CAT6 Gear

darraghrogan

Hi,

Just after moving house to a newly built one and I find that although I specified CAT5 I got CAT6 Cabling throughout. Wonderful!

Following a bit of research, I've found that you can get the max out of CAT6 by using CAT6 wall jacks and plugs, as I've found on lanshack.com:

http://www.lanshack.com/product1.asp?SID=10&Product_ID=2487 and
http://www.lanshack.com/product1.asp?SID=10&Product_ID=2474

Anyone know if someone in ireland sells this sort of gear, or where's good to buy it online?

Thanks,

Darragh

jesus_thats_gre

The existing Avaya stuff for Cat 5E work with Cat 6.

darraghrogan

Avaya?

Also, whats a good switch to get? I'm looking to upgrade my 10mbit hub...

Darragh

jesus_thats_gre

Avaya are a medium to high end provider of network equipment. They are a very good brand it seems.

You might as well get yourself a Gigabit switch if you have CAT 6 cabling and upgrade your network card.

BigEejit

Cat6 and gigabit gear is expensive ... get cat5e gear and a 100mbit switch you'll be alright .... much easier to wire up and points and tools are cheap

darraghrogan

Is there a difference between the wiring processes for cat5e and cat6?

They'd have to be the same otherwise how would cat6 work with standard rj45 plugged ethernet?

Darragh

jesus_thats_gre

The only inhibiting factor of Gigabit is the increased outlay required for equipment. I wouldn't imagine the installation process is any different when using CAT5e equipment, just make sure you termintate everything properly.

BigEejit

cat6 needs much more careful wiring .. the pairs have to remain pairs up to the last 5mm before you connect them ... also it has to be properly shielded. you can be a lot more slap dash with 100mbit stuff (but not overly)

[edit]
i forgot to mention that gigabit switches cost a bomb ... 8 port unmanaged from simply computers is ~£200 (first hit in google)
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