Even though modern home networks are connected using wireless technology, there are cases when you will still need to use LAN cables. When a wireless signal can’t reach a portion of a house or an office, cables might be your only option.
You’ll encounter several cable type designators with names like CAT5, CAT5e, and CAT6. CAT5 cable is the minimum required for the current Internet standards. CAT5e cable is a higher grade version of CAT5, and CAT6 cable is commonly used for Gigabit Ethernet, an up-and-coming version of Ethernet that operates at 10 times the speed of Fast Ethernet. CAT6 cable costs more than CAT5e but is worth the extra money if you want to future-proof your cable installation.
So what is a CAT6 cable and how is it different from the older types? Category 6 cable contains four pairs of twisted wires, just like earlier copper cable standards but it has higher speed and noise reduction properties than the older Cat5.
it supports the next-generation Ethernet technology called the Gigabit Ethernet which operates at 10 times the speed of 100Base-T networks. Gigabit products typically cost more than the current 100 mbps Fast Ethernet, and most Gigabit products are designed for business networks. Unless you really need the additional speed of Gigabit, 100 mbps provides more than enough speed for most home network applications.
Of course, if you plan to setup a Gigabit Ethernet, make sure that you have the LAN card that supports that speed. As an inexpensive alternative solution to fiber-optic, the card allows you to instantly upgrade to Gigabit without requiring you to install new, expensive fiber cables.
If you want to have a future-proof connection in your office or home, spending a little higher for Cat6 and Gigabit Ethernet cards is worth the money. You will also find Cat6 setups easier to maintain and install than fiber optic networks.
Ben Carigtan shows you how it’s done.
Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable does support up to 1000 Mbps (aka. Gigabit) and 100 MHz signal rate. CAT 5e (Enhanced CAT 5) has 3.5x the signal rate as CAT 5. CAT 6 allows more than 6x the throughput of CAT 5 and is wrapped in foil insulation to provide better resistance from crosstalk. In addition, it has a fire-resistant sheath. CAT 6e and CAT 7 have much better signaling rate and protection from crosstalk.
At this point, CAT 5e is still a good choice when you got to lay some cable in a home or small business. It provides adequate throughput and resistance, is cost efficient, and is easily available even at Walmart.
Gigabit Ethernet cards and wireless cards supporting 802.11 N are also a good investment.
Hey Ben. Didn't I post a comment here last week? I was hoping to get your feedback.
Really good guide for buying. Thanks for sharing.
There are many networks already in place using Cat5e and 10/100 equipment. It is not very expensive in those case to upgrade the hardware to Gigabit but would be very costly to replace the cabling. From the info here it is not apparent that Gigabit will even work on other than Cat6. I have (and many others) successfully attained reliable Gigabit speeds using Gigabit hardware with Cat5e cabling.