cat5 cat5e

[maccarooni]

Whats the difference?

had a call, customer wants to network to his loft from modem down stairs so which cable do i need. all advice is appreciated as i havent done any networking/data as such.

Macca

Blushing

 

[Lurch]

Cat5e is about all you'll get these days as it superseded cat5 many many years ago, although it is commonly referred to as cat5 also so asking for cat5 or cat5e will in general get you cat5e regardless..

Cat5 is category 5 and cat5e is category 5 enhanced. Basically the 'e' denotes a different twist formation which allows a higher bandwidth to be used. Either would be more than adequate for linking a modem\router to something.

 

[The Godfather]

Whats the difference?had a call, customer wants to network to his loft from modem down stairs so which cable do i need. all advice is appreciated as i havent done any networking/data as such.

Macca

Blushing

Basically the Cat5e cable can be used for a greater distance without loss of performance (350m instead of 100m).

Don & His Boys

 

[Lurch]

Basically the Cat5e cable can be used for a greater distance without loss of performance (350m instead of 100m).

Where have you got this from? The limits of 5 and 5e were the same, 100m end to end including 2x 5m patch leads, according to standards that is. Outside of the standards, you can run whatever you want over whatever distance you can get it to.

 

[The Godfather]

Where have you got this from? The limits of 5 and 5e were the same, 100m end to end including 2x 5m patch leads, according to standards that is. Outside of the standards, you can run whatever you want over whatever distance you can get it to.

You are correct, but the higher grade spec of 5e means you could use a longer distance (3.5x) for the same performance (in effect) as Cat 5. Ultimately it's down to speed.

The Godfather

 

[septiclecky]

You are correct, but the higher grade spec of 5e means you could use a longer distance (3.5x) for the same performance (in effect) as Cat 5. Ultimately it's down to speed.The Godfather

Don't think this will really bother him he is only going from the ground floor to the loft max 20m unless he lives in a tower block.

 

[maccarooni]

many thanks for the replies.

Laptop went awol, hence no replies sooner.

now which cable would you recommend.......as in supplier/ make etc

macca

 

[Lurch]

now which cable would you recommend.......as in supplier/ make etc

For chucking in a length from the loft to the lounge, use whatever you want, it'll make no difference. Only time I'm ever bother about make is when I'm installing a million miles of the stuff.