Ethernet Connections

You can provide an Ethernet connection with either of the following devices:

Hub. A hub is a device for connecting Ethernet ports when you have more than one device on your Ethernet network. If you use a hub, use straight-through Ethernet cable.

To find out if you are using the correct cable, look at the two ends of the cable. The sequence of the colored wires should be the same.

Back-to-back 10BaseT cable (also called a cross-over cable). Use this cable to connect the router directly to your PC when the PC is the only device on your Ethernet network.

To find out if you are using the correct cable, look at the two ends of the cable. The sequence of the colored wires should be different.

Check that the Ethernet connection is attached properly:

On the hubs, the LED labeled Link OK is on if you are connected properly. (On older hubs, this LED might be disabled.)
When you plug the Ethernet cable into the router, the Link OK LED on the router is on if you are connected properly. If the LED is not on, you are using the wrong cable or the cable is damaged.
If you have already clicked new-router.cisco.com, the LAN RX LED on the router blinks if you are connected properly. If it is not blinking, you are using the wrong cable.

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