I'm planning a LAN at my house
Crossover is the type of cable to use when connecting 4 xbox's together, right?

Ok how about this
Is a system link cable a crossover cable?

Ok what you'll want if you have 4 xbox's is a hub, switch, or router and use Cat 5/5e/6 PATCH/Straight Through cable

If you're doing directly from one xbox to another use a crossover

xbox -> xbox use crossover
xbox -> hub -> xbox + xbox + xbox use patch/straight

and the direct "system link" cable from MS is a crossover

Thanks much
That answers my question exactly

Yep do what I can, just made a crossover for my little brother to use for him and his friend (xbox to xbox lan)

system link, crossover and ethernet (ethernet's are basically un-official system link cables and are very cheap from PC shops) work

Do NOT get a hub!
You want a switch.
A router would work too.

A hub will physically connect and get the systems to locate and recognize one another, but it is a very "dumb" device. A switch or router are "smart" devices and will transfer data much better and smoother.

Use a router if you want internet access, and either a switch or router if you don't.

not quite machine man

Crossover and Patch/Straight-through are types of ethernet cables, just saying ethernet doesn't say whether it's crossover or patch

As to not using a hub, there's nothign really wrong with it, they're usually much cheaper (20 bucks or so) but as you said it will be a touch slower (not really noticeable on a LAN)

The home use routers now are actually routers w/ a 4 port switch so there's nothing wrong with getting a switch or router.