Which Ethernet cable box should I buy?

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I'm planning on putting some ethernet cables in at home. I don't think I'll need CAT-6 as I won't still be living there by the time 10GB speeds are a reality, so I think 5e will be fine. Maximum cable length will probably be no more than 20metres.

Can I therefore get away with buying the cheapest 305m box from the selection below?

£30 - PVC CAT-5e Boxed Reel 305m UTP Cable Solid Grey CCA
£60 - Cat5e Enhanced 24AWG Solid 4-Pair UTP PVC Boxed Cable 100% Copper
£70 - 305m CAT 6 Enhanced 23AWG Solid LSZH - £74

Thanks!
 
Don't get cheap cable.

Trust me on this, buy CCS cable, it's the best stuff I've used.

Cat5e £57

Cat6 £90

Cheap cable is horrible to work with.


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Buy cheap, buy twice


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You only need LSZH if you're using cable in air ducts etc in offices.

I highly reccomend buying CCS patch panels and wall modules too. I've used a ton of different types in work, now I refuse to buy anything else.


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For reference..

These are the rough prices for a patch panel, 24 wall modules and 305m cable

Cat5e = £116
Cat6 = £181
Cat6a = £343

Cat6a is more work to terminate too. The difference between working with 5e and 6 is minimal, it has an extra piece to cut (the core), but it's simple enough.

I haven't looked into Cat7 :D
 
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A basic network tester is worth it's weight in gold.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RJ45-Cat5...s_LaptopCables_Connectors&hash=item1e8eb1d026

^Very basic one, that will send a pulse of power down each pin, if the cable is good it will light up the LED on the other end.


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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-RJ45...84745?pt=US_Cable_Testers&hash=item1e6219eb89

This one is better as it allows you to pause on each pin. Not a bad idea to buy both as you can use the ends for both with both testers.

-Don't plug these things into switches, it will damage the testers (possibly the switches too)
 
Go for the best you can get on the cable. just make sure it is 100% copper and not CCA like the first reel in your list. If you are making up CAT6 cables then make sure you get the right Cat6 crimp plugs and modules for the faceplate. they are different between cat5e and cat6. As above a tester is always a good purchase.
 
I would use cat6 reel between the patch panel and modules and then use shop bought cat6 cables between module (wall port) and each pc/device.
 
Thanks all, I've gone for 5e all round as per bledds link in post 2.

This is just a trial run for now - I want to power the CCTV camera in my loft via PoE from a switch/patch panel in the cupboard under the stairs. Later on I want to add wall points in the lounge as well with cable run behind the skirting boards (another reason for cat 5e as it's thinner that cat6 am I right?).

Out of interest would it work if I had a cat6 patch panel but cat5 cable and wall points?
 
(another reason for cat 5e as it's thinner that cat6 am I right?).
It'll usually be a bit thinner, and certainly more flexible, but the difference isn't significant enough to make it a deciding factor.

Out of interest would it work if I had a cat6 patch panel but cat5 cable and wall points?

As above it'll work, but why would you want to?
 
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