Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Flyer11]

I've done several web searches for the answer to this, but just curious to see what people here thought.

For the wired portion using the DGL4500 (I have 2 PC's hard wired), does it really matter whether you use Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable? My cable modem is a Motorola SB5120.

[FurryNutz]

It really doesn't matter what you use between the modem and router. If your just the average home user, CAT5e is just fine. For tech heads like me and others, I didn't spend much money on installing CAT6 on my system here. All CAT6 does it allows a bit more speed stability and the signal can go farther over a longer stretch of wire on CAT6. You can even mix them if you want to. I've got 2 lines on my switch here that haven't been up graded yet. CAT5e also handles 1Gb connections just fine. Me personally I like the CAT6 as I know I will be able to handle future speeds, needs and such later on. Nice to know I have a bit of overhead if there is a need.

Most recommended is the shortest length of wire between the modem and router. Mines a 1ft wire. From my 4500 to the switch is 2ft. From the switch is various lengths needed.

[Sulayer]

"FurryNutz: Most recommended is the shortest length of wire between the modem and router. Mines a 1ft wire. From my 4500 to the switch is 2ft. From the switch is various lengths needed."

I'm kinda confuse so you use 1ft between modem and router and 2 ft between router an switch. Why 2 ft? Why it can't be 1 ft? I'm just curious.

[Trikein]

+1 Furry.

And yea, the shorter the better, but the exact length means nothing. Its just more pre-made ethernet comes in 1,2,3,5,7,10,15,etc lengths. I personally like to color code mine too, make my WAN blue and my LAN green. But thats because I learned on Linksys Equipment who make their WAN(Internet ports) blue, and LAN ports green. Dlink happens to do the exact opposite, but the color of the wire doesn't mean anything, its just so you can know by sight where a wire comes from ya know? Its the same thing with the length, its just personal preference.

Simple answer? If money isn't a issue, get CAT6. Otherwise get CAT5e..just don't get CAT5.

[FurryNutz]

i used 2ft cable due to distance between the 4500 modem and the switch location. All that is, nothing more or less. It's all physical.

 

"FurryNutz: Most recommended is the shortest length of wire between the modem and router. Mines a 1ft wire. From my 4500 to the switch is 2ft. From the switch is various lengths needed."

I'm kinda confuse so you use 1ft between modem and router and 2 ft between router an switch. Why 2 ft? Why it can't be 1 ft? I'm just curious.

[Trikein]

Now if they made a ethernet with a tab that wasn't plastic..thats what I would by.

Heres the kind I got. Newegg FTW

[Flyer11]

Thanks.... this is the answer I expected. I'm using 5e and don't really have a problem. Longest stretch is 25'. It was 7' when I was using a DGL4100 (wired) but had to move it when I went to wireless. Only needed about 17' but it was either 7', 14' or 25'.

It's really hard to get a constant measurement of speed. I've gotten higher speeds with the DGL4500 at times and slower by a little at other times. I'm more convinced it's the provider (Cox) and time of day that makes the most difference.

[FurryNutz]

Most speed test are dependent upon the ISP providing a stable signal. The other issues will impact speed will be other users on the network and how busy the lines are during peak hours too.