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Author Topic: Cat6: worth it?  (Read 6427 times)

rgiaco777

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Cat6: worth it?
« 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
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gunrunnerjohn

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Re: Cat6: worth it?
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 05:35:33 AM »
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.
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Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Remember: Data you don't have two copies of is data you don't care about!
PS: RAID of any level is NOT a second copy.

JoeSchmuck

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Re: Cat6: worth it?
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 03:31:21 PM »
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
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gunrunnerjohn

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Re: Cat6: worth it?
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2009, 03:46:10 PM »
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.
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Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Remember: Data you don't have two copies of is data you don't care about!
PS: RAID of any level is NOT a second copy.

JoeSchmuck

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Re: Cat6: worth it?
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2009, 03:53:00 PM »
Quote from: gunrunnerjohn on December 22, 2009, 03:46:10 PM
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.
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TheWitness

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Re: Cat6: worth it?
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2009, 09:45:18 AM »
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
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