Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingNetworking FundamentalsMedium
A small office is experiencing slow network speeds and frequent disconnections, particularly when large files are transferred between workstations connected to the same switch. The network administrator suspects that the existing network cabling might be a bottleneck. The current cabling is Category 5 (Cat5). Which cable type would provide a significant upgrade in performance for a Gigabit Ethernet network?
- ACategory 5e (Cat5e) Cable
- BCategory 3 (Cat3) Cable
- CFiber Optic Cable
- DCoaxial Cable
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Category 5e (Cat5e) Cable
Category 5e (Cat5e) cable is an enhanced version of Cat5, specifically designed to support Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) over distances up to 100 meters. It offers better performance and reduced crosstalk compared to standard Cat5, which is typically rated for 100 Mbps.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Cat3 cable is an older standard, primarily used for voice communication, and is far too slow for even 100 Mbps Ethernet, let alone Gigabit.
- C. Fiber optic cable offers superior performance and distance, but is generally more expensive and complex to install for standard office workstations than twisted-pair alternatives.
- D. Coaxial cable is used for different purposes (e.g., cable TV, older Ethernet standards) and is not suitable for modern Gigabit Ethernet LANs.
Ethernet Cable Categories
Ethernet cables are categorized by their performance specifications, indicating the maximum data rate and frequency they can support. Higher categories offer better performance and reduced interference.
- Cat5: Up to 100 Mbps (100BASE-TX)
- Cat5e: Up to 1 Gbps (1000BASE-T)
- Cat6: Up to 1 Gbps (1000BASE-T) for longer distances, or 10 Gbps for shorter distances.
Memory trick: Speed Up Your Network, Choose Wisely.