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Thread: Which ethernet cable?

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    Which ethernet cable?

    Hi all,

    I'm looking to re-do my home network, in the process upgrading to gigabit speeds.
    I have a variety of computers running different OSs, most of them have Gbit NICs, the one that doesn't is about to be upgraded.

    I've got a load of different network cables, accumulated over the years. As part of the upgrade process, I want to replace the cables with Cat 5e. So, I've been looking around, and I see there as well as standard patch cables, you can get "STP" cables, which have shielding in them to have reduce interference from other electrical sources.

    Alot of my network cables run next to, or near to, mains power cables. Should I be getting these shielded cables, or just standard (snagless) patch cables?

    Also, anyone recommend a good site for buying a variety of lengths and colours? I've been looking at Fruity Cables but I've never used them before.

    Oh, and one last thing! I want to put coloured tags or labels on each end of the cables, to make ID'ing each one easier from the router or switch - not sure what I should be looking for, any ideas?

    Many thanks,
    Muts.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    the snagless cables are for your patch pannel to PC to wall, STP should really come in reels and is used for runs.
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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Use the stp cable - we do at work, even when not running alongside power cables. I think a roll normally costs us around the 40-50 pound mark.

    As for labeling, we have a handheld thermal label printer which works well for labeling around the cable. Not really seen anything else suitable but guess you can use address labels etc - just depends on how neat you want it all to look.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Heh, neat is not a huge consideation! Although tidy is important. Is there a difference?

    I'll go with the shielded cable.

    Thanks guys.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Shielded cable will probably be a waste of money for short runs/patch cables in a house - it's generally used when there is noticeable signal degradation when running cables past fluorescent lamps/microwaves/etc, a few mains leads aren't going to make any difference. Also it;s a little unclear what you're planning to do, are you laying cables throughout your house and installing wall sockets etc or just using loose patch cables to connect everything together?

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    Shielded cable will probably be a waste of money for short runs/patch cables in a house - it's generally used when there is noticeable signal degradation when running cables past fluorescent lamps/microwaves/etc, a few mains leads aren't going to make any difference. Also it;s a little unclear what you're planning to do, are you laying cables throughout your house and installing wall sockets etc or just using loose patch cables to connect everything together?
    The latter. Simply connect up various computers to the router. Longest run would be 5 metres. So froom what you are saying, ordinary patch cables would do the job. Also, as I understand it, cat5e should be fine for me to run a gigabit network, cat 6 not really being necessary - is that true?

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mutley View Post
    The latter. Simply connect up various computers to the router. Longest run would be 5 metres. So froom what you are saying, ordinary patch cables would do the job. Also, as I understand it, cat5e should be fine for me to run a gigabit network, cat 6 not really being necessary - is that true?
    OK, in that case, just get regular Cat5e patch cables.

    But before you do that, check the writing on the side to see what they are. I bet most if not all of them are already Cat5e. I would use them, if you have problems with a particular run not hitting gigabit speeds then try replacing it. Otherwise I wouldn't worry and just get on with it.

    I'm using random cables accumulated over the years and some I have made myself for longer runs. all of them are patch cabled and all of them work exactly as I want them too. Some may not reach gigabit speeds, but they only have 10/100 devices on them.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Most of them are definitely cat5 not cat5e, but are in generally good nick. The anal-rententive part of me just wants uniform cables, which I know are all new, cat5e, nicely labelled, even if it makes no difference! If I'm going to pull half the (home) office apart anyway, why not put new cables in? It may well prove to be unnecessary. However, the prices on Fruit Cables are pretty good - only cost me a few quid to get all the cables I'd need.

    At the moment, I have cables all over the place, it is very untidy, so I'm going to install some cable tidies, as well as take the opportunity to do some cleaning (ergh).

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    1000BASE‑T (Gigabit Ethernet) is also capable of running over Cat5 so even that should be fine, especially over shorter runs.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    1000BASE‑T (Gigabit Ethernet) is also capable of running over Cat5 so even that should be fine, especially over shorter runs.
    Really? So cat5 is not necessary?

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    5e isn't necessary, no. If you were buying new cable I'd say go with Cat 5e but if you're already using some Cat 5 there's no need to upgrade it really. Remember it's digital with error tolerance so nothing would get corrupted (also the reason why expensive HDMI cables are a complete rip-off). If you were using poor quality cables (ones that don't meet spec) or very long runs, the data loss in the cable might cause a drop in throughput as the controllers would have to re-send corrupted packets but in your scenario you probably wouldn't notice any difference after upgrading.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    In that case, I shall take a closer look at the condition of the cables. Some of them I know are poor quality, I'll just replace those.

    Thanks very much for the help.

    Muts.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Personally I use the Belkin Snagless UTP Cat 5e cables. I like them because you can pull them through a rats nest and not bend the tag, however unlike booted cables, where it can be difficult to press down the tag in a restricted place these ones do not have the problem as it is directly accessable from above.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    5e isn't necessary, no. If you were buying new cable I'd say go with Cat 5e but if you're already using some Cat 5 there's no need to upgrade it really. Remember it's digital with error tolerance so nothing would get corrupted (also the reason why expensive HDMI cables are a complete rip-off). If you were using poor quality cables (ones that don't meet spec) or very long runs, the data loss in the cable might cause a drop in throughput as the controllers would have to re-send corrupted packets but in your scenario you probably wouldn't notice any difference after upgrading.
    You've not suffered as a result of poor cabling Your theory is impeccable but in practice stuff just doesn't work.

    Go cat5e - its cheap and will do the job for definite.
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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    You could check cable quality using Linux (probably a way to do it with Windows but I do it with *nix myself), use something like iperf to create lots of traffic on the cable then check Ethernet statistics using ifconfig, you will get an output containing something like this:
    RX packets:145495 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
    TX packets:817378 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
    With a bad cable I'd expect non-zero values.

    And no, I haven't experienced problems due to poor cabling and if buying new I would advise going for some proper rated Cat5e, there are some super cheapo cables floating around containing aluminium conductors IIRC. You should be fine if you buy from a decent shop though.

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    Re: Which ethernet cable?

    With all cables the is the concept of rated distance for example 5e is rated to 150m for gigabit (I think that is right without looking it up). When you are using much storter lengths, even bad cables are normally fine. I have no reason to believe a 6 inch cat 5 cable would ever be a problem and what ever speed I used. It is only as the length increases there are problems however 5m is not a long length. As watercooled outlines if there is a problem it will be with the plug either it is badly fitted (probably by hand) or its a solid cable where a flex should have been used and its broken, or the tag is broken, badly fitting causing the plug to come loose.
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