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For smartphones, laptops, and tablets we prefer WiFi as the go-to option for connecting with local networks. Wired ethernet cables like cat5e ethernet cable still are the fastest and stable way to connect to the internet.
A wide array of cables, adapters, and various keystone jacks like cat6 keystone jack and many more makes for faster connection options.
We all know the number of ethernet cables we use in our everyday lives and its advantages. So, to understand them better, let's dive deep into the ethernet cables.
Brief History of Ethernet Cables:
"Ethernet" means a collection of technologies that are useful to connect computers and other devices together. It forms a connective branch of local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN).
The early standard of ethernet networking originated in the early 1970s, drawing inspiration from early networking tests. It went through a continuous iteration throughout the 70s and then went on to become commercially available and standardized in the early 1980s.
During coaxial cables, the dominant form of connective technology has a bit rate of 10 megabits per second across local networks. In the decades that followed, the cables got higher bit rates and bandwidth as well. A slow transition made with twisted pair and fiber optic hardware, along with a new technology switch. It enables speeds up to 400 gigabits per second.
There are thousands of networking technologies that have come up over the years. Today ethernet networks are the strongest wired network connection in the world and provide better stability and speed by connecting billions of devices, homes, data centers, and many such things.
Going further, let's understand importance of ethernet cables in our homes:
It is widely useful in a variety of industries but best known for its use in general public cables which connect home networks to the wider internet. Cables with RJ45 header or cat6 keystone jack connect desktops and laptops to local routers.
There are various types of cables such as cat 5, cat 5e, cat 6, cat7, and many more. These different types have different importance and play different roles based on their capabilities.
Categories older than Cat 5 provide low speed and fewer features. Whereas, modern ones provide better features and high bandwidth.
Which one to pick, Cat 5e or Cat 6?
The two most famous ethernet cables in current time are Cat5e ethernet cable and Cat 6 twisted pair cable. Picking the right cable is difficult as there are many variations with different features.
So, here we will be discussing some of the specifications of both cables and help you choose the right one. Let's first understand the acronyms i.e. TP stands for Twisted Pair, S and U stands for Shielded and Unshielded, F stands for Foiled.
So, when you see a word UTP, then it stands for unshielded twisted pair, FTP means foiled twisted pair, SFTP is a shielded and foiled twisted pair.
I know understanding tech stuff is very difficult and sometimes investing in them is costly too. But, data integrity is important, and investing wisely can help you get the most of your buck:
- Cat 5e:
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It's an old but enhanced version of Cat5 specification and overcomes the limitations of Cat5. It provides improved bandwidth capabilities and reduced crosstalk.
It expands the maximum network speed to 1000 Mbps or one gigabit per second. It has a wire gauge of 24-36 meter and the cable 100 meters long.
- Cat6:
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Cat6 has overcome the limitations of Cat5e. It uses long cables for better performance and decreases crosstalk. It supports frequencies up to two and half times of Cat5e cables.
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They can deliver up to 10,000 Mbps or 10 gigabits per second over lengths of cable up to 55 meters. It maximizes length of 100 meters with the longest cable length of Cat6 cables.
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Apart from speed, Cat6 cables give less crosstalk and system noise mitigation. To provide these features, manufacturers use spline, a longitudinal separator within the cable to isolate individual wires within ethernet cabling.
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Cat6 wires twist tighter and provide extra protection from external noise sources. This provides an extra benefit by preventing a Cat6 cable from stretching.
Further, there is a variant available of Cat6 like Cat 6a which is an enhanced version of Cat6 in terms of speed and cross talk.
Remember, even if Cat 6 is a new standard and provides improved features over Cat5e, it is backward compatible. It means they are available with the same endpoint connectors.
Thus, you will not run into problems while buying a Cat6 cable. If your network previously uses Cat5e or Cat5 cables and you are thinking to upgrade them then you can do so easily.
Final Words:
Cables or wires are very difficult to understand initially. But, once you know, you can handle them with ease. Today not a single infrastructure can exist without ethernet cables; be it internet or intranet. Hence, it's very important to understand the various types, differences, and uses of each.
