Ethernet cable

[bhath19]

I was going to buy some ethernet cable through NewEgg and it says "Cat5 Patch cable " is that the same as the regular ethernet cable?

[DVNT1]

yes

Cat5 means Category 5 which is fince for the common 10baseT and 100baseT standards.

Patch means it is for connecting a computer to a hub or switch type device. As opposed to a "crossover" which connects similar devices like a hub to hub, hub to switch, or computer to computer.

[Scott Tiger]

Sorta but not quite. A patch cable is good for connecting to machines together with out the use of a hub or router. It's only difference between it has a couple of the wires crossed inside the cable. A "regular" cable would have straight pass through wires inside the cable. It depends on your application as to which one you need.

Here's an example - it's only 7 ft long but it's just an example:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...117-202&depa=1

[DVNT1]

Originally posted by Scott Tiger
...A patch cable is good for connecting to machines together with out the use of a hub or router...

you have that backwards Scott Tiger

[Scott Tiger]

I'm going to yeild to DVNT here 'cause I know he's got a quite a bit more experience than me. I thought a patch and a crossover were the same thing...

(and to think I just posted a thread stating that a good part of working in this industry is admitting when your wrong and still saving face..)

[DVNT1]

see http://www.cat-5-cable-company.com/f...crossover.html

[bhath19]

One more question, what does the Cat 5e mean in comparison with just Cat 5?

[DVNT1]

CAT 5 cable and CAT 5e cable have several differences, the most important are as follows:

Network support - CAT 5 cable will support 10/100 Ethernet. That is, Ethernet and Fast Ethernet. CAT 5e cable will support Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. CAT 5e Cable is completely backwards compatible, and can be used in any application in which you would normally use CAT 5 cable.
Less crosstalk - Crosstalk is the electrical interference that results when one wire's signal effects another wire's signal. CAT 5e cable has been improved over CAT 5 cable in this respect, and crosstalk has been greatly reduced.
Bandwidth - This is directly related to network support, in the sense that the bandwidth is the information-carrying capacity of a system. The greater the bandwidth, the greater the information-carrying capacity in a given period of time. CAT 5e cable is rated at 350 megahertz, and it is this increased bandwidth (compared to CAT 5 cable) that allows it to support Gigabit Ethernet.

from http://www.cat-5-cable-company.com/faq-cat5-v-cat5e.htm