| p>Computers have become a necessity in most | | | | connect peripherals to the computer and route |
| homes today. And most people use the internet | | | | signals. To avoid purchasing the wrong cable, |
| to shop, study, research, and entertain. | | | | research the matter before shopping. Some |
| Good computer cabling is a must for maintaining | | | | geeks and professionals use non booted cables |
| a fast quality connection. Computer networks | | | | which cost less and take up less space. However, |
| require certain types of cabling, either Ethernet or | | | | for those not tech-savvy, purchase regular |
| USB, which can be bought at an electronics, | | | | booted cables. After all, boots do protect the |
| office supply, or department stores. The | | | | fragile wiring on the ends of computer cabling. |
| Ethernet cable is the most popular and efficient | | | | In the past, most Ethernet connections used |
| way of connecting. Ethernet wires are not cheap | | | | category 5 (Cat 5) Ethernet cables, consisting of |
| but can be discounted when bought in bulk, as | | | | twisted wires shielded within a cable jacket. Cat5 |
| most businesses purchase them. Belden and Belkin | | | | has frequencies up to 100 MHz. The wires are |
| are some of the more well-known manufacturers | | | | twisted to aid in noise rejection. After |
| of wiring. Home networking can be done without | | | | that, Cat5e was touted as a better computer |
| paying a computer specialist if you do some | | | | cabling because it was "supposedly" tested up to |
| research and buy your own equipment. | | | | frequencies of 350 MHz to 550 MHz. Many critics |
| Ethernet cables (resembling a large telephone | | | | said that claim was a money-making ploy to |
| wire) connect computers to modems, routers, | | | | charge more for Cat5e cables. When the Cat6 |
| and other peripherals and come in various | | | | and Cat6a arrived featuring a promised 250 MHz |
| categories. They're several feet long and can be | | | | performance level, people began to realize that |
| further lengthened by using various connectors, | | | | anything over the Cat5 performance level was |
| adapters, or crossover cables. Ethernet crossover | | | | just a "promise". Eventually the Electronics |
| cables are used to connect computers directly | | | | Industries Alliance/Telecommunications Industry |
| to their network servers, or other | | | | Association spoke up and said that only the Cat5e |
| computers, without using a router or hub. Patch | | | | TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001 could be "guaranteed" its |
| cables, also called patch cords, can also e used to | | | | performance level. |