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Network Lights

hello

I need some understanding when it comes networking.
when I plug a cat 5 cable into my computer, a light illuminates from the female jack.
exactly what does that signify.

to that end... my patch cable goes to my wall jack, which is fed from a switch , which is fed from another switch, which is fed ( for internet ) by my router, which is fed by my cable modem. which one of those devices or connections are causing my computer's sock to illuminate?

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DrAtomic

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johannortje

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Mr Tortu(r)e

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Member_2_406981

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intelogent

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ok,

so then if I powered on a switch , and then attached my patch cable, are we saying my port would illuminate?
and the same is true for the port on the switch. it too would illuminate if a LINK to a device is established?

how about a link between two switches, would that also illuminate both ports?

Member_2_406981

Yes both ports of the link will illuminate, if both devices ports are active (e.g. devices are powered and NICs initialized).

For 2 switches its the same. if they are linked the leds will show it. Some Switches (usualy older ones) need uplink-Ports or crossover Cables to connect them, as they dont have Auto MDI-X support.