Identifying Cable Issues for Network Connectivity

A computer lab on a campus network was recently reconfigured using recycled network cables.

One of the 24 computers in the lab is unable to connect to the network after the upgrade.

A network technician successfully uses the cable in question to connect directly to another computer.

Which of the following is MOST likely the issue with the cable?

A.

The cable is a crossover cable

B.

The cable is a rollover cable

C.

The cable has bent pins

D.

The cable is a Cat 5 cable.

A.

The most likely issue with the cable is that it is a crossover cable.

Crossover cables are used to connect two devices of the same type directly, such as two computers or two switches. However, in a network setup, regular straight-through cables are used to connect devices of different types, such as a computer to a switch or a router.

Since the network technician was able to use the cable to connect directly to another computer, it suggests that the cable is functioning correctly. Therefore, the issue may be that the computer is not able to connect to the network because it is using a crossover cable instead of a straight-through cable.

Rollover cables are used to connect devices such as routers or switches to a console port, for configuration purposes. They are not typically used in a computer lab setup.

Bent pins on a cable can cause connectivity issues, but if the technician was able to use the cable to connect directly to another computer, it suggests that the pins are not the issue.

The fact that the cable is a Cat 5 cable is not relevant to the connectivity issue, as Cat 5 cables are commonly used in network setups and are capable of supporting data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps.