Answer: The performance of Cat5e cable can be affected by several things, not the least of which is quality of material. Some installers, in an effort to save money will use the cheapest Cat5e cable they can buy, burdening you with problems while increasing their profits. Some cable makers also use the cheapest Cat5e cable they can buy for the construction of Cat5e patch cables, and Cat5e crossover cables, in order to maximize their profits and offer the consumer a "bargain" cable. This is no bargain when you consider that the cheaper grades of cable in many cases run at less than half the speed of high quality cable.

Network equipment can also have a profound effect on the performance of Cat5e cable. If you have devices in your network that are all rated for Cat5e, but you have one device either defective or not properly rated, then your entire network can slow down as a result. A network will typically operate at the speed of the slowest device in it.

Answer: There can be. The introduction of CAT 6 cable was done to meet the specific needs of "Gigabit Ethernet". A whole generation of new networking components has been introduced for the purpose of having a Gigabit network. Network Interface Cards, Routers, Switches, Patch panels, Hubs, and many other components have been developed in order to create a network that can be "certified" as a full gigabit network.

It is important to remember that in order to achieve this goal, EVERY single component in the network must be Gigabit certified. If a single component in the network is rated at a speed below that, it is possible and very likely that the network will operate at a much slower speed.

Many IT professionals and installers have realized that very good network performance can be achieved using CAT 5e Ethernet cable and other networking components. A good quality CAT 5e cable can deliver near or at gigabit speeds, and will do so at a much lower cost that Cat 6 cables.

The most important thing to remember is this: Buy what you need, and no more. It is not necessary to spend the money for CAT 6 if you do not have to.

Answer: Plenum rated cable generally has the same data transmission performance specifications as regular CAT5e, but there are some differences in the wire pair coating, and the outer jacket of the cable itself.

Plenum rated CAT5e cable has a jacket that meets specific ANSI requirements to be flame retardant and have low smoke production. The idea being that if the building is involved in a fire, the Cat5e Plenum cable will not burn as easy as a standard PVC jacket, and will produce less smoke than a typical Cat5e cable if it does catch fire. The only drawback to this theory has to do with the fact that if Plenum rated CAT5e cable actually does catch fire, it has been reported that it can actually burn at hotter temperatures than PVC jacketed Cat5e cable.

Deciding if you need plenum typically will come down to specific requirements of the code dictating certain aspects of the job. For example, if you were making an office that was HIPPA compliant, Plenum rated cable would most likely be required to meet the code specifications for that building. Most users and installers will never have a need for this type of cable. Also, Plenum rated cable is about three times the cost of regular PVC jacketed CAT5e cable.

Answer: Without question, the first and most important precaution would be the selection of the actual cable itself. There are a ton of cheap brands of cable on the market, and an uneducated salesperson would be quick to tell you that all cables are the same. Even the big retail electronic stores will carry cheap cable in fancy packaging that is not worth buying, so choose wisely.

The next thing to consider is the location where you will be running the cable:

• On or along the floor in a manner that will leave the cable exposed to foot traffic or wheels rolling over it.
• Behind any "permanent" fixture, preventing access to the cable in the event it requires upgrading or repair in the future.
• In close proximity to electrical conduit or other high-voltage electrical sources. This is not only a performance issue, but a major safety consideration for any install. A general rule of thumb calls for at least 18 inches of separation between electrical and data lines, but you will need to check local codes and other applicable regulations.
• Any area that is likely to see temperatures lower than -4 degrees Fahrenheit, or higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit are referred to as sustained temperatures, not a single occurrence. Most of the high-quality CAT 5 material will operate within the temperature range previously mentioned.
• Any location that will violate local, state, or federal regulations regarding the installation of cable in your specific situation, will be considered unsafe or illegal for any reason. An example of this would be running a cable from your house over to a neighbouring residence so that they can share your high-speed Internet connection through a router. In many cases, this is illegal because the DSL or Cable service is sold to a specific client at a single residence.

Last, a few things to consider during the actual install:

• Mark junction box locations carefully, and do not drop the cable into the desired location until after the hole is cut. You can damage the cable otherwise.
• When pulling cable through drop-in ceilings, you must be sure to prevent the cable from scraping along sharp edges. To prevent this, you should have a partner help guide the cable from the roll or spool, keeping it clear of the ceiling framework at all times. If you are forced to do this work alone, there are commercially available "edge-guards" that you can place over the edges of ceiling framework to protect the cable as it passes over it. These will usually have some type of roller system to allow for smooth cable movement without snagging.
• Plan ahead. Look at the installation location and try to imagine changes in the future. Make sure that you allow for movement of furniture, installation of new equipment or appliances, and of course, expansion of the network.
• Take your time. Every rushed install will most likely have something wrong with it. Get it right the first time.