Whats the difference between like Cat5e, Cat5, Cat6 and patch vs crossover regarding network cables

[niwi7]

I am very confused---

Looking to buy 100' of network (ethernet cable) to run into my room to have the internet in my room.

I look and there are all different Cat5, Cat6, Gigabit all things like that--- whats the differnce?

Also there are 2 different kinds of cable--- crossover and patch...whats the differnce? Im plugging 1 end into a router and the other end into a network card in a computer

i have a regular cable modem with a regular SMC barricade wired router


just looking to not buy the wrong thing--

also-- how come some 100' cables are 60 bucks and others are 12 bucks?

 

[modedepe]

The difference is the speed they're rated to run at. Cat5 is up to 100mhz. Cat5e is for 350mhz. Cat6 is for up for 1ghz. The kind you're going to buy would depend on what speed you needed your network to run at. The difference between crossover and straight patch is crossover can be used to connect computers directly, without the need for a hub or switch.

 

[niwi7]

ok...well are they backward compatible?

if i find out my network runs at 350 lets say then would a cat6 be backwards compatable?

 

[rudder]

just buy cat6 and you will be semi future proof. Of course if yo have the $$$ you could always get fiber.

 

[niwi7]

ok another question---

how long can an ethernet cable be before it either

a) goes slower
b) doesnt work


i am about to get 100' but MAYBE need 125 or 150---

would 125 or 150 be too long to have decent performance>?

 

[modedepe]

I think it can go 300ft.