A rollover cable is a type of Ethernet cable used primarily for serial communication with network devices, such as routers and switches. It is commonly used for console connections to configure and manage network equipment through a terminal or terminal emulation program.
Key Characteristics of Rollover Cables:
Wiring Configuration:
- Pinout: The pinout of a rollover cable is essentially the reverse of a standard Ethernet cable. This means that pin 1 on one end connects to pin 8 on the other end, pin 2 connects to pin 7, and so on. This is why it's sometimes called a "null modem" cable in serial communication contexts.
- Example Configuration:
- Pin 1 to Pin 8
- Pin 2 to Pin 7
- Pin 3 to Pin 6
- Pin 4 to Pin 5
- Pin 5 to Pin 4
- Pin 6 to Pin 3
- Pin 7 to Pin 2
- Pin 8 to Pin 1
Purpose:
- Console Connection: Rollover cables are used to connect a computer’s serial port to the console port of network devices like routers and switches for configuration and management. The console port is typically an RS-232 serial interface.
- Device Configuration: They allow network administrators to access the command-line interface (CLI) of network devices for initial setup, troubleshooting, and management.
Construction:
- Cable Type: Rollover cables use the same twisted-pair cabling as standard Ethernet cables, but with a different pinout. They are usually connected to a DB-9 (9-pin) or DB-25 (25-pin) serial connector on one end and an RJ-45 (8-pin) connector on the other end.
- Color Coding: Unlike standard Ethernet cables, rollover cables have a non-standard color coding due to the reversal of pinouts.
Serial to Console Adapter:
- Adapter Use: In many cases, rollover cables are used in conjunction with a serial-to-USB adapter to connect modern computers (which often lack serial ports) to the RJ-45 console ports of network devices.
Differences from Other Cables:
- Rollover vs. Straight-Through Cable: A straight-through Ethernet cable follows the same pinout configuration on both ends, while a rollover cable reverses the pinout configuration.
- Rollover vs. Crossover Cable: A crossover cable is used to connect similar network devices directly (e.g., two computers), while a rollover cable is used for serial console connections.
Summary:
- Rollover Cable: Used for serial console connections to configure and manage network devices.
- Pinout Configuration: Reverses the pinout from one end to the other, making it a unique type of cable compared to straight-through and crossover cables.
- Purpose: Primarily connects a computer’s serial port to the console port of network devices like routers and switches.
- Construction: Typically features an RJ-45 connector on one end and a DB-9 or DB-25 serial connector on the other end.
Understanding rollover cables is essential for network administrators who need to perform configuration and management tasks on network devices using serial console connections.
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