D-Link Forums
The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => D-Link Storage => DNS-321 => Topic started by: rgiaco777 on December 21, 2009, 09:34:48 PM
-
Hi everyone -
I'm ready to buy a Gigabit switch to improve the transfer speed of my DNS-321 on my network. Both of my computers are Gigabit-ready; it's just my old switch that's slowing things down at the moment.
I've searched the forums here and haven't been able to get a good answer to this question: is it worth it to replace my cables with Cat6? I'm running the standard Cat5e that came with the unit and Cat5 elsewhere.
Does this make a big difference in transfer speed even though the maximum actual data transfer rate to/from the device is anticipated to be only 20-30MB/s over Gigabit? What have your experiences been?
Thanks!
Ryan
-
You won't see any change in speed. For shorter runs, CAT5 works fine. CAT5e is fully rated for gigabit, and I have a 150 foot CAT5e run to my remote NAS, never seen any issues there.
-
Sometimes I've seen prebuilt cables calling themselves Cat 5 but were 4 wire versions, not all 8. I ran into this one time because you won't see Gigabit with those types of cables.
I agree with GRJ, provided you don't have really long runs Cat5e is would be best. I wouldn't spend the money until you've tested your system with the gigabit hardware. If you found a great price on Cat6 cable, why not run it all over your house if you have the time.
-Joe
-
Clearly, for new cable runs, I'd pick CAT6. However, I have a 1000 foot spool of CAT5e, so there won't be any CAT6 here for some time. :D
As long as all 8 wires are intact, CAT5 will run gigabit just fine for runs in the 40-50 foot range, longer runs may run into a problem. However, I've run gigabit for 500 feet using CAT5e (yes, I know that's out of spec), and it worked just fine. I don't recommend exceeding 300 feet for any single hop, but it can be done.
-
Clearly, for new cable runs, I'd pick CAT6. However, I have a 1000 foot spool of CAT5e, so there won't be any CAT6 here for some time. :D
I hear you. I have a 1000 ft spool as well, but I wish I still had half of it left. I will run out before I finish wiring my new house. I really wish the builders let me install wire before the drywall went up. Guess I'll buy Cat6 the next time I see a good sale.
-
Cat5e is fine. Cat6 allows higher frequencies at longer distances, but Cat5e is rated at ~100m for GigE. In your house, who would need Cat6, unless your home was built directly under a 1.4Mvolt power line at which point you should seriously consider seeing a doctor.
TheWitness