I erred when I stated that I could not connect my AZBox to my router with a straight through ethernet cable. It works as well as does a crossover ethernet cable. (With my Linksys WRT54G router.)
What I discovered was a little unique in a way. If I set up my wired connection to the router using one cable type, then I cannot swap to the other cable. That will not work.
However, if I switch back to WiFi first, and then change the ethernet cable and repeat the set up for a wired connection then that ethernet cable functions fine.
Furthermore, if I again switch back to WiFi and swap to the other style of ethernet cable and again repeat the set up for a wired connection, then THAT cable type will function fine.
Now, the WRT54G router specifications does list that it does have AUTO MDI/MDI-X capabilities. This allows either cable type to be applied regardless of the device. It automatically switches to the necessary connection for communication. But, it seems that the device (my AZBox) must reestablish this demand in a specific way for it to take effect.
There may be other avenues which would implement this resetting function, like a reboot. But, switching back and forth between the WiFi and the WIRED is so quick and easy and does not require the time to wait for the unit to reboot that I see no logic in testing further. Besides, once your system network is set up once, you are unlikely to change it. The only reason I have done this was because it was a part of troubleshooting my cables and end connections.
Now, I am back to trying to get my PC and my AZBox to talk directly between eachother without the router.
RADAR