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Hardware Installation 9
EtheRx User’s Guide - Rev. B00 Kingston Technology Company
Using a Straight-Through Cable
Using a Crossover Cable
Fig. 1-4 Cable Switch functions
Notes on MDI and MDI-X Ports
MDI (Media Dependent Interface) is the IEEE 10BASE-T standard for the
interface to the UTP cable. For two 10BASE-T devices to communicate with
each other, the transmitter of one device must be connected to the receiver of
the other device. This can be achieved by using a crossover cable, or by using
one MDI-X port that implements the cross-over internally.
Port 1 through Port 7 (or 15), like all normal hub ports, are configured MDI-X.
All NICs (Network Interface Cards) and Router ports are usually by default
configured MDI. A simple illustration shows the relationship of cable types to
port types:
Switch
Position
Port
Config
For Connection to
another Hub Port (MDI-X)
For Connection to a
Network Adapter (MDI)
MDI-X Use Crossover cable Use Straight-through cable
MDI Use Straight-through cable Use Crossover cable
Table 1-5 Cable Switch functions