Identifying cat 5 patch cable

[Master363]

I still have the cable I used to connect to the LAN when I lived on campus. I want to connect two computers without a hub (I know, cheap. ). I need to know if I have a crossover cable. I scoured the net for info, but couldn't find anything at all. The labeling on the cable goes as such:

Belkin Components Category 5 Patch Cable #R7J304 Verified (UL) Cat 5 4PR 24AWG Type CM or MP E129760 CSA Type PCC FT4 LL80671 ETL Verified to TIA/EIA 568A ISO/IEC 11801

I would assume R7J304 is an older designation for the newer A7J304. I'm almost completely new to networking outside of using a parallel-to-parallel port connection (slooooooooooooooow). I'd like to use my old pc (minus monitor that died, so it is of relatively little use) as a storage unit for mp3's, etc. so I'm not clogging up my parents' machine, which has the internet connection. ....storage with ability to share across internet P2P networks. Gonna have a lot of questions. Have been trying for last 2 days to get this together.

[bailey]

it might be best for you to go to a computer store and buy a crossover cable or have one made up for you

you could convert the stright through cable you now have by cutting off one end and installing a new RJ45 connector wored for a crossover.

the only differance between the two is the green and orange wires are reversed on one end, making it a crossover.
you also would need to buy a crimper to do this, so just buying one would be much cheaper.

if you have not ever done this before, you may not be succsesful the first time, so you would also need to buy several connectors, once there crimped you can't uncrimp them, must do it oner with a new one,

then you should have the cable tested to make sure that it was wired correctly, which would be more cost.

[Master363]

Thank you, Bailey.
When I bought the NIC for my parents' computer, the tech at the store sold me an adaptor to go on one end of the cord (looks like a small box that goes between the connector on the end of the wire and the port on the NIC. Is this what I need to cross-over without reattaching an entirely new end? If so, does it matter which computer's NIC it plugs into? ...or do I need such an adaptor for both ends?

Pardon my ignorance

[Panama Red]

Here's a diagram I use for reference.


http://www.d3data.net/Help/HowTo_WireCAT5.htm

[bailey]

to be honest with you, I would not use any kind of adapter as it is another source of a bad connection, and not knowing exactly what you have, I can't say anything about it.
just go buy a crossover cable, there really cheap, and usally I like to have them a differant color or lables some way so that you won't forget that it is a cross-over.

on another point, it would not be a bad idea to learn how to make up both types of cable for future use, its not very hard to learn.

just buy a crimper, a few ends and some cable, and just practice a few.
youll catch on quickly, use the chart in the above link, print it out and watch the collors carefully.

[glc]

Hold the cable so the ends are side-by-side and look carefully at the wire colors. If the 2 ends are identical, it's a straight through cable, if not, it's a crossover.

If you need a crossover, just go buy one. It's cheaper than buying the supplies and tools you need to make one. We no longer make our own patch cords, the machine made ones are always better as they are guaranteed to meet specs. The subcontractor we use to do network cabling feels the same way - he has all the tools, etc. but he will not make patch cords.