ot?: what cables for network

babag · 12-19-2006, 11:15 PM

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.

Matir · 12-19-2006, 11:21 PM

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.

babag · 12-19-2006, 11:30 PM

thanks Matir!

chort · 12-19-2006, 11:56 PM

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

farslayer · 12-19-2006, 11:59 PM

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

Matir · 12-20-2006, 12:18 AM

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)