how can i tell , just by looking at it, if a CAT5 cable is straight or crossed ?
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie
-- JRRT
M.C. Escher - Reptilien
Most xover cables are marked as such on the side. If it's unmarked, then look at the two plugs from the same direction. The individual wires within the plugs should be color-coded. The order of colors should be the same for both plugs for a straight cable.