Question Cat5e

[pcslookout]

Maximum data speed it can support ?

 

[Shmee]

That isn't a super simple question, as the standard can be updated over time, and also depends on the length of cable. You could probably run 10Gbps over CAT5E at short distances, though I wouldn't really recommend it with how cheap better cabling such as CAT6A is.

What are you trying to do exactly?

 

[ch33zw1z]

1Gbps

 

[Shmee]

2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This can help explain as well. Remember length plays a factor!

 

[Shmee]

Anyway, if you are considering a home network upgrade, you may want to check out this thread here that has some good pointers from recent.

Question - What must I do to make my LAN a 10GbE?

That's it in a nutshell. I assume that I'd need a new router? The workstations would need something better than their 1Gb ethernet hardware? And are we talking about fiber-optic? I'm just curious, but I'd like to know what I'm lookin' at to be able to do it.

forums.anandtech.com

 

[bigboxes]

That isn't a super simple question, as the standard can be updated over time, and also depends on the length of cable. You could probably run 10Gbps over CAT5E at short distances, though I wouldn't really recommend it with how cheap better cabling such as CAT6A is.

What are you trying to do exactly?

I ran Cat6A in my current home back in 2006?

 

[aigomorla]

1Gbps

i think its certified for 1gbps... but it can do up to 5.

However i would second the recommendation on stepping up to cat6 as its not that much more expensive, and in the long run is probably better and more durable then cat5e.

You could probably run 10Gbps over CAT5E at short distances

This totally depends on how picky your NC/Switch is, and if your using SPF+ transcievers or not.
So if your using a transciever... nope... wont work on cat5e. (well i have failed a few times on this route...)
If your running a intel x540 nc, that possibly.. depends on if it s really Cat5e, and if you self terminated it or came pre RJ-45 or not.
Meaning if you bought the cable as is, and is factory jacketed and rj-45, possibly...
If you terminated it, and put a RJ-45 on it yourself... probably wont work because the rj-45 jack you used may not be Cat6 rated.

I do know 2.5gb is doable, as well as ive seen cases where 5 is.
But once you get to 10gbe, things get really really picky.

 

[ch33zw1z]

i think its certified for 1gbps... but it can do up to 5.

However i would second the recommendation on stepping up to cat6 as its not that much more expensive, and in the long run is probably better and more durable then cat5e.



This totally depends on how picky your NC/Switch is, and if your using SPF+ transcievers or not.
So if your using a transciever... nope... wont work on cat5e. (well i have failed a few times on this route...)
If your running a intel x540 nc, that possibly.. depends on if it s really Cat5e, and if you self terminated it or came pre RJ-45 or not.
Meaning if you bought the cable as is, and is factory jacketed and rj-45, possibly...
If you terminated it, and put a RJ-45 on it yourself... probably wont work because the rj-45 jack you used may not be Cat6 rated.

I do know 2.5gb is doable, as well as ive seen cases where 5 is.
But once you get to 10gbe, things get really really picky.

With regards to the OP, just give the ieee specs and move on.

 

[WilliamM2]

With regards to the OP, just give the ieee specs and move on.

Cat5e can do 5gbs up to 55 meters. 1gbs up to 100 meters.

But as others have said, just get cat6, unless you already have cable. I ran Cat5 in 2012 to my access point, just because I already had it on hand, and the run is only 45 feet. And nothing but 1 laptop is connnecting to it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Cat5e can do 5gbs up to 55 meters. 1gbs up to 100 meters.

But as others have said, just get cat6, unless you already have cable. I ran Cat5 in 2012 to my access point, just because I already had it on hand, and the run is only 45 feet. And nothing but 1 laptop is connnecting to it.

Sure, there’s variances. I personally wouldn’t run something I care about out of spec, but other things are ok. For instance, I had a cat5 cable in my tool bag that I used to attached to various devices, negotiated speeds at 1Gbps fine, worked fine. But it was more of a management cable I used for repairs and stuff, not putting lots of data thru

What I’m saying is that when you’re on here, certain posters should stick to the ieee specs before going off the beaten path.

I’m lazy rn and dont care to look up the cat5e official specs, but im pretty confident it was never certified past 1Gbps.

If a poster here wants more speed, we should recommend what cable specs are certified to run at that speed

 

[mxnerd]

Well, NBASE-T ALLIANCE did certify (or verify) that cat5e & cat6 cable can be used up 100 meters in length for 2.5G/5G bps network, there is no reason it won't run under 100ft in most cases in a house.

Home - NBASE-T

Turbocharge your enterprise network

archive.nbaset.ethernetalliance.org

https://archive.nbaset.ethernetalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/NBASET-FAQ-0319.pdf

The NBASE-T PHY interface specification supports 2.5 Gbpsand 5 Gbps rates over 100m of Category 5e or better cablingwith a bit error rate of less than 10e-12

 

[cellarnoise]

Under 100' / 30 meters, if you have 5e now, I'd test to see if it works. Plenty of testimony on places like Youtube that show the 5e runs well at 10 gbe up to 100' / 30 meters or so. Remember that each additional connector may reduce distance some.

I'm working on the same subject now and 5e is working well 10 gbe at like 12 meters / haha

At 10 gbe / 5e may only be able to go at somewhat lower distance, but I'd say from what I have read under 25 meters or so it will work most of the time, with most network cards and switches...

I have a few home runs (thankfully accessible in conduit) that are currently 5e, but likely still under 75" that out of curiosity I may test at 10 gbe, though all my 10 gbe needs currently are under 25 m. Will report back within the next few months....

 

[ch33zw1z]

Well, NBASE-T ALLIANCE did certify (or verify) that cat5e & cat6 cable can be used up 100 meters in length for 2.5G/5G bps network, there is no reason it won't run under 100ft in most cases in a house.

Home - NBASE-T

Turbocharge your enterprise network

archive.nbaset.ethernetalliance.org

https://archive.nbaset.ethernetalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/NBASET-FAQ-0319.pdf

Good info, it looks like they worked with ieee and it make have been part of 802.3bz-2016, possibly saving infrastructure costs in a big way.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If you already have the cable on hand, you are fine to use it for gigabit. But if you're buying cable, may as well buy cat6.

Keep in mind that the actual installation is critical too. How well the crimps are done, how much it's untwisted etc.