Re: Ethernet x-over cable

For more than 2 devices you are going to have to use
some form of hub.  Each ethernet cable has one pair
of wires for transmit, and one pair for receive.  It is
one on one communication with the other end.

For 2 PCs you make a crossover cable and plug one end
into your NIC card and the other to the other NIC card,
and the NIC cards talk to each other.

For 3 PCs you would have to use a standard cable, and
plug each computer from the NIC card to the hub.

You can get a hub very cheap (downwards from like $200)
for a small one, such as a stackable mini hub from Black
Box corporation is 8 port and you can connect more than
one together to get 16, 24 ports.. etc.  Each is $218.95
(according to their latest catalog).

Even cheaper is something called a Compact Workgroup Hub
which is also 8 port, doesn't seem to be expandable though,
but costs only $179.00.

If you really want to go cheap, they have an OfficeConnect Hub
TP/4 with 4 connectors for $44.46.

So, there are 3 solutions, ranging from $44.46 to $218.95.  And,
if you want bigger and better, they have them too.  For $50 or so
with shipping, I don't think you can beat it.  If you want a network
you really should look into hubs.

Regards,

Jim Langston



PaulMmn wrote:

> Using a pin-out diagram from somewhere on-line, I built a 'null hub' in a
> 2-jack phone jack.  It allows use of standard cables.
>
> If you number the pins 87654321 as you look at the 'business end' of each 
>jack,
> connect pin 6 to pin 2, and pin 3 to pin 1 (do the same starting at the 2nd
> jack).
>
> This works nicely for 2 devices.
>
> Does anyone have a pinout diagram for 3 or more devices, or does this
> require active circuitry?
>
> --Paul E Musselman
> PaulMmn@ix.netcom.com
>
> >I need to build a x-over cable to allow me to connect two PCs without using 
>an
> >ethernet hub. What I don't know is the pinout and which pair(s?) need to be
> >crossed.
> >
> >Can anyone help me out?

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