Ethernet cables, several types?

My very dear people,

I learnt today that there were two types of Ethernet cables:
? the "twisted" one you use for connecting two comp's just like that
? the "straight" one you plug in a hub that does the twisting

As I cannot get my computers to ping each other, even though it should be
simple and I did all the 'ifconfig's and 'route add's, I thought the cable
could be the problem, if the one we've got here was of the wrong kind.

Apart from checking on the box, as it's probably been recycled already, how
can I check what kind my cable is? (Unless you don't confirm the first
statement...)


Thanks for any info about this...


--
Mickybadia [http://mickybadia.free.fr/]

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In message <4005cf51$0$19284$(E-Mail Removed)>, Mickybadia
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>My very dear people,
>
>I learnt today that there were two types of Ethernet cables:
>? the "twisted" one you use for connecting two comp's just like that
>? the "straight" one you plug in a hub that does the twisting
>
>As I cannot get my computers to ping each other, even though it should be
>simple and I did all the 'ifconfig's and 'route add's, I thought the cable
>could be the problem, if the one we've got here was of the wrong kind.
>
>Apart from checking on the box, as it's probably been recycled already, how
>can I check what kind my cable is? (Unless you don't confirm the first
>statement...)

You mention a box, which suggests that you bought a networking kit.
These usually have a crossover cable in the box. If you buy an ethernet
cable you will get a straight through cable unless you specifically ask
for a crossover type. If you look carefully you can usually see the
order of the wires inside the transparent plug. If it's a
straight-through cable the coloured wires will be in the same order in
both plugs.

You will usually find LEDs on the network cards and these light up or
change colour when a correctly connected cable is plugged in.

Check the TCP/IP system at each end. First use each machine to ping
itself. Use the command:

ping 127.0.0.1

This should work if the networking software is installed properly. Next
check the TCP/IP settings. Check what IP addresses are assigned to the
network cards at each end, check the net mask too. Try setting the
numbers manually. Set one machine to 192.168.1.1 and the other to
192.168.1.2 and set the net mask to 255.255.255.0 on both of them.


--
Bernard Peek
London, UK. DBA, Manager, Trainer & Author. Will work for money.

Bernard Peek wrote:

> You mention a box, which suggests that you bought a networking kit.

Em, no. I meant the plastic wrapping the only cable was in. My father went
and asked for *a* network cable, so according to what you say, it is
probably the wrong kind:
> If you buy an ethernet cable you will get a straight through cable unless
> you specifically ask for a crossover type.

D**n it... I'll check on the wire colours as soon as I can but it doesn't
sound promissing. My only hope: this all happened in France... Is the
default value for network cables the same?? :-)


Thank you for the ping tip, but I'm afraid I'd done that already, and that's
what made me think the cable could be the problem...


Just in case: is there anything I can do myself to make the cable behave the
way I want? Like stick some other plug thing at one end or change the
wiring myself? Or is this crazy? I probably won't be able to have it
changed in the shop (welcome to France)


--
Mickybadia [http://mickybadia.free.fr/]

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In message <4005de21$0$29084$(E-Mail Removed)>, Mickybadia
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>Bernard Peek wrote:
>
>> You mention a box, which suggests that you bought a networking kit.
>
>Em, no. I meant the plastic wrapping the only cable was in. My father went
>and asked for *a* network cable, so according to what you say, it is
>probably the wrong kind:
>> If you buy an ethernet cable you will get a straight through cable unless
>> you specifically ask for a crossover type.
>
>D**n it... I'll check on the wire colours as soon as I can but it doesn't
>sound promissing. My only hope: this all happened in France... Is the
>default value for network cables the same?? :-)

Yes. It looks as if you have a straight-through cable.
>
>
>Thank you for the ping tip, but I'm afraid I'd done that already, and that's
>what made me think the cable could be the problem...
>
>
>Just in case: is there anything I can do myself to make the cable behave the
>way I want? Like stick some other plug thing at one end or change the
>wiring myself? Or is this crazy? I probably won't be able to have it
>changed in the shop (welcome to France)

There are crossover connectors available. These link two network cables
together. So you could buy another 1m cable and a crossover connector.
In the UK I would suggest Maplins as a supplier.



--
Bernard Peek
London, UK. DBA, Manager, Trainer & Author. Will work for money.

Bernard Peek wrote:

> It looks as if you have a straight-through cable.

Indeed I have, I've just checked. Grumpf, why don't the shops ask these
things??

> There are crossover connectors available. These link two network cables
> together. So you could buy another 1m cable and a crossover connector.


Thanks for your answer, now I know what's wrong, and hopefully when I get
the cable straight -- er, no, crossed :-) -- nothing else will go
wrong.


--
Mickybadia [http://mickybadia.free.fr/]

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Hi Mickybadia

Yes there are two types.

1) Go to http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable5.htm fisrt
which has a very good writeup on them and the connections.

2) Also go to http://www.9thtee.com/networkingts.htm
Which has information as well and on 'wall mounted' connectors.

3) Do as suggested below and look at the ends. If wrong - CAREFULLY
strip back a bit of the outer covering near the end, identify which
wires need reversing, cut them and join in the new arrangement. Use a
connection block or insulate well. Tie cables in a knot so that the
temporary joint can't be pulled apart. May save your life.

4) Don't panic or be conned into buying any highly expensive cables as
they wont work any better over a small length!!

(How can PC World sell 'super high quality 56k modem leads which will
'speed up your internet connection with oxygen free copper etc etc and
such shit words when they are only carrying the same as grotty old Telco
wires down the street - think about it!!)


Mike


Bernard Peek wrote:
> In message <4005de21$0$29084$(E-Mail Removed)>, Mickybadia
> <(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>
>> Bernard Peek wrote:
>>
>>> You mention a box, which suggests that you bought a networking kit.
>>
>>
>> Em, no. I meant the plastic wrapping the only cable was in. My father
>> went
>> and asked for *a* network cable, so according to what you say, it is
>> probably the wrong kind:
>>
>>> If you buy an ethernet cable you will get a straight through cable
>>> unless
>>> you specifically ask for a crossover type.
>>
>>
>> D**n it... I'll check on the wire colours as soon as I can but it doesn't
>> sound promissing. My only hope: this all happened in France... Is the
>> default value for network cables the same?? :-)
>
>
> Yes. It looks as if you have a straight-through cable.
>
>>
>>
>> Thank you for the ping tip, but I'm afraid I'd done that already, and
>> that's
>> what made me think the cable could be the problem...
>>
>>
>> Just in case: is there anything I can do myself to make the cable
>> behave the
>> way I want? Like stick some other plug thing at one end or change the
>> wiring myself? Or is this crazy? I probably won't be able to have it
>> changed in the shop (welcome to France)
>
>
> There are crossover connectors available. These link two network cables
> together. So you could buy another 1m cable and a crossover connector.
> In the UK I would suggest Maplins as a supplier.
>
>
>

Hi all! m wrote:

> 1) Go to http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable5.htm fisrt
> which has a very good writeup on them and the connections.

Thanks a lot for this link!!
I rewired my cable, and now the leds on the network cards are lit. I can
also ping a comp from another. So basically, it works now. Nothing did I
first know about this cross-over/straight-through choice. I still think the
shop should have asked for a bit more details.

Anyway, iptables still tells me "Invalid argument". I've opened a thread for
that. It is still open if you know what's wrong.


--
Mickybadia [http://mickybadia.free.fr/]

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