Networking gurus - need info

[Newc]

Without getting into an argument of which is better and why I want to do this, is it possible to turn a Cat5e cable into a Cat5?

[Rich#6]

If you are attaching cable ends you can get ones only rated at 100.

[Jayster]

yes, but why do you want to do this and you also know which is better right!!!

[Jack Napalm]

There is no reason that I can think of to do this. Cat5e is backward compatible and Cat5 can be used where cat5e is recommended but your throughput will be less. Makes no sense why you would you want to do that. I guess you could but it would be a waste of money and/or time.

[Soap]

You came across a bunch of cable and end pieces and not sure which does what?
Did you also come across a crimper and a tester (preferably a fluke) of any kind as well? These will prove very useful and you will actually need them both.
It least a crimper. Does this concern require a punch down tool and a patch panel?
Just asking don't get excited. It all will make sense later.

So you have some stuff and without going in too much information you plan to do what that requires you to ask this question regarding cable and end pieces?

[Axewielder]

Cat 5e and Cat 5 have identical connectors, number of pairs, and usually use the same color codes. The difference is they are spec'ed for higher bitrates (and presumable a higher quality). +1 to the backwards compatible comment.

[Rich#6]

Cat 5e and Cat 5 have identical connectors, number of pairs, and usually use the same color codes.

Wouldn't the connectors be different in the ratings? If he wants to say add at rj-45 ends to the cat 5e and he only used cat5 rated rj45 ends wouldn't that do what he wants?

[Axewielder]

Wouldn't the connectors be different in the ratings? If he wants to say add at rj-45 ends to the cat 5e and he only used cat5 rated rj45 ends wouldn't that do what he wants?

I meant identical as far as the form factor. Yeah, the cat 5e rated connectors are different in that they are spec'ed for the higher speeds.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Here's the simple answer... Plug it in. It will work. There is really no "turn into" involved. Just plug it in. It will work.

[rjohnstone]

Cat 5 is rated for 10/100 and Cat 5e is rated for 10/100/1000.
There is no such thing as a Cat 5e specific connector. Cat 5 and Cat 5e connectors are the same.
The difference is in the cable design, mainly in the shielding quality and tighter twisted pairs to keep crosstalk down.


Just make sure you don't have any of that crappy Chinese Cat 5e cable either.
It's easy to spot. Looks like copper wire, but when you strip it back, you can see that it's actually aluminum wire with a copper coating.

But to specifically answer your question, if you have a Cat 5e cable, you do not need to modify if for Cat 5 use. It will just work.

[Rich#6]

I thought cat5e was only rated at about 350 and cat 6 was 1000? At least that's what is was when I had the network installed.
see:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1032884

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1180224

[Rich#6]

I am only seeing connectors for cat5/5e and cat 6. It's been a while.

[rjohnstone]

I thought cat5e was only rated at about 350 and cat 6 was 1000? At least that's what is was when I had the network installed.
see:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1032884

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/def...px?EDC=1180224

Those are frequency range ratings, not transfer speeds.
Cat 5e and cat 6 are both rated for Gigbit Ethernet.

[Soap]

Here's the simple answer... Plug it in. It will work. There is really no "turn into" involved. Just plug it in. It will work.

Yep true.

[Soap]

Cat 5 is rated for 10/100 and Cat 5e is rated for 10/100/1000.
There is no such thing as a Cat 5e specific connector. Cat 5 and Cat 5e connectors are the same.
The difference is in the cable design, mainly in the shielding quality and tighter twisted pairs to keep crosstalk down.

But to specifically answer your question, if you have a Cat 5e cable, you do not need to modify if for Cat 5 use. It will just work.

All of this is true.