Ethernet cables?

[419]

Hi,

I'm looking to get an ethernet cable since my internet upstairs really sucks, my question is: are all ethernet cables the same or are some better than others? If so please give some examples, if you know a better way to make internet better/more stable upstairs then please also inform me about these.

[Greg]

They are all the same. Better quality = lasts longer? but honestly who keeps an Ethernet cord for more than 10yrs lol. All the gold plated and that stuff is for idiots, it really means nothing for performance

Just go with a well known brand to avoid defects

[Jacob]

Go with a middle price Ethernet cable. The only reason to get the really good brand is if you can run really fast speed. But it sounds like you don't so just get an average grade cable and it will most likely hold be more then enough for your internet.

[dan]

Don't get ripped off spending too much for special cable. All you need is a standard CAT5, CAT5e or CAT6 patch cable. Shouldn't cost more than 5 to 10 bucks.

That being said, I'll explain,

There are basically three Ethernet standards in use:
IEEE 802.3a - 10BASE2 - 10 Mbps
IEEE 802.3u - 100BASE-TX - 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)
IEEE 802.3z - 1000BASE-X - 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet)

Ethernet standards are backward compatible and all use standard RJ45 (8P8C) modular connectors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8P8C#8P8C

Most Ethernet connections today are 100 Mbps fast Ethernet using CAT5 UTP cable. Gigabit Ethernet is 1000 Mbps using CAT6 or CAT5e UTP cable and devices.

Ethernet connections are determined by the speed of the port and the cabling. The connection speed will always negotiate to the speed of the slowest device.

For example if you have CAT6 Ethernet cable connected to your router which has Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) ports, and it is connected to a old PC with a 10 Mbps NIC (network interface card) then your connection speed would be limited to 10 Mbps.

In order to achieve Gigabit LAN speeds, all devices in the connection need to be Gigabit. This would include the LAN ports on the router, the network interface cards in both devices and the cables connecting them.

You can always mix faster Ethernet cables and devices to slower networks, However as was said the network will default to the slowest link.

Remember, this is only the local LAN speed. Internet (WAN) speed is determined by your ISP. For example a 3 Mbps DSL connection can only provide 3 Mbps even if connected to a Gigabit Ethernet LAN network.

As far as other options,

I prefer Ethernet, however if it is not feasible to run cables you can get a wireless extender or a pair of powerline network adapters.

Wireless extenders plug in and regenerate WiFi signals to increase the wireless range of your router. The TP-LINK TL-WA850RE is the least expensive at around $30.

Powerline network adapters are easily installed. You just plug one in by your router and one in the room where you need access and connect them to the devices with standard Ethernet patch cables. The network signals are transmitted over your existing home electrical wiring which will not be affected by wireless interference. There is still some extra overhead in the connection but it is much more stable than WiFi.

Here are some reviews of wireless extenders and powerline adapters. http://isp1.us/reviews/

Good Luck.

[texasking]

if you have your wifi router downstairs that's the first mistake people make, wireless signal drops as it goes out you always want your router in the highest place you can put it in your house. but if you cant put it upstairs you can try going to a bigger router I usually recommend a dual band wireless n router its backward compatible to wireless g. I like the Linksys e1200, the e2500 or a ea2700 if your going to have more than 6 people on at a time. if you still want to do Ethernet a cat5e cable will do fine because you never get more faster speed than something that is hard line in. hope that helps

[David E]

Just make sure it is Cat 5e or Cat 6 and sufficiently long to make the distance. You can have cables that are 100 meters long (about a football field length.) Go up a bit from cheapest and it will work fine.

[tumbleweed_biff]

Monoprice.com provides high quality ethernet cables at extremely reasonable prices. 100' CAT 6 cables with molded ends are under $12.

Your best bet at this time is to get CAT 6 cables. If you are running it through attic spaces it needs to be plenum grade.

You do NOT need your wireless router to be as high as possible. Generally, the router will broadcast in a 360 degree sphere. You would actually be better off putting your router in the basement and then shielding it with heavy aluminum foil in all directions in which you do not have devices trying to pick up signal. So if it was on the ground floor or basement and you didn't have any devices below it, placing foil underneath it would protect it from any signals coming from that direction and reflect the portion of your signal going in that direction back up, thereby strengthening your upwards signal while blocking interference from below you. If all your WiFi devices are east of the router, place foil or other reflective surface to the west of the router, etc.