Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsHard
A network technician needs to connect two Cisco switches directly to each other using a console cable to configure them. Which type of cable is required for this connection?
- AFiber optic cable
- BRollover (console) cable
- CEthernet crossover cable
- DEthernet straight-through cable
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Rollover (console) cable
To connect to a Cisco device's console port for initial configuration, a rollover cable (also known as a console cable or a Yost cable) is required. This cable connects a standard serial port (or a USB-to-serial adapter) on a computer to the RJ-45 console port on the Cisco device.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Fiber optic cables are used for high-speed data transmission over longer distances, not for console configuration access.
- C. An Ethernet crossover cable is used for connecting similar network devices (e.g., switch to switch, PC to PC) for data communication, not console access.
- D. An Ethernet straight-through cable is used for connecting dissimilar network devices (e.g., PC to switch, router to switch) for data communication, not console access.
Cisco Console Cable (Rollover)
A Cisco console cable, commonly called a rollover cable, is used to connect a computer's serial port (or a USB-to-serial adapter) to the RJ-45 console port of a Cisco network device for out-of-band management and configuration.
- Used for initial configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco devices.
- Has an RJ-45 connector on one end and typically a DB-9 or USB on the other.
- The pinout is 'rolled over' from one end to the other.
- Provides command-line interface (CLI) access.
Memory trick: Data is straight or crossed, Console is Rolled, Fiber is Light.