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Creating a local area network

Two types of local area networks
There are two main types of local network architecture:

Wired networks, based on the Ethernet technology, which represent almost all local area networks.
Given that Ethernet networks generally use RJ45 cables, people often talk of RJ45 networks;
Wireless networks, which generally use the WiFi technology.

Necessary hardware using first procedure

To create an RJ45 local area network in Windows, you will need:

Several computers running Windows (computers running two different versions of Windows can be
part of the same network);
Ethernet cards on a PCI or ISA port (with an RJ45 plug) or built into the motherboard. When
applicable, make sure the diodes on the back of the network card light up when the computer is on and
that a cable is plugged in! There are also network adapters for USB ports, particularly in the case of
wireless network adapters;
RJ45 cables in the case of wired networks;
A hub, a device you can connect the RJ45 cables from the network's various computers to, which are
fairly inexpensive (expect to pay around 50), or a switch, or, as an alternative option, a crossover
cable if you want to connect just two computers.

Network architecture
To create an RJ45 local area network, it is recommended that you adopt a so-called "star" structure, where the
computers are each connected to the hub via an RJ45 cable. A hub is a device that transfers data from one
computer to another. The choice of hub will be made in function of the number of connected computers in
order to have enough plugs (called "ports") on the hub.
In the event of a large network or a network with substantial bandwidth requirements, a switch will favorably
replace the hub, as it makes it possible to distribute packets only to the computers concerned, whereas a hub
systematically sends packets to all connected computers.
The structure of such a network looks like this:

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If you want to connect two computers only, it is possible to avoid using a hub, by directly connecting the two
computers with a crossover RJ45 cable.

Architectures to avoid
The following network structures will not work, even if they appear to be correct at first, unless the computers
have several network interfaces (several cards) and the cables used between two computers are crossover
cables:
Incorrect RJ45 network

Creating an RJ45 crossover cable

RJ45 plug
A network card may have several types of connectors, with the most common being:

An RJ45 connector;
A BNC connector (coaxial cable).

The RJ-45 is the one which interests us here, as it the most widely used. The cables used are called twisted
pairs, as they are made up of four pairs of wires braided together. Each pair of wires is made up of a solidcolored wire and a wire marked with stripes of that same color. It is highly recommended to use a category 5
cable between 3 and 90 meters long. There are two wiring standards which differ in the position of the orange
and green pairs, defined by the Electronic Industry Association/Telecommunications Industry Association:

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TIA/EIA 568A

TIA/EIA 568B

RJ45 connector on a male plug seen from the front, with contacts pointing up.

Patch cable
RJ45 is normally used to connect computers by way of a hub (a distribution box into which the RJ45 cables
coming from the local area network computers are connected) or a switch.

When a computer is connected into a hub or switch, the cable used is called a patch cable, which means that a
wire linked to plug 1 on one end is linked to plug 1 on the other end. The standard generally used for making
patch cables is TIA/EIA T568A; however, there are also TIA/EIA T568B patch cables (the only difference is the
colors of some of the wires, which does not affect the proper functioning of the connection, as long as the
wires are joined the same way).

Why use a crossover cable

A hub is very useful for connecting many computers, and overall is faster than a coaxial cable connection.
Nevertheless, to connect two machines to one another, there is a way to avoid having to use a hub.
It involves using a crossover cable (also called a cross cable), which has two wire that cross over one another.
The recommended standard for this type of cable is TIA/EIA T568A for one of the ends, and TIA/EIA T568B
for the other. This kind of cable can, of course, be purchased, but it is very easy to make on one's own.

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Making a crossover cable (for Pear-to-pear connection)

To make an RJ45 crossover cable, buy a patch cable, split it in the middle, and then reconnect the wires as
follows:

Name
TD+
TDRD+
Not used
Not used
RDNot used
Not used

End 1
End 2
Color
Name
Color
1 White/Green RD+
3 White/Orange
2 Green
RD6 orange
3 White/Orange TD+
1 White/Green
4 Blue
Not used 4 Blue
5 White/Blue Not used 5 White/Blue
6 orange
TD2 Green
7 White/Brown: Not used 7 White/Brown:
8 Brown
Not used 8 Brown

Making a Straight cable(When Connection Device used)

To make an RJ45 Straight Cable reconnects the wires as follows:
Both End Same
Name
Color
RD+
White/Orange
RDorange
TD+
White/Green
Not used Blue
Not used White/Blue
TDGreen
Not used White/Brown:
Not used Brown