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Ethernet Cables, Phone Cables, and Connections
Ethernet ports and cables resemble telephone connections and
lines, but are thicker and wider. To determine whether a cable is an
Ethernet or phone cable, look at the end and count the number of
wires or contacts in the connector. Ethernet (RJ-45) connectors
have eight contacts, whereas standard phone line (RJ-11)
connectors have four, as shown in the following diagram.
RJ-45 Ethernet
(8 wires)
Use only Ethernet cables to connect to your base station. Plugging
a phone jack into the base station could damage the base station.
Straight-Through and Crossover Ethernet Cables
Data is sent and received through specific wires in Ethernet cables.
Depending on the arrangement of the send and receive wires
within the cable, Ethernet cables may be the straight-through type
or the crossover type.
Most broadband modems are connected to computers through
Ethernet, and they may use straight-through or crossover cables.
To connect the modem to the base station, it is important to use
the original cable that came with your modem, or the same type.
To connect computers to the base station, you should
use straight-through Ethernet cables. If the blue cable provided in
your kit is not long enough for your needs, you can use any
straight-through cable.
RJ-11 Telephone
(4 or 6 wires)
Chapter 1: Introduction 7
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