Is a LAN cable the same as an ethernet cable ?

[Martin200261]

(26 November 2012, 23:25)Skean Dhude Wrote:

(26 November 2012, 15:48)BeardyMan Wrote:

(26 November 2012, 13:37)Skean Dhude Wrote: NR,

Although Gary is correct the coax versions went obsolete a long time ago. RJ45 is the norm now and it doesn't matter what colour it is either. Colours are just used to identity lines.

Colour does matter - the yellow ones are patch cables to connect 2 computers directly, with no router.

BM,

Not true. I have in my possession right now a yellow cable that connects my laptop directly to a router. You can get RJ45 with that type of connection but it is not the norm and if they are identified by yellow then that is a manufacturers identifying colour not an industry standard.

I use the yellow myself because few people have them as most are grey and I can identify mine by a look.

I use all sorts of colours, the colours are normally used to identify types of circuits and I'm not aware of any industry standard for this.

Just make sure you use a straight through cable and not a crossover, the crossover cables are used to connect computers direct to each other or to connect a hub/switch to a network port, the straight through cables are used for everything else - look at the cable colours inside the plastic plug on each end, if they are in the same order then it is wired straight through - most are.

Quick illustration - http://www.nullmodem.com/RJ-45.htm