Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsEasy
A network technician needs to connect two Cisco switches directly using a standard Gigabit Ethernet copper cable without relying on Auto-MDIX. Which cable type should the technician use to guarantee connectivity?
- ACoaxial cable
- BRollover cable
- CStraight-through cable
- DCrossover cable
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Crossover cable
When Auto-MDIX is not available or disabled, connecting two like devices (switch-to-switch) requires a crossover cable so that the transmit pins on one device align with the receive pins on the other.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Coaxial cable is used for older cable broadband or video connections, not Ethernet switch links.
- B. Rollover cables are used for console management connections, not data links.
- C. Straight-through cables are used to connect unlike devices, such as a switch to a PC or router.
Crossover Cable
An Ethernet cable wiring scheme (T568A on one end, T568B on the other) used to directly connect two like devices such as switch-to-switch or PC-to-PC.
- Needed without Auto-MDIX for like-device connections
- Straight-through connects unlike devices (PC-switch)
- Modern NICs/switches usually have Auto-MDIX to auto-detect
Memory trick: 'Like needs a twist' — like devices need crossover.