Basic Cable Types

Question 1

CAT3

Answer 1

10BASE-T Ethernet; Up to 10Mbps;Legacy; also supported Token Ring networks at up to 16Mbps

Question 2

CAT5

Answer 2

10BASE-T, 100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet); Up to 100Mbps;Uses 24-gauge wires

Question 3

CAT5e

Answer 3

10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet);Up to 1000Mbps; Enhanced version of CAT5

Question 4

CAT6

Answer 4

10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet);Up to 1000Mbps (1Gbps);Often uses 22-gauge or 20-gauge wire pairs (both of which are thicker than 24-gauge wire)

Question 5

CAT6a*

Answer 5

10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T, 10GBASE-T (10Gbps Ethernet); Up to 10Gbps; Enhanced version of CAT6

Question 6

CAT7

Answer 6

10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T, 10GBASE-T (10Gbps Ethernet); Up to 10Gbps; Uses 12-connector GG45 connector (backward compatible with RJ-45)