How much better is Cat5E? Is it worth the extra bux? How can you tell weither its normal CAT5 or CAT5E? 1 of my friends is using fiber at home. He got these adapters that connect to the back of the NIC, 'n convert a RJ-45 connection into fiber. He got them from a university so he doesn't know where to buy them. Could some1 tell me where i can get some?
Another thing, when I bend the CAT5 wires i use at home, they are soft 'n they don't stay in shape, while the onez at school stay in shape after I bend them. Does this difference affect speed? I've also used Cable testing devices, 'n most of the time it says the cable's "headroom" is around 16dB. Is this good?
Sorry bout asking so many questions, but I'm taking a Cisco course at school 'n my teacher doesn't know shi.t..........
Thx in advance
CAT5 Help Plz!
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HongKongPolice
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glc1
Cat 5e (e = enhanced) is for future Ethernet technologies (eg. Gigabit Ethernet) and u will see no speed diff unless ur using Gigabit Ethernet NICs/devices.Originally posted by TigerUpperCut:
How much better is Cat5E?
It should say Cat 5 or Cat 5e on the cable's sheathing.Originally posted by TigerUpperCut:
How can you tell weither its normal CAT5 or CAT5E?
I believe this is the diff between stranded and solid twisted pair, the stranded being the softer of the two. There is no diff in performance between stranded and solid cable.Originally posted by TigerUpperCut:
Another thing, when I bend the CAT5 wires i use at home, they are soft 'n they don't stay in shape, while the onez at school stay in shape after I bend them. Does this difference affect speed?
[This message has been edited by glc1 (edited 10-12-2000).]
You also have the option of getting shielded Cat5/Cat5E/Cat6 cable, although it's a bit harder to find.
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Life would be much easier if I had the source code... philip@speedguide.net
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Life would be much easier if I had the source code... philip@speedguide.net
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Newsy
I'm in the cable biz so listen up...
Cat 5 is ok for 10BaseT networking upto 100m including the patch cable assemblies if any. In fact, most hub/switch manufacturers will support up to 150m for 10BaseT.
For 100BaseT networks you definitely need Cat 5e if your runs are a full 100m (100 m being a structured wiring standard btw). For short runs, ie. 20m (60 feet), like you would find in a typical home, you may find ordinary Cat 5 will work. It all has to do with signal attenuation and delay skew timing.
Cat 5e is questionable to support Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT). Maybe only very short runs. The proper product there would be Cat 6 which is currently only a proposed standard as the details have yet to be ratified.
Bear in mind that the data rate your cabling system will support is only as good as the connectors you put on the end of the cable. For 100BaseT use Cat 5e RJ45 jacks and buy factory made C5e patch cable assemblies. You may not need jacks if you can find long enough patch cable assemblies which come with male RJ45 plugs.
And that brings us to stranded vs solid conduct Cat 5/e cable. Patch cables are made of stranded because the strands resist breaking under constant flexing. Solid conductors fracture much quicker. Stranded conductor Cat 5/e cable does NOT have as good a spec as the solid conductor. It is intended only for very short lengths (like 1m to 10m) such as between the wall outlet and computer or in the wiring closet from patch panel to hub/switch.
Fiber converters... you can get them just about anywhere. Check out http://www.transition.com/ or http://www.lancast.com/ . These guys do it best. They list their resellers.
Good luck! Newsy.
Cat 5 is ok for 10BaseT networking upto 100m including the patch cable assemblies if any. In fact, most hub/switch manufacturers will support up to 150m for 10BaseT.
For 100BaseT networks you definitely need Cat 5e if your runs are a full 100m (100 m being a structured wiring standard btw). For short runs, ie. 20m (60 feet), like you would find in a typical home, you may find ordinary Cat 5 will work. It all has to do with signal attenuation and delay skew timing.
Cat 5e is questionable to support Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT). Maybe only very short runs. The proper product there would be Cat 6 which is currently only a proposed standard as the details have yet to be ratified.
Bear in mind that the data rate your cabling system will support is only as good as the connectors you put on the end of the cable. For 100BaseT use Cat 5e RJ45 jacks and buy factory made C5e patch cable assemblies. You may not need jacks if you can find long enough patch cable assemblies which come with male RJ45 plugs.
And that brings us to stranded vs solid conduct Cat 5/e cable. Patch cables are made of stranded because the strands resist breaking under constant flexing. Solid conductors fracture much quicker. Stranded conductor Cat 5/e cable does NOT have as good a spec as the solid conductor. It is intended only for very short lengths (like 1m to 10m) such as between the wall outlet and computer or in the wiring closet from patch panel to hub/switch.
Fiber converters... you can get them just about anywhere. Check out http://www.transition.com/ or http://www.lancast.com/ . These guys do it best. They list their resellers.
Good luck! Newsy.
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HongKongPolice
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Newsy
Yes, I wouldn't bother with fiber for a home system. It would be a waste of money unless the EMP from yer buddies boombox car is causing problems. LOL
Headroom?? Can't really comment unless I know what tester you were using and what test you ran. I don't get involved with actual testing - just sell the testers.
Newsy.
Headroom?? Can't really comment unless I know what tester you were using and what test you ran. I don't get involved with actual testing - just sell the testers.
Newsy.
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LoachDuke
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Hey,
We're talking hooking this up to a home system right, under 20 meters right?
Save your cash, because its like running 10 guage gold-plated speaker wire between a lloyds amp and yorx speakers. It might make your system 0.01% more effiecient for data transfer with the good stuff here. Look into BICSI http://www.bicsi.org/ for detailed info on the CATx standards.
[This message has been edited by LoachDuke (edited 10-12-2000).]
We're talking hooking this up to a home system right, under 20 meters right?
Save your cash, because its like running 10 guage gold-plated speaker wire between a lloyds amp and yorx speakers. It might make your system 0.01% more effiecient for data transfer with the good stuff here. Look into BICSI http://www.bicsi.org/ for detailed info on the CATx standards.
[This message has been edited by LoachDuke (edited 10-12-2000).]