|
My "real" job is designing cabling systems, preparing RFPs, budgets, etc.... and I have 7 years of installation experience behind it. That said, I feel qualified to answer your question.
Baddog, there are Cat 6 connectors, but neither Cat 6 cabling nor connectors (jacks) are required for this. Cat 5 was developed for future applications, and I usually only recommend it for higher tech, higher spending companies when doing complete systems.
Though this short length should be fine with "homemade" patch cables, as has already been said, you shouldn't do it. Factory made cables are recommended. One nicked or kinked wire in a cable assembly can have very negative results on packet loss which converts to lower speed. Factory made cables are tested for not only continuity and correct wiremapping, but for other things relevant to data transmission such as signal to noise ratio, cross talk... etc.
The current "standard" is Category 5e, which basically allows increased performance in complete channels (end to end connectivity) over straight "Cat 5".
Anyfuck, if it is working at all, at this low distance, I'm guessing it is something else, maybe a flakey port on the router switch. A connection will not be (noticably) slower because of length at these distances because the standars were written for a maximum channel length of 100 meters, which you are in no danger of ever nearing.
Try a new, manufactured cable, if that doesn't work switch ports.
__________________
|