Network cable?

[Sacred]

Am getting a new stairs carpet within the next few weeks and am looking to run ethernet cables up stairs under the new carpet.

The cables will be running from a Belkin N1 Vision (phone line) router and the main use of the cables will be to play online games, not sure if this makes a difference but thought to post it anyway. So I've got a few of questions for you guys.

1) What type of cable? CAT 5, 5-E or 6?

2) Whats the difference between the cables in day-to-day use

3) Is manufacturer a problem? As the cables on scan.co.uk and amazon.co.uk seem fairly cheap in comparison to those shown at somewhere like PC world

4) Length of cable have any effect on performance


Thanks guys!
Sacred

[Sacred]

Sorry wrong section, can this be moved to the network section please?

[GoNz0]

1) What type of cable? CAT 5, 5-E or 6?
5e or 6

2) Whats the difference between the cables in day-to-day use
Insulation

3) Is manufacturer a problem? As the cables on scan.co.uk and amazon.co.uk seem fairly cheap in comparison to those shown at somewhere like PC world
nah wouldnt worry, they all meet the standard there ment to.

4) Length of cable have any effect on performance
not under 100mtr

[Rookie1986]

What are the CAT-7 cables like?

[b0redom]

Looks like shielded pairs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_7_cable

Really, go for whatever is cheapest (probably Cat5). I've set up a number of corporate datacentres and only ever used Cat5e. Cat6 was just not worth the extra at the time. In a SOHO environment, Cat5e is more than adequate.

[kmac]

CAT-5e components were designed with high-speed gigabit Ethernet in mind. While CAT-5 components may function to some degree in a gigabit Ethernet, they perform below standard during high-data transfer scenarios.

Would go for CAT5e to be honest especially if below 100m lengths

[GoNz0]

yup, and make sure its shielded if its got any chance of running near electrical wiring.

i cant remember if 5e is shielded as stock, or not

[Jay]

MAKE SURE ITS NONE TOXIC!!!

its that important I used all caps.

[peterb]

Cat 5e is the one to use -cat6 is thicker and less flexible. Normally for long runs you would use solid cored cable, slightly less flexible than stranded cable, but less expensive.

You can use sheilded cable, but it isn't worth over short runs (imho). The cable is twisted pair anywaty, which gives good series mode noise rejection. Shielded cable would give some common mode rejection, but the ends have to be properly grounded or the effect is negated. If you are planning on terminating it in RJ45 sockets, the sockets cost more - if you are going to terminate it is plugs, you won't have a grounding connection anyway, so it is pointless.

By non-toxic, I guess Jay means low fume hazard. That may be a requirement in industrial premises, but not in a home environment (I doubt that the electical installation is low smoke/low fume. Use it by all means - but be prepared to pay more).

Cost/quality. Yes, in theory, all cables sold at Cat5e should perform to the same minimum standard. Are you going to test it? Buying from a known cable mfr is a better gurantee (Belden, BICC) but over shortish runs it probably won't make any difference.

Hope that helps.

[martinm10]

cat 5e should be ok - no length problem either