ot?: what cables for network
 

i'm about to start setting up a gigabit network here
at home and, not having done so before, am wondering
whether it matters what kind of cable to use to
connect the machines: cat5? cat6? does it matter? it's
a wired network using a linksys rvs4000 router. thanks.

If you want to achieve gigabit speed, Cat5E is suitable. Category 6 is also usable, but more expensive. Category 6 will be more forward-looking, but I doubt you'll need anything much beyond 1000-BaseT.

thanks Matir!

Like Matir said, Cat5E (make sure it has the E).

Check your local Industrial Electrical Distributor for cables and patch cords.. they are inexpensive there compared to the Computer stores such as CompUSA or MicrCenter I really don't understand why.. but that is the case.

See if you have one of thee distributors locally

Graybar
Anixter
Calvert Wire and Cable

Most CAT 6 Patch cords cost me only a couple bucks through any of these distributors. while the comp store wanted $15-$20 for anything of decent length.

just fyi

Yeah, CompUSA/BestBuy/etc. usually look at cables as a high profit item. A friend on mine works in the CompUSA tech shop and he buys cables at cost... a $22 cable can be as little as $2.20 at times... Yes, that's a 900% markup.

If you have some patience, you can also generally get cables on the cheap from http://www.newegg.com (Obviously not affiliated with them, just swear by them for my tech needs)