Which ethernet wires go where

[Dale Farnsworth]

Josef wrote:
> Thanks to everyone who has responded to my several questions 
> on this subject, but I still do not have any information on 
> how to hook up this Asante ethernet 5-port hub that I now have
> (it actually has six "ports"), and how can I tell if I have the 
> right kind of cables?  One is red, one is blue, and one is yellow. 
> 
> I have received bits and pieces of information from several 
> kind folks (along with a couple of sarcastic rants hinting at 
> how stupid I am).  I am sorry that I need can't read between 
> the lines on this, and I have searched the 'net looking for 
> a wiring diagaram, but have not been able to find one. 
> 
> As I said, there are actually six "ports" on this Asante hub. 
> One is labeled "Uplink" and the other five are numbered 1 thru 5. 
> I have three RJ45 wires, but how can I tell if they are the 
> correct wires (i.e. straight-thru -vs- crossover)? 
> 
> When I try to examine the wire colors in the three patch 
> cords I have, the color combinations seem to be different 
> from one cord to another and from one end of each cord to 
> the other. 
> 
> Into which of the six ports do I connect the 2-wire modem/router? 
> Into which of the six ports do I connect the two (or more) 
> computers --- i.e. in what sequence? 
> 
> I realize that all of this is "automatic" to all of you brilliant 
> gurus, but for those of us who have never connected anything like 
> this, it is frustrating to try to sort out bits and pieces of 
> incomplete information. 

Apparently, you have an older 5-port hub.  The ports labeled 1-5
are identical.  The connector labeled "uplink" is wired to the port
physically closest to it (either 1 or 5).  The uplink connector
just has receive and transmit reversed, so plugging a crossover
cable into "uplink" is the same as plugging a straight-through
into its companion port (the one next to it) and vice-versa.
You can use either the uplink port or its companion, you can't
use both at the same time.

Most likely your cables are straight-through, though there is
a remote possibility that the cable from your existing modem
to your computer is a crossover.  I'd recommend that you use
that cable to connect your modem to your hub.  Plug that cable
into the "uplink" connector.  When both ends are plugged in
and powered up, if the lights near the connectors on your modem
and hub light up, all is well.  If the lights don't come on,
unplug the cable from the uplink connector and plug it into
the connector physically closest to the uplink connector.

Then, connect a cable from one of your computers to one of the
remaining ports on the hub.  Again, if both ends light up,
all is well.

No damage is caused by plugging in a crossover cable where a
straight through is needed; it just won't work (no lights).

Good luck.

-Dale