Picking The right Network Cable

With all the different types of network cables out there today, you may be wondering which one is right for the job. Today I am discussing the different types of cables and what their intended use is.

Unshielded versus. Safeguarded -- When you see a cable thought as an unshielded cable, this simply means that there is no metal wrap around the wires under the plastic jacket network cabling installation. Unshielded cables are generally less expensive than safeguarded cables and are most commonly used in homes and offices. Safeguarded cables will most likely be found in industrial applications close to several electrical interference such as large engines.

CAT5 -- This is the first generation of Ethernet cables. Most likely you won't find these at your local retail store. CAT5 cables are capable of transferring data at speeds up to 100mbp/s to a distance up to 100 meters. These cables operate at a frequency of 100mhz and can support power over Ethernet devices.

CAT5e -- This is the newer standard of the CAT5 family. The only difference between CAT5 and CAT5e is that CAT5e can monitor data at up to 1000Mbp/s or 1Gbp/s.

CAT6 -- This type of cable causes the most confusion. The disbelief about this cable is that it will make your connection "faster". This simply is not always true. Like CAT5e, CAT6 cables can monitor data at up to 1000Mbp/s or 1Gbp/s up to and including distance of 100 meters. However, they are also capable of transferring data at 10Gbp/s up to and including distance of fifty-five meters at a frequency of 250mhz and can also carry power over Ethernet.

CAT6a -- This is probably one of the least common cables. It is identical to CAT6 except this cable operates at the 500mhz frequency.

Keep in mind, simply because you use a cable rated at 1Gbp/s, you will only be able to make that happen connection speed if your network devices support it. For example, you have a Sony Playstation 3 that supports Gigabit Ethernet, you use a CAT5e cable to plug it to your Gigabit Switch/Router. All this means is that you are linked to your local network at 1Gbp/s. Communications with your internal network devices running at 1Gbp/s will be quick, your online gaming connection is still limited to the speed of your internet connection. Just like team members, a network is only as fast as it's slowest member.