networking two pc's

[STEVENS]

I'm trying to connect two PC at a friends house. We used Cat5 cable with the 568A wiring scheme. Can I run a 568A cable from one computer to a jack, then use a crossover cable from the jack to the second PC? How do I make a crossover cable?

[ahajdar]

Why make a cross-over cable when you can easily buy one cheap? Plus, you can go even cheaper and buy cross-over jack!

If you cannot find specs for the cross-over cable on the net, than you should go to the store and compare regular cable to cross-over. There is nothing much to it...last 3 links (wires) are inversed to the first 3 positions in this types of cable.

Good Luck!

[dominique]

I have to agree with ahajdar, buying a cross-over cable will probably be cheaper than making one on your own since you'd have to buy a regular cable in the first place and then buy the pliers necessary to make the adjustments.

If on the other hand you already have a regular cable and think that you can open the plastic plug without breaking it, this site shows a clear diagram of how you should cross the wires.

[Slade]

IMHO, I wouldn't do anything fancy to the jacks.

Later on, there may be other devices that would want to live in this network. (print server, laptop, another friends pc for all night fragging)

If you're using 568A, stick with that for both jack boxes.

Buy or build 1 standard 568A to 568A cable for one of the pcs. (Pc to jack)

Buy or build 1 clearly labled crossover cable for the other end. (jack to PC)

Crossover cables are created as: 568A on one end, and 568B on the other. I believe B is wired:

White Orange
Orange
White Green
Blue
White Blue
GreenWhite Brown
Brown

Left to Right, looking down on the plug, pointed cable end toward you, with tab on bottom.
Reasoning behind not making up a special crossover jack: If you add a hub on either end, you would need another crossover cable to keep it all working.

[STEVENS]

I was thinking the same thing about future expansion so I did what you just said and everything works great now. Thanks!