The correct cable type for connecting to a switch in a wiring closet

[1Drisnil]

Hi!

I am a bit confused with the correct cable type to use in an FastEthernet application when using 2950 Catalyst switches; model WS-C2950G-48-EI & Version 12.1(6)EA2a software release.

I was under the impression that to connect a NIC card directly to a switch depending on if an X exists on a port, one uses either a crossover or a straight thru cable.

In my company's wiring closet, the patch panel in use is a template frame (panduit) holding Mini-com Cat5e datajacks ( which use the T586B wiring scheme) and then using a standard 586B patch cable goes directly into a switchport.

Is there an issue here I need to address or is the cable the correct type for this application?



"...understanding "The Why" is half the battle!" - Anonymous.

 

[bierhunter]

You're right. Going from a NIC to a switch you should use a straight-thru cable. Using walljacks and patch panels, the required connections are taken into consideration in the design of the parts. When using patch panels and walljacks, just consider it an extension of the patch cable.

So you would have:

Host NIC to walljack = straight-thru patch cord
Patchpanel to switch = straight-thru patch cord

As long as you keep the same standard (ie...568B) throughout your entire cabling scheme, you'll be ok.

 

[1Drisnil]

Thanxs, bierhunter!

So I am to understand that as long as the cable drop in the wall follows one wiring scheme (586B in this case) that depending on the network devices the host nics are connecting to dictates what wiring scheme is used bewteen that host nice, walljack, patch panel ?

Question I have is this...If there is a patch cable(568B) going directly from a nic to the switch, this should be changed to a straight thru cable,eh? Why does it work with an ethernet patch cable (Cat5/568B)?

How is a system designed so that a standard 586B patch cable is used from the hostNIC to the wall jack, then from the wiring closet Patch Panel to Network Switch ?





"...understanding "The Why" is half the battle!" - Anonymous.

 

[1Drisnil]

I think I got it now, bierhunter! Straight-thru cable is the same on both ends, and a cross-over cable is 586A on one end and 586B on the other end.

Roll-over is 1 thru 8 on one end and 8 thru 1 on the other.

As long as you stick to one wiring scheme throughout I should be fine, eh?

Thanxs again for your insight.

"...understanding "The Why" is half the battle!" - Anonymous.

 

[bierhunter]

You got it!

You're very welcome.

 

[MJewell]

> Roll-over is 1 thru 8 on one end and 8 thru 1 on the other.

just so you know, these are comonly Cisco console cables...

-Mike