Help with Gigabit NetWork Cabling

[chconline Veteran]

"it is generally recommended for using a CAT5 cable for short distances only for 1000mbps performance. "

Again this short distance nonsense... What part do you people not understand about the freaking gig standard clearly calling for it to work over Cat 5 for up to 100M

If you going to say only short distances -- then at least mention what you mean my short.. Is it 1M, 10M, 20M, 99M what???

The spec calls for it to work to 100M, so unless there something wrong with your cable it will work.. I would not call 100M short ;)

It's supposed to work, but cable design tolerances are different. I have a 30 ft CAT5 cable that refuses to work at 1000mbps whatsoever, while the 6 ft version works at that speed. The reason why people say short is because there's no definite value to that depending on the manufacturing quality.

[+BudMan MVC]

If you have a cable that does not work, then it clearly does not meet the CAT5 standard and its BAD! Since the specification for 1000BASE-T clearly states that it will work over CAT 5 cable to 100M.. If you have some cable that does not work, then it does not meet the CAT 5 standard..

Saying you can use it short distance is asinine, and nowhere in the spec does it say anything of sort..

Now if you were talking about Cat 6 and 10G, then sure it states in the spec 55M, and Need 6a for 100M, etc.

So what you have a cable that does not work at 30 ft, so your saying ti would work if it was 25FT?? Your logic is flawed -- if you have a cable that does not work, then the cable is BAD!! Does not matter if its 3ft or 300ft.

Cable tolerances are not different, for a cable to be called Cat 5 or 5e or 6 it needs to meet certain specifications and pass certain tests, if your cable does not meet these requirements then its not Cat 5, or 5e or 6 or 6a or 7, etc..

Now do cable makers say their cables are better than specific category, sure they do -- you see for example cat 5e with 350Mhz rating, yet the spec only calls for it to do 100Mhz.. But if your can only do 99Mhz, then its NOT cat 5 is my point.

[cybertimber2008]

It's kinda summed up like this:

CAT5: It works (specification agrees) but not always guaranteed to work due to looser specifications on the standard

CAT5e: It works all the time, improves crosstalk issues of CAT5, tighter specification

CAT6: It works, and is capable up to 10Gbps, tighter specification to include wall jacks, patch panels, and connectors.

A little research won't hurt you.

[|Rapture|]

That makes no sense whatsoever. And I think you know what I mean, stop trying to over-complicate it.

If you have Cat5(e) lying around, use it. If you're buying new cable, buy Cat6.

Given that Cat6 is is dirt cheap, I don't see any point in arguing that.

Where are you buying your cable from? You're either being over charged for your Cat-5e or you're getting awful Cat-6. The price difference in the UK at least is NOT negligible, I doubt it's different anywhere else in the world. If you were spending more money and getting something out of it then fair enough but to run Cat-6 round your building at greater cost for no benefit is just plain stupid.

If you want to fill your house with Cat-6 then go for it. Just don't try to pass off that it's 'better' when it isn't.

The fact you still can't provide a real reason to use Cat-6 is just proof you have no idea what you are talking about. That's fine, cabling is boring. Just please stop spreading FUD.