| Ethernet cable is one of the most common and | | | | around 100 Mbps and interestingly has a thinner |
| important elements in modern computing and | | | | wrapping to reduce the number of twists and |
| home entertainment set ups. Typically an Ethernet | | | | hence interference. |
| cable is used to connect a device, such as a | | | | Cat 5e cable is an advanced version of the Cat 5. |
| computer or a games console to the internet and | | | | The major advancement is that it can handle |
| to networks, allowing for online usage, | | | | gigabit Ethernet and as such is more than capable |
| downloading and streaming. Fortunately, Ethernet | | | | of performing well in both domestic and more |
| cables are so widespread that it is not difficult for | | | | commercial environments. Predominantly this type |
| amateurs to find a suitable item for their needs. | | | | of cable is widely available at low prices and hence |
| One of the first things to remember however is | | | | is one of the most widely used options. |
| that not all Ethernet cable is exactly the same, | | | | Cat 6 represents one of the higher end |
| there are a variety of categories that vary in | | | | categories of cabling, it is once more a step up |
| terms of quality; that quality determining the | | | | from the Cat 5e variant. This form of cabling is |
| amount of data a specific cable can handle. | | | | most popular for networks that are running close |
| Cat 3 cable is usually used for voice | | | | to capacity and need higher data transferral |
| communications and anything up to 10Mb | | | | speeds. As you may expect this category is |
| Ethernet. It is the lowest in the ranking system | | | | physically thicker than cat 5 variants. |
| and hence the least capable of handling large | | | | Hopefully this has been insightful to the reader, |
| amounts of data. Most people see these as an | | | | the basic information that applies to customers is |
| older form of cable that has now been replaced | | | | that if you need a cable it is likely that Cat 5e will |
| by higher quality categories. | | | | be a suitable option if you are connecting from a |
| The next step up is Cat 5. Cat 5 Ethernet cable is | | | | PC to a hub. |
| used as the successor of Cat 3. It can handle | | | | |