subject: Types Of Ethernet Cables For Different Requirements [print this page] Types Of Ethernet Cables For Different Requirements
Ethernet cables might all look alike, but you have to notice that they have different performance based on the construction. Besides, the type of the wire used in constructing the cable also makes great difference. So which one matches your needs well? In this following list, you will find more information on some types of Ethernet cable. You might get the best one for your system from this list.
Cat 3 will be the first type of Ethernet cable. This is an older type which has limited work of up to 10 Mbps (megabits per second). It is not widely used outside of Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and other kinds of voice applications. Besides, Cat 3 cable also has an issue of cross-talk and interference, so it was immediately replaced with more advanced and high quality types.
Cat 5 is the second type. Better than the Cat 3, this certain cable allows you to get 10/100 Mbps of Ethernet connections. In order to reduce the interference, the cable is wrapped in different way from Cat 3 to be fewer twists per foot. Therefore, Cat 5 cable works in better performance than Cat 3 one.
Then, you can also find Cat 5e cable that is the enhanced version of Cat 5. It allows you to get 10/100/1,000 Mbps Ethernet connections which will be perfect to support internet connection in both home and business applications. This is also the most common type of Ethernet cable available in the market since it comes in lower price point and higher end.
You can also find Cat 6. It is quite similar with Cat 5e but it is less popular. This certain cable allows your network to run at almost its full speed as its main benefit. It is made the same way with Cat 5e but it is made of thicker wires.
The last type will be crossover cable. First, you need to notice that most Ethernet cables come in standard straight-though design and each end are also identical. Crossover cables come in similar design with those standard ones, but you will find that the inside order of the wires are switched. Usually, people use crossover cable to bypass a router or network hub as well as to connect a certain device to another one directly. However, crossover could not be used on behalf of the standard types of Ethernet cables.
