cat6 cable

[baggio]

We are planning to make a small datacenter in our basement. Can we run cat6 cable or cat5 cable? What would you recommend? Also, I'm not sure how to put the jack for cat6. Anyone has any document or URL that I can check?

Thanks in advance.

[KenB]

Depends on what you need. Cat5E should be fine for home network needs at maximum gigabit speeds between devices. Cat6A can provide up to 10 gigabit speeds, but is more expensive, more sensitive to noise and, as you discovered, more difficult to terminate.

Ken

[Jamson]

Do you need high speeds? If not, Cat5E should be fine, as already mentioned.

[baggio]

Yes, I'm planning to stream video as well. I already run the cat6 cable now, but I haven't terminate yet. Where I can buy those tools to put the jack?

[KenB]

Maybe terminating this stuff isn't so hard. Here's a link from Siemon about their slick Z-MAX system: Siemon Video Highlights Innovative Z-MAX Category 6A Termination Process with Z-TOOL - The Fastest Category 6A Termination in the Cabling Industry (http://www.siemon.com/us/company/press_releases/09-07-16-z-max-termination-video.asp). I have no experience with it, but the tool and outlets are available inexpensively from twacomm.com. If you decide to use it, please let us know how it goes.

Ken