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[snapty00]

As far as Cat5 network cables are concerned, does it matter whether you use a crossover or straight-through cable, anymore?

I bought a 25-foot crossover cable a few days ago, and I've used it to connect all sorts of things together: computers to computers, routers to computers, routers to routers, etc. In every case, it worked properly. I did this without even remembering that I would need a straight-through in some of these cases. Only after I had connected the devices did I realize what I had done.

So are devices made to accept both cables nowadays or what?

 

[The Shadow]

A lot of new devices have "auto-sensing" ports that'll allow you to use either cable for any connection. I'm using a cross-over cable from my PC to a D-Link router for instance, because all my straight-through cables are too short.

That doesn't mean everything is capable though. I have a SMC router that I bought at the same time as the D-Link and it doesn't work unless every lan client is using straight-through cables. I also had an older Webramp router that would only work if the WAN port was connected to a modem via a cross-over cable.

 

[snapty00]

That's interesting. I didn't know that.

I'm guessing all of my stuff now has autosensing, because I've been using crossover cables for every connection. I haven't had any problems using a crossover cable for anything.

In fact, a computer store near me only sells crossover cables now.