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Running Ethernet: Difference between revisions
→Ethernet Cable
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===Ethernet Cable=== | ===Ethernet Cable=== | ||
These days, you should be using | These days, you should be using Cat6, Cat6a, or Cat7 cables. | ||
Cat6 is suitable for Gigabit runs up to 100 meters and 10 Gigabit up to 55 meters. | Cat6 is suitable for Gigabit runs up to 100 meters and 10 Gigabit up to 55 meters. | ||
For 10 Gigabit runs though, you'll want either Cat6a or Cat7. Both support 10 Gigabit up to 100 meters. | For 10 Gigabit runs though, you'll want either Cat6a or Cat7. Both support 10 Gigabit up to 100 meters. | ||
Cat7 will also do 40 Gb at 50 meters and 100 Gb at 15 meters. | |||
Avoid Cat5 and 5e cables. Cat5 doesn't support Gigabit. Cat5e | Avoid Cat5 and 5e cables. These are fairly old standards and only marginally cheaper than Cat6. | ||
Cat5 which came out in 1995 doesn't support Gigabit. | |||
Cat5e came out in 2000 and supports Gigabit. It is fine for short patch cables but I wouldn't run them. | |||
* Avoid CCA (Copper clad aluminum) cables;. They're less reliable and less resilient to bending. | * Avoid CCA (Copper clad aluminum) cables;. They're less reliable and less resilient to bending. | ||