Mixed Cat5 and Cat6 environment

[Rilescat]

I have never worked with CAT6.

We have our building wired with CAT5/CAT5E. We are going to be adding to floors on top of our building come this summer. The new construction is going to be entirely CAT6.

What problems would I have integrating the CAT5 and CAT6 wiring with each other?

thank you,

R

 

[Kelemvor]

Shouldn't be any as far as I know. Unless you go up to GIgabit stuff. That usually needs the CAT6.

 

[Rilescat]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Shouldn't be any as far as I know. Unless you go up to GIgabit stuff. That usually needs the CAT6.

We have been running Gigabit over CAT5/CAT5E. No problems so far. The backbone for everything we have is fiber, so CAT is only to the desktop.

Thanks

 

[Kelemvor]

Mmmm Fiberrrr...

 

[Jeff7]

You might open up a quantum singularity somewhere between the Cat5e and Cat6 dimensions, which could suck in all data, both from the cables, and from the nearby real world. Might want to use conduits to help contain the implosion.


Other than that, you might get slightly slower transfer speeds on the Cat5 if you try gigabit transfers over it, due to possible resend requests, but that's about it.

 

[ScottMac]

Should be no real problem, since each run is a discreet leg back to a central location and active device. Anything that's not, shouldn't care (i.e., baseband video and audio).

If you are doing the termination and have never done Cat6 before, it's different: instead of 1/2 inch of exposed / untwisted pair, you get 3/8." You will be punished (by lack of performance) for even minor infractions of the "rules" / guidelines.

If you are contracting the install out, make sure they are willing to give you a certificate of compliance with Cat6 specification, and the baseline scans for *every* run. Take no excuses, this can save you a great deal of time & frustration later during a troubleshooting effort and correction / repair / warranty fix.

Contract them such that when the install is done, you get to choose a dozen runs at random for a scan (in front of your face, while you are conscious & paying attention). If any run fails, make 'em scan the entire install again (with you watching) and fix any problems that surface.

Avoid the temptation to make your own jumpers; buy good quality commercial Cat6 jumpers.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[skyking]

Scott, I've also hear/read that bad or poorly made prefabbed jumpers are one of the bigger sources of wire plant failures. The same folks who bring that up advise to use cat6 jumpers everywhere, du to being made at a higher standard and potential throughput.
What do you think of that advice?

 

[Solutions]

We use Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6 and SM/MM fiber in my work enviroment. No problems at all. Just make sure that you have atleast Cat5e for any Gigabit over copper.