which type of cable has opposite pin assignments on each end of the cable
The type of cable that has opposite pin assignments on each end is called a "crossover cable." In a crossover cable, the wiring arrangement of the cable's connectors is such that the transmitting pins on one end of the cable are connected to the receiving pins on the other end, and vice versa. This configuration allows two devices of the same type (e.g., two computers or two switches) to communicate directly without the need for an intermediate device such as a hub or a switch. Crossover cables are commonly used in networking scenarios such as connecting two computers directly for file sharing or connecting two switches or hubs together to expand a network. They are distinguished from straight-through cables, where the pin assignments are the same on both ends and are typically used to connect devices of different types, such as a computer to a switch or a router.