Although WLAN is now available almost everywhere, network cables are far from obsolete. They ensure a stable connection and maximize the speed of data transmission - not only in professional, but also in private environments.
The prerequisite for this is that you choose the right version for your requirements. To ensure that this is no longer a problem for you in the future, find out here how network cables differ.
Network cables enable data transmission between different devices within a (LAN) network. This physical connection between switches, computers and servers, for example, is far more stable and faster than WLAN connections.
It is therefore indispensable in the corporate environment, for streaming or other applications with high requirements.
The type of network cable also determines how much of the possible device performance can be achieved.
By the way: Ethernet or LAN cables are also used as an alternative. Another word that is used as a synonym is patch cable. Strictly speaking, however, these are cables that are less than one meter long.
Per Definition gibt es mehrere Arten von Netzwerkkabeln, zu denen beispielsweise auch Hoax- oder Crossover-Kabel gehören. Da diese in modernen Netzwerken allerdings kaum eine Rolle spielen, sparen wir diese an dieser Stelle aus.
Copper cables are the most widely used and can therefore be found in almost every network. Data is transmitted electrically. This is also referred to as twisted pair cables. The copper wires in these are twisted together in pairs (wound around each other in a helical shape). They offer better protection against electrical and magnetic interference fields than wires running parallel to each other.
Network cables are also divided into categories (Category = CAT) from 1-8 so that they can cope with any load, from small amounts of data in the home office to huge simultaneous transmissions in companies.
As CAT 1-4 cables are rarely if ever used today, we will only present the versions that are relevant to you below.
CAT5e cables are the standard for home use and are included with commercially available routers, for example. They offer a bandwidth of 100 MHz and transmission rates of up to 1000 Mbits/s, thus reaching the gigabit range. They are also shielded and therefore less susceptible to interference.
They are increasingly preferred to the outdated CAT5 cables, which only support data transmission of up to 100 Mbits/s and have no shielding.
The next category impresses with even faster data transmission. Unlike their predecessors, these network cables are therefore used in more demanding home applications or even in medium-sized companies. They are a good choice for regular gaming, home office or intensive uploads and downloads. In addition, cables from this category onwards can be used as so-called installation cables, i.e. laid under plaster.
Here too, network cables in this category are divided into two classes: CAT6 cables have a bandwidth of 250 MHz and 1000 Mbits/s, CAT6a cables even have 500 MHz and 10,000 Mbits/s - and therefore 10 GB Ethernet.
The shielding of these cables is even better than that of the 5th category.
One of the differences between these network cables is that they sometimes have a GG45 connector instead of an RJ45 connector. However, these versions are downwards compatible. Here, great importance is attached to solid shielding so that low-interference operation is achieved.
Together with the bandwidth of 600 MHz and the transmission speed of 10,000 Mbit/s, the cables are popular in larger company and IT networks.
CAT8 cables are used in areas where high performance is required. These are currently the most powerful network cables - by far. With a bandwidth of 2000 MHz and a transmission speed of 40,000 Mbits/s, they stand out from the previous categories.
Such a cable is suitable for you, for example, in the corporate environment and in huge server rooms.
| CAT5 | CAT5e | CAT6 | CAT6a | CAT7 | CAT8 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 250 MHz | 500 MHz | 600 MHz | 2000 MHz |
| Speed | 100 Mbit/s | 1000 Mbit/s | 10.000 Mbit/s | 10.000 Mbit/s | 10.000 Mbit/s | 40.000 Mbit/s |
| Shielding | none | good | good |
good | very good | very good |
| Connection type | RJ45 | RJ45 | RJ45 |
RJ45 | RJ45 or GG45 | RJ45 or GG45 |
| Application | Occasionally in home networks | Standard for home networks | Home networks with higher requirements | Home networks + medium-sized companies | Home networks + medium-sized companies | Large companies with high data traffic |
In addition to the classic and widely used CAT cables, fiber optic cables (also known as fiber optic cables) are becoming increasingly relevant.
The inner workings of these cables consist of fibers that use light pulses to transmit information. These are each individually covered with a plastic coating, which is then bundled and sheathed.
A further distinction is made between these network cables:
Twisted pair cables are the standard and guarantee fast and reliable data transmission, depending on the selected performance category. Nevertheless, the expansion of the fiber optic network is being strongly promoted.
This is due to the advantages that these network cables have to offer. These include the following:
Whether you exploit the full potential of your hardware depends heavily on the choice of the right cable. Whether you are an intensive gamer, a small or large company - you will not only notice the difference, but in large network infrastructures you cannot do without a high-quality cable.
Despite having an overview of the different network cables, you don't know which one to choose? Then get in touch with us. We can advise you and help you with our product range. Please get in touch using our inquiry form.
