Which of the following describes a crossover cable?

A crossover cable is specifically designed to connect two similar devices directly. This means that it is used to link devices such as two computers, two switches, or two routers without needing an intermediary device like a hub or switch. The crossover cable achieves this by crossing over the transmit and receive wires, allowing data to flow directly between the two devices.

This functionality is important in scenarios where direct communication is needed between identical devices that typically send and receive signals in the same manner. For instance, using a crossover cable to connect two computers can facilitate file sharing or direct networking without the need for additional hardware.

To contrast this with other options, cables used to connect devices of different types generally are straight-through cables, which do not have the wiring configuration that enables direct communication between similar devices. Additionally, cables designed for extending the range of a network are typically not crossover cables but rather repeaters or other types of transmission media. Lastly, connecting a device to a hub typically involves a straight-through cable, as hubs are designed to manage connections between different devices rather than like devices.