Cat6 vs Cat5e Cable

James123_2

Hi
We have a wired-only network in our house. However, I'm thinking of extending this with a switch in the attic and cabling down to the relevant rooms. I've found someone to do this for me.
All I wanted to know was whether I should now be using Cat6 cable. This seems in short supply and relatively expensive. Equally, reviews suggest that there's little difference between the two (Cat5e vs Cat6) for modest home networks. Perhaps I need to be thinking about future-proofing the system, there there's already talk of Cat7 anyway ...!?
OK, I know I'm a bit of a dinosaur for not wanting a wireless network. But, any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks!

timbim_2

Cat5e all the way. Over normal distances it can take gigabit, so room for expansion if you need it.

diable

Cat 5e should be ok as the speeds can get up to gigabit speeds, you haven't said if you have gigabit switches installed already though, it could be a problem though if you have a central server and are streaming videos and voice data across your network but then again you would have to have some heavy loading on the network infarstructure to see it slowing down.

James123_2

Brilliant, thanks for the great replies. They're really useful. I guess Cat6 is only for high-end business use.
I'd only ever be running 3 or 4 computers simultaneously but with different access points around the house - probably 10 - served by a Netgear network switch.
Thanks again.

trcooke

Cat5e cable is physically more pliable that Cat6 which tends to be a lot stiffer and harder to manoeuvre. For a home network 5e will be plenty adequate. Unless you really really need gigabit ethernet then you can save some more pennies by buying a 10/100 switch instead of a 10/100/1000 for gigabit. There's quite a difference in price.

isofa

You might want to consider how how the loft gets mid-summer, and if the switch will overheat, our loft is like a sauna in the summer, last thing you want is a device overheating up there and causing an electrical fault.

I don't blame you not wanting wireless, but you could consider powerline networking instead, runs over your mains ring supply.

Other than that cat5e is fine, and a 100-base-T switch would be a bargain and save a lot of cash, unless you really need to shift mountains of data via gigabit.

James123_2

Yes, did wonder about the temperature extremes in the loft. I'll have to re-think this as I can't get up there myself. Thanks to isofa. Also, will look into the switches trcooke. Brilliant and really helpful answer btw. Just what this site is all about.
Much appreciated. Not sure about the powerline plugs as these had mixed reviews and seem quite expensive. However, will take another look.
Best Wishes!
James.

James123_2

Take it all back, the Homeplug has great reviews on Amazon. I guess they're both mini transformers in themselves which is a small issue, but I try to limit the number of these. Not much dearer than one network switch, I guess.

Psychofly

Why put the router in the attic ? Can you not stick it in a cupboard in a bedroom somewhere ? Maybe in a hall cupboard or something like that ? Homeplug is a good option but expensive to expand on if you decide you want to later. Depends on if you see your needs growing or not.

James123_2

Thanks ... just wanted to route about 7 cables from this so attic seemed the logical solution. Am emptying cupboards as I write. Leaving wife to fill them back up again!
Yes, HomePlug will be expensive unless I constantly move these around for use. So, it's back to looking at the best ways of chopping network cable into walls, under floors, through attics etc etc .....
Have a good weekend!

isofa

Depends how expensive chasing walls and repairing plaster is, redecoration can be pricey! Power line networking can be very good, much better (and more secure) than wireless, but nothing will beat wired for total security and speed and bang-per-buck. Worth reading some comparative reviews (www.pcpro.co.uk shopper etc) on the Belkin and other devices for power networking if you are considering that route, some have been very well received, others not.

Or how about having just some switchable wireless for laptops/roaming devices, which has limited connectivity to your network, and can be disabled easily? With WPA security, it's pretty secure if set-up correctly, though not bombproof, but WEP is as weak as the proverbial