The cable is one part of the connection
Ethernet cables connect computers, switches, routers, and other equipment. Their category describes transmission performance, but the speed you actually get also depends on the ports, cable length, terminations, and installation quality.
Cat5 and Cat5e
Cat5 is a legacy category. Existing installations may support more than the 100 Mbps implied in the original article, but old or damaged cabling deserves inspection before you rely on it for an upgrade.
Cat5e is a common choice for gigabit Ethernet over a standards-compliant channel up to 100 meters. Some faster Ethernet standards can also use suitable Cat5e installations; the category isn’t a universal hard speed ceiling.
Cat6
Cat6 improves transmission characteristics and can support gigabit Ethernet at normal full-channel distances. For 10-gigabit copper Ethernet, its supported reach can be shorter and depends on installation and interference conditions. Don’t assume every 100-meter Cat6 run supports 10 Gbps.
Cat6A
Cat6A is designed to support 10GBASE-T over a compliant 100-meter channel. The original article was wrong to call it the highest category or associate it generally with 40 Gbps. Different categories and physical standards serve different needs.
Choose for the actual job
- Check the speeds supported by both connected ports.
- Allow for the complete channel length, including patch cords.
- Choose reputable, correctly rated copper cable and suitable connectors.
- For in-wall work, follow local building and fire-rating requirements.
- Test questionable existing runs instead of assuming a printed label guarantees performance.
A higher category doesn’t speed up a slow internet subscription or replace a faster network switch. For a long-term installation, balance future needs with the space, bend radius, and termination work involved.
