What type of cable connects a pin pair on one end of a UTP cable to the same pin pair on the opposite end?

A straight-through cable is designed to connect similar devices together or to connect different types of devices. In a straight-through cable, each pin on one end of the connector corresponds directly to the same pin on the other end. For example, a straight-through cable can connect a computer to a switch or a router. This consistent pin pairing is essential for ensuring that the transmitted and received signals align correctly, facilitating effective communication.

In contrast, a crossover cable is utilized to connect similar devices, such as two computers or two switches, where the transmit and receive pairs need to be crossed to establish a link. A rollover cable is typically used for console connections to network devices, and fiber-optic cables serve for high-speed data transmission over longer distances but do not follow the same pin-to-pin connection structure as UTP cables. Therefore, the straight-through cable's unique configuration of connecting identical pin pairs on both ends makes it the correct choice in this scenario.