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Right Choice Supports High-performance Networking

Today, Ethernet connects hundreds of millions of devices in homes and businesses. Selecting the appropriate network cable is crucial for companies aiming to ensure seamless connectivity and maximise network efficiency. On this topic page, we will assist you in purchasing by introducing the types of Ethernet cables and key parametres that form the foundation of many wired networks.

Buying Points for Ethernet Cables

If you are buying an Ethernet cable for the first time, focus on these features and you'll make a good decision.

Cable Length

Cable Length

The further a signal has to travel along a cable, the more it will degrade, so longer Ethernet cables can suffer from signal degradation. The maximum length of cable must not be exceeded to ensure the stable transmission of signals. FS offers 0.15m, 0.3m, 0.6m, 0.9m, 1.5m, 2.1m, 3m, etc., and provides length customisation services from 0.15m to 100m for meeting various network requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Should I upgrade from Cat5e to Cat6?

    A:

    Upgrading to Cat6 makes sense if the equipment on either end is capable of 10 Gbps. For example, core network connections between switches, routers or bridges would benefit from the higher bandwidth.

  • Q: Can I mix Cat5 and Cat6 cables in a network?

    A:

    There's no problem mixing Cat5e and Cat6 cables in the same network so long as you don't create a bottleneck. Use Cat6 in the parts of your network where fast data transfer is important, such as between a switch and a router.

  • Q: Are all Cat6 cables the same?

    A:

    All good quality cables that have been tested and certified by the manufacturer for a certain bandwidth and data rate are essentially the same. FS offers four types of Cat6 cables, such as regular cables, slim cables, flat cables and angle cables.

  • Q: Are Cat8 cables worth the extra money?

    A:

    Cat8 is designed for switch-to-switch communications in 25G and 40G networks. Residential and commercial projects outside the data centre would be better using Cat6a cable. Not only is it less expensive, it's also easier and faster to install.

  • Q: What are the differences and advantages between shielded and unshielded types?

    A:

    Unshielded: There is no shielding layer, and four pairs of transmission lines are intertwined to form a local area network, such as small and medium-sized enterprise data centres. Advantages: Cheap and easy to install. Disadvantages: Unable to shield more electromagnetic interference.
    Shielded: There is an internal shielding layer. The shielding layer refers to aluminium foil and braided mesh. Advantages: Shielding electromagnetic interference and signal noise; good confidentiality performance; higher transmission rate than similar UTP cables.