Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsMedium
A network administrator wants to connect a new workstation to an existing switch using a standard straight-through Ethernet cable. The workstation's network interface card (NIC) and the switch port both support Auto-MDIX. What will be the result of this connection?
- AThe connection will establish, but at half-duplex only.
- BThe connection will establish successfully due to Auto-MDIX.
- CThe connection will fail because a crossover cable is required.
- DThe switch port will automatically shut down due to an incorrect cable type.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The connection will establish successfully due to Auto-MDIX.
Auto-MDIX (Automatic Medium-Dependent Interface Crossover) is a feature on many modern network devices that automatically detects the required cable type (straight-through or crossover) and adjusts the interface accordingly. Since both the workstation and switch support it, a straight-through cable will work correctly.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Auto-negotiation for speed and duplex is a separate process, though often co-occurs with Auto-MDIX. The presence of Auto-MDIX does not inherently limit the connection to half-duplex.
- C. A crossover cable would traditionally be needed to connect two similar devices (e.g., switch to switch, host to host) without Auto-MDIX. With Auto-MDIX, a straight-through cable works.
- D. Switches do not typically shut down ports due to an incorrect cable type when Auto-MDIX is enabled; they adapt to the cable.
Auto-MDIX
Auto-MDIX (Automatic Medium-Dependent Interface Crossover) is a feature on Ethernet ports that automatically detects the required cable type (straight-through or crossover) and configures the interface's transmit and receive pairs accordingly.
- Eliminates the need for specific cable types for device connections.
- Automatically adjusts for straight-through or crossover cables.
- Common on modern switches, routers, and NICs.
Memory trick: Auto-MDIX is like a smart adapter, it figures out the cable's job.