| To explain it in a simple statement, the main | | | | compared to using Cat5e over Cat5 is well worth |
| distinction comes to the differences in how each | | | | it when you consider what is saved in the fact |
| delivery medium manages crosstalk, bandwidth | | | | that you are “future proofing” the |
| and network support. | | | | infrastructure of your network. |
| Cat5 vs Cat5e | | | | For Your Network Cabling Needs In Orange |
| Crosstalk – Crosstalk is when the signal from | | | | County, Go To Cat5e vs Cat6 |
| another line causes a harmonic effect or bleed | | | | At present there is still some discussion whether |
| over into another cable. When this happens you | | | | new installations of cable should use Cat5e or |
| will notice that the speed of the network is | | | | Cat6. It is often incorrectly assumed that if Cat6 |
| hindered and it can even shut the signal out | | | | is run then the ability for a Gigabit Ethernet is |
| completely. Now with Cat5e (Category 5e) there | | | | available. In truth to attain a true Gigabit Ethernet |
| is an improvement over the Cat5 (Category 5) | | | | speed, then all components of the network have |
| cable and the crosstalk has been significantly | | | | to be rated for gigabit. Items such as switches, |
| lowered. | | | | network interface cards and hubs also need to be |
| Bandwidth – Bandwidth is how fast data can | | | | gigabit rated. That doesn’t mean that there is |
| be moved across a network. The more | | | | no difference from Cat5e and Cat6; the |
| bandwidth you have the more quickly you can | | | | difference between these two is in the |
| move data over a network. The rating for Cat5 | | | | transmission capabilities. Where it is known that |
| is at 100Mhz where it is 350Mhz with Cat5e. With | | | | Cat5e can support gigabit speed, Cat6 is actually |
| the extra speed and higher specs this make | | | | certified to manage Gigabit Ethernet. |
| Cat5e ideal for network environments that are | | | | Also, the specifications on Cat6 is better suited |
| looking to use Gigabit Ethernet speeds. | | | | for the environment that is usually filled with |
| For Your Network Cabling Needs In Los Angeles, | | | | twisted pairing cables and areas that you generally |
| Go To Network support – With Cat5 you | | | | find with lots of items that cause interference, |
| have the support needed for networks running | | | | such as electrical rooms, phone equipment rooms, |
| 10Base-T and 100Base-T, which in layman terms | | | | power lines and lights. For most applications you |
| means the network can run at 10mbps or | | | | will find that Cat5e is still acceptable and even |
| 100mbps (megabits per second). Cat5e is an | | | | preferable to Cat6 because it is less costly and |
| improved and superior version of Cat5 with added | | | | still performs nearly as well. If however you know |
| provisions for crosstalk mentioned above. Cat5e is | | | | for sure that all of the components of your |
| also backwards compatible with Cat5 and can be | | | | network are gigabit rated and the amount of data |
| used in any way that you would use Cat5; yet | | | | that will be transmitted will require that you have |
| Cat5e has the ability to support a Gigabit Ethernet | | | | certified gigabit capabilities, then Cat6 would be |
| and networks that run 1000Mbps (1000Base-T) | | | | the preferred choice. |
| The bottom line here is if you plan on putting into | | | | Mark is the Chief Revenue Officer of SCT |
| operation a Gigabit Ethernet, then you should be | | | | Product Sales, Inc. |
| sure to use Cat5e. The extra cost involved | | | | |