Crestron e-Control Reference Manual page 8

Software
4 • Crestron e-Control®
Twisted-pair cabling is available in different grades or categories. About 85% of the
networks in the U.S. use standard unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) Category 5 cable
because it offers a performance advantage
over lower grades, and because it supports
both Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks.
Crestron recommends using UTP Cat 5
cabling for use in e-Control.
The most common type of network cable is
a straight-through cable, which, as its
name indicates, allows data to travel along
a straight path through the cable to its destination. A straight-through cable is used to
connect a computer, control system, or touchpanel to a hub or switch. This is because
the send and receive connections on the hub or switch are the reverse of those on the
device's network card or adapter. Thus, data goes "straight" from a send connection
on the device to a receive connection on the hub or switch.
In contrast, crossover cables are useful for connecting any two network devices
whose send and receive connections are the same. For example, many cable modems
require a crossover cable to connect to a router. Here the cable "crosses" connections,
allowing send connections to be directed to receive connections, and vice versa.
You should always know the type of cable a connection requires.
When UTP Cat 5 cabling is used, straight-through cabling is inserted between each
network device and the hub or switch. If you have five devices, you'll need five
cables.
Crestron e-Control
Reference Guide – DOC. 6052
®