Cat5e or Cat6 cable?

[racenutz]

Speaking as an Army trained network installer there are a few reasons CAT6 will need to be used in a network install. The only one that would be found in a home is getting near the max length of your run. CAT6 is a little easier to get a pass when testing. If you wanted to future proof I don't see 10gb for home networks anytime soon. When it does finally make it CAT6 will only work on short runs & you would need to make sure your terminations are perfect. If you planned to go 10gb I would install CAT6A.

It sounds like that the 100' roll is likely stranded patch cable which will shorten the length of run it can be used on. It should still work but I would install CAT5E and use these http://www.showmecables.com/product/Cat5e-Universal-Jack-Module-Panduit-NetKey-Orange.aspx as they can be installed with a side cutter and pliers and run shorter patch cables to your network equipment. In any case you will want to have the least amount of untwisted cable on your terminations, certainly less than 1/4". Like others have said be careful around corners when installing. If your outside sheeting shows any sign of distortion or discoloration it will need to be rerun if you intend to run a 1gb network. 100mb is much more forgiving in this respect.

 

[MFortie]

Speaking as a Registered Communications Distribution Designer (look up BICSI if you like), cable is cheap; labor is expensive.

Put in the best wire you can afford. And don't use staples. Get some hook n loop straps to secure the cable to your supports (no zip ties either!) Listen to what the other folks say about bend radii and pulling tension.

And yes, a solid conductor cable to data jacks (tested as a permanent link) would be a better choice than a stranded, pre-terminated "channel" configuration.

 

[Steves32]

You guys probably have me overthinking this-

I got up at 5am to access the attic before work- while attic was still cool (88 degrees today).
I have 2 rolls of wire & I need to take one back.....or not.

So- I ran both- the Cat5e & the Cat6. You guys are scaring me w/ the staples- you'd think I was running fiber optics or something! So- went out to the truck & got some of those plastic u straps for coax- the one w/ a nail on 1 side. Doesn't strap cable tight- you can still move the cable back & forth after it's strapped. Ran cable up high along rafters to avoid the rats (that I don't have btw) & made long sweeping turns so the ions or electrons or whatever don't slow down in a turn. Left the Cat5e in the wall boxes at each end & used the Cat6. Hooked up my Netgear splitter thingy in my theater room & ran to my sat receiver, my TV & my Blu-Ray. Flipped it on - everythinbg configured as it's suppose to- TV & Blu-ray downloaded latest updates & tried streaming a movie. Works like a charm.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[mothgrey]

I'm curious as to what routers you tried.

 

[racenutz]

Good to hear you're up and running.

 

[ADaughen]

Hooked up my Netgear splitter thingy in my theater room & ran to my sat receiver, my TV & my Blu-Ray. Flipped it on - everythinbg configured as it's suppose to- TV & Blu-ray downloaded latest updates & tried streaming a movie. Works like a charm.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Switch or Hub?

Switches >>> Hubs.

 

[Steves32]

Switch or Hub?

Switches >>> Hubs.

This.
Netgear FS605

ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/FS605v3_FS608v3_NAInstallGuide.pdf

I might just return my wireless router & replace it w/ another one of these next to my modem. Cheap & seem to work fine.
I have no use for wireless access now.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I just pulled a few hundred feet Cat 6 in my home last fall. Price difference is nill over the Cat5 cable. Might as well pull the latest.
Installed a switch and made my own connectors using the Quickport connectors.
Bought the pin tool to make the connectors, not one bad connection when I fired it up.