What type of cable uses T568A on one end and T568B on the other end?

A cable that utilizes T568A on one end and T568B on the other end is classified as a crossover cable. This type of cable is specifically designed for connecting similar devices directly, such as connecting two computers or two switches without the need for a hub or router in between.

The reason a crossover cable works is that it reverses the sending and receiving wires, aligning the transmit pins of one device with the receive pins of the other. When T568A and T568B standards are used, it ensures that the correct wires connect their respective transmitting and receiving pins.

In contrast, a straight-through cable uses the same wiring standard on both ends and is suitable for connecting dissimilar devices, like a computer to a switch. Patch cables are typically straight-through cables used for connecting devices to a network hub or patch panel. Fiber optic cables, on the other hand, do not utilize the T568 standards and operate using light signals rather than electrical signals.