Cat 5, Cat 5 X Over, Cat 6 - Network Cables

commmmm' on network geeks, help me out :P

cat 6: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_6_cable

cat 5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable

To my limited understanding, Cat 6 has a much higher standard than Cat 5 or 5e and can handle more data. I believe a crossover (X over) flips one of the pairs of wires for direct computer-to-computer communication, rather than via a router.

In a nutshell:
Category 5 - original 100 mbps standard (superceded by 5e)
Category 5e - more stringent testing than the old cat 5. Typically used in 100 mbps networks, but will support gigabit ethernet.
Category 6 - gigabit ethernet standard, will more than likely support 10 gps

RJ-45 is a pinout scheme not a type of cable :P

CAT 6 can handle faster network speeds and is tested and certified with more detailed specs.

You can use 10base-t on CAT 3, 5, 5e or 6 cable, 100base-tx
on CAT 5, 5e or 6, and 1000base-tx on CAT 5e or 6.

Actually RJ-45 is just the jack

wow way to go network guys *high five*

so for my office where we have adsl internet, and out computers are on the same connections, but are not effectively networked and we stream live video, do you think we would beneft at all from getting anything other then a regular cat 5?

thanks guys! *another high five*

If you are not effectively networked then cat 5e or cat 6 won't make a difference. The cable can only push what your equipment can put out

No it isn't. It is the pinout scheme of the jack. 8 pin modular jacks are often called RJ-45's but that is incorrect.

Ice: you are my new hero! thank you very much kind sir

568-a and 568-b would be a standard pinout scheme, but still going into a RJ-45 jack.

Though I said no earlier, you are correct - I'm just used to everyone calling things RJ-45's when they really aren't. Just meant to say that a true RJ-45 has a set straight though pinout.. but you are right, it is a jack and the jack must be keyed.

What's this civility bullshit, don't you know this is GFY?

Ice has banning powers :P

Well if you want to get technical you are right also. I think in a standard pinout like 568a or b the jack would be called an 8p8c. But most people just call them an RJ45.
Just like a RJ11 is standard for a phone jack, and DB9 and DB25 for RS-232 is the standard but still can be pinned out many ways.... straight through, crossed over, etc

Category 5 Cable (UTP) (Unshielded Twisted Pair) - A multipair (usually 4 pair) high performance cable that consists of twisted pair conductors, used mainly for data transmission. Note: The twisting of the pairs gives the cable a certain amount of immunity from the infiltration of unwanted interference. category-5 UTP cabling systems are by far, the most common (compared to SCTP) in the United States. Basic cat 5 cable was designed for characteristics of up to 100 MHz. Category 5 cable is typically used for Ethernet networks running at 10 or 100 Mbps.


Category 5 E Cable (enhanced) - Same as Category 5, except that it is made to somewhat more stringent standards (see comparison chart below). The Category 5 E standard is now officially part of the 568A standard. Category 5 E is recommended for all new installations, and was designed for transmission speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gigabit Ethernet).


Category 6 - Same as Category 5 E, except that it is made to a higher standard (see comparison chart below). The Category 6 standard is now officially part of the 568A standard.
Category 7 Same as Category 6, except that it is made to a higher standard (see comparison chart below). The Category 7 standard is still in the works (as of this writing) and is not yet part of the 568A standard. One major difference with category 7's construction (as compared with category 5, 5 E, and 6) is that all 4 pairs are individually shielded, and an overall shield enwraps all four pairs. Category 7 will use an entirely new connector (other than the familiar RJ-45).

Category 5 Cable (SCTP) (Screened Twisted Pair) - Same as above, except that the twisted pairs are given additional protection from unwanted interference by an overall shield. There is some controversy concerning which is the better system (UTP or SCTP). Category 5 SCTP cabling systems require all components to maintain the shield, and are used almost exclusively in European countries.


Category 5E, RJ45 jack (Work Area Outlet) - An 8 conductor, compact, modular, female jack that is used to terminate category-5E cable at the user (or other) location. The jack is specifically engineered to maintain the performance of cat 5E cabling.


Category 5E Patch Panel - A Category 5E Patch Panel is basically just a series of many category-5E jacks, condensed onto a single panel. Common panel configurations are 12, 24, 48, and 96 ports. Patch panels are typically used where all of the horizontal cable sections meet, and are used to connect the segments to the Network Hub.

geek war!

lol this thread is officially too long for a dicussion about network cables haha