A LAN (Local Area Network) cable, also known as an Ethernet cable (or a UTP cable), links a computer to a network device such as a modem or router. In this article, we won’t get too deeply into LAN networks or how they’re set up, but we will discuss the importance of selecting the proper Ethernet cable.
List of Valid IDs in the Philippines
An Ethernet cable links personal computers, laptops, and other devices to network hubs like modems and routers. A machine’s ability to quickly receive data or the internet depends on the cable type. Thus it’s crucial to know whether or not it’s CAT5 or CAT6.
We’ll go over some of the most common Ethernet cables in use today and their basic specifications so you can determine if the one you’re using at home or in the office is appropriate.
It’s one of the cheapest and most often used ethernet cables available. Up to 100 Mbps of data transfer speed are supported. You may have problems if you need to run your CAT5 cable further than 100 meters, including slower data transfer speeds and packet loss.
If you have a 150 Mbps Internet connection at home but can only connect your laptop to the router through a CAT5 cable, you will only be able to get speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
The CAT5e (enhanced) cable is a variation of the original CAT5 design; it operates at the same 100MHz frequency and follows the same manufacturing procedures. The CAT5e cable can transfer rates up to 1Gbps, making it capable of Gigabit Ethernet speeds. The CAT5 cable is limited to 100 Mbps.
If your Internet speed is more significant than 100 Mbps, this may help you make the most of it.
CAT6 is the sixth generation of Ethernet cables, replacing CAT 5 and CAT 5e in homes and businesses. Although CAT6 typically supports speeds of up to 1Gbps, it is also capable of 10Gbps over a short distance of only about 55 meters. The CAT6a (augmented version), an improved form of CAT6, can transmit data at speeds of up to 10Gbps over a single cable up to 328 feet long.
CAT6 is the successor to CAT5 and CAT5e, representing the sixth generation of Ethernet cabling. Even though CAT6 usually works up to 1Gbps, it can handle 10Gbps for up to around 55 meters. Data transmission rates of up to 10Gbps can be achieved via a single 328-foot-long CAT6a (augmented version) cable.
In this case, CAT* is the accepted successor to CAT6a, as the IEEE and the EIA have endorsed it, and its components are standardized across manufacturers. Exceptional rates of up to 40Gbps may be transmitted over a distance of only 78 feet when using CAT8, and up to 25Gbps can be transmitted over 100 feet. However, it shares the same 10Gbps data rates as CAT6a cabling when used over greater distances of 100 to 328 feet.
Due to distance restrictions, CAT8 is helpful in close quarters, such as data centers and network equipment. CAT8 is not an excellent financial choice because of its high price tag.
Because it is more affordable than CAT8 and more potent than CAT5 and CAT5e (with throughputs of 1Gbps to 10Gbps), CAT6 cable is an excellent option for home and small business applications. Data centers and other large-scale networking installations require CAT8 cable, which can deliver up to 40Gbps. Since these devices are always working, transporting, and processing large amounts of data, it seems to reason that they would require a high-quality wire, such as CAT8. Still, CAT6 is the way to go for a modest network configuration.
ManilaShaker is a tech media producing insightful and helpful content for our local and growing international audience. Our goal is to create a premier Philippine digital consumer electronics resource that provides the most objective reviews and comparisons globally.
