http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.as...l%20Networking
How to tell straight cable from a crossover cable:
The main way to tell the difference between the two cable types is to compare the wiring order on the ends of the cable. If the wiring is the same on both sides, it is straight cable. If one side has opposite wiring, it is a crossover cable.
All you need to remember to properly configure the cables is the pinout order of the two cable ends and the following rules:
A straight-thru cable has identical ends
A crossover cable has different ends
It makes no functional difference which standard you follow for straight cable ends, as long as both ends are the same. You can start a crossover cable with either standard as long as the other end is the other standard. It makes no functional difference which end is which.
The order in which you pin the cable is important. Using a pattern other than what is specified in the above diagram could cause connection problems.
When to use a crossover cable and when to use a straight cable:
Computer to Gamecube – Crossover
Computer to an normal port on a Hub/Switch – Straight
Computer to an uplink port on a Hub/Switch - Crossover
Hub/Switch uplink port to another Hub/Switch uplink port – Crossover
Hub/Switch uplink port to another Hub/Switch normal port - Straight