> If one of you could steer me toward some sites that can shed some light > on Cat-5 vs. Cat-5 E and also RG-6 vs. RG-6 Quad cabling... > I have the basic information such as better shielding and throughput and > such.
I always find the Ars Technica stuff entertaining: http://arstechnica.com/guide/networking/installation-1.html But that article probably does not get into deep enough for you. I can tell you that Cat-5 will work fine for both 10 and 100Mb/s ethernet (regular and fast ethernet) and that Cat-5 E is required for 1000Mb/s (gigabit ethernet). In your searching I think you will find nothing more than the basics. . .better spec wire is better shielded and better shielding yields better throughput. Gigabit ethernet is usually considered a network "backbone" technology, e.g. something to connect multiple LANs together. I would not worry about going there. . .you'd have to have gigabit NICs and a gigabit switch to ever getr any use out of it. RG-6 vs. RG-6 quad? Co-ax eh? You must have a cable modem. In any case I think they recommend the Quad Shielded variety for data applications. > Just trying to cut through the go-for-the-best-and-be-preapred theory > and not going overboard. > (Another consideration is I am getting the Cat-5 and RG-6 stuff free.) None of this really applies to you then. Networking philosophy is generally to overbuild and to use the best infrastructure components (wiring and hub/switches) you can afford. If this stuff is really free then just use the best. And just because a certain technology *requires* the newest wiring does not mean newer stuff will not benefit older technology too. A lower signal:noise will benefit ANY communication system. It might be so slight that you'd never notice the difference though. A couple of notes. . .some people recommend solid wire for in-wall use. It conducts better than stranded wire but does not take to bending very well which is why patch cables should be stranded. Be very careful to avoid crimps in your in-wall wiring. A bad crimp can prevent you from achieving 100 Mb/s. > A friend has run the older stuff all over his three-story house and is > also wondering if he should yank them out and run newer stuff before the > walls are closed in. I wouldn't bother with changing it. . . -Greg -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | PowerON Computer Services <http://www.poweron.com> REPLACEMENT PARTS in STOCK Drives, CD-ROMs, RAM, Processors, Power Supply <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
