Microsoft MN-500 User Manual

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8     Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station User’s Guide 
 
 
Straight-Through Ethernet Cable 
In a straight-through Ethernet cable, the order of the colored wires is the same at both 
ends, as shown in the following illustration. The blue cable that comes with your base 
station is a straight-through Ethernet cable.  
 
The numbers 
represent 
wire colors.
 
 
Crossover Ethernet Cable 
In a crossover Ethernet cable, the order of the colored wires is different at both ends, 
as shown in the following illustration.  
 
The numbers 
represent 
wire colors.
 
 
Which Cable Should You Use? 
To connect your base station to a broadband modem, you should use either the cable 
that came with your modem or the same type of cable that came with your modem, 
straight-through or crossover. If you are unsure about the type of Ethernet cable to 
use, see the documentation for your broadband modem.  
To connect your base station to one or more computers, you should use straight-
through Ethernet cables. If the blue cable provided with your base station is not long 
enough for your needs, you can use any straight-through cable.