Listen to this Post
Ethernet cables are classified into “CAT-N” categories (“CAT” meaning Category) based on their performance specifications, primarily bandwidth (MHz), maximum data rate (Mbps or Gbps), and transmission distance. Here’s a breakdown of common Ethernet cable categories:
- CAT5: 100 Mbps, 100 MHz (Legacy, outdated)
- CAT5e: 1 Gbps, 100 MHz (Enhanced, reduced crosstalk)
- CAT6: 1 Gbps (up to 10 Gbps at shorter distances), 250 MHz
- CAT6a: 10 Gbps, 500 MHz (Shielded, reduced interference)
- CAT7: 10 Gbps, 600 MHz (Shielded, industrial use)
- CAT8: 25/40 Gbps, 2000 MHz (Data centers, short runs)
High-res PDF resource: study-notes.org
You Should Know: Practical Commands and Tools for Network Testing
1. Check Network Interface Speed (Linux/Windows)
- Linux:
ethtool eth0 | grep "Speed"
- Windows:
Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, LinkSpeed
2. Test Network Bandwidth
- iperf3 (Cross-platform):
Server mode iperf3 -s Client mode (replace IP) iperf3 -c 192.168.1.1
3. Cable Quality Check
- Use a cable tester or Linux’s
mii-tool:sudo mii-tool -v eth0
4. Ping Latency Test
ping -c 10 google.com
5. View ARP Table (MAC Addresses)
arp -a
6. Windows NIC Configuration
netsh interface show interface
What Undercode Say
Ethernet cables are foundational for wired networks, but performance hinges on correct deployment. Use CAT6a or higher for 10 Gbps setups, and validate physical layers with tools like `ethtool` or iperf3. For data centers, CAT8 ensures future-proofing, while home networks thrive on CAT5e/CAT6. Always test cables post-installation to avoid bottlenecks.
Expected Output:
Speed: 1000Mb/s PING google.com (142.250.190.46): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 142.250.190.46: icmp_seq=0 ttl=117 time=12.3 ms
Relevant URL: study-notes.org
References:
Reported By: Xmodulo Ethernet – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
