Before Wi-Fi became widely available, Ethernet was the method of connecting devices. Traffic might be sent back and forth in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) by running Ethernet connections. Machines that use Ethernet can communicate data to other devices and identify data intended for themselves. Since delivering data over cables is faster, more dependable, and more secure than sending information over radio waves as Wi-Fi does, it is still commonly utilized.
Ethernet remains a terrific option if you want to optimize your internet connection, and it makes sense for any company that values speed, security, and dependability. All you need to know about Ethernet is contained here. View our guides on Best Wi-Fi Routers 2024, Best Mesh Systems, and How to Buy a Router as well.
Networking and Wireless
Even if all you’ve ever used is Wi-Fi, you are undoubtedly familiar with Ethernet cables and accessories. Most often, an Ethernet cable with an RJ45 connector links your modem to your Wi-Fi router or primary mesh unit. Three key benefits of Ethernet over Wi-Fi are its speed, stability, and security. But connected gadgets need to have Ethernet ports, and you have to run wires between them. Network wiring can be laborious and expensive as well.
In the end, the lowest-rated component — the cable, port, or switch — will always determine how fast you can go. Let us examine all three of them more closely.
Network Cables
These days, there are seven different types of Ethernet cable available, each with a different highest bandwidth and data rate.
- To 350 MHz and 100 Mbps with Cat 5
- Enhance Cat 5e: 350 MHz and 1 Gbps
- Cat 6: 1 Gbps at up to 550 MHz
- Cat 6a (enhanced): 10 Gbps at 550 MHz
- Cat 7: 10 Gbps and 600 MHz
- Up to 40 Gbps and 1 GHz with Cat 7a
- Cat 8: 25–40 Gbps and up to 2 GHz
Though some cables feature metallic or foil shielding (STP or FTP, which stand for Shielded Twisted Pair or Foiled Twisted Pair), cables at their most basic form have pairs of wires twisted together with a plastic covering (UTP, or Unshielded Twisted Pair). It thickens and loses flexibility of wires in addition to insulating them from electromagnetic interference. The capabilities of any Ethernet cable will be listed by the manufacturer, however basic specifications are often displayed on the plastic casing.
Ethernet cables can be broken even though they are usually extremely durable, particularly if you plug and unplug them frequently. Should you run wires throughout your home, exercise caution around sharp curves and steer clear of busy areas where they could be stepped on or bumped. Though they can be more expensive, thin or flat Ethernet cables frequently have less insulation and are less robust.
An Ethernet cable does not always cease to function completely when it is damaged. Its speed will be restricted, nevertheless, if linked devices identify it as a lower category cable. When it happened to me, I was shocked. The router I was testing restricted my 1 Gbps connection to 100 Mbps, and a Cat 7 cable rated at 10 Gbps that had been operating flawlessly for months suddenly broke. While there is a maximum length of an Ethernet connection before the signal quality deteriorates, wiring your house typically doesn’t require you to worry about that.
To be future-proof, acquire a Cat 7 or Cat 8 cable because running wires can be a pain, particularly if you hide them in walls, ceilings, or floors. They are backward compatible and the price difference is tiny anyhow. My Gigabit internet connection is ideal for the 10-foot Amazon Basics Cat 7 Ethernet Cable ($11). My two attempts at flat cables both had problems.
Ethernet Ports
Ethernet ports are few on many routers and mesh systems these days. They come in various ratings, much like cables, but are typically easier to understand. Standard gigabit ports include: A few routers support 10 Gbps and many more have 2.5 Gbps ports. On router ports, the highest data rate is often indicated. Maybe you need to look up the specifications for different devices.
Ethernet Switching
An Ethernet switch could be necessary whether you need more ports or wish to run Ethernet cables throughout your house. Various in size, Ethernet switches let you run several wires out to different rooms or devices from your router. Though you can acquire switches with more ports, like this unmanaged eight-port one from TP-Link ($25) that WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu uses, I am now using this Netgear Five Port Gigabit Network Switch ($33).
Typically, switches are categorized as managed or unmanaged. For those who enjoy fiddling and want to prioritize channels and traffic, modify and monitor settings, and maybe add more security features, go for managed. Just plug and play, unmanaged switches are typically less expensive and sufficient for most homes.
Using Ethernet at Home
The benefits of speed, stability, and security we described can be obtained by running Ethernet cables throughout your house; the difficulty of this task will rely on the design of your home and your readiness to bore holes. Though it’s significantly easier, Wi-Fi will always give rates that are much slower than what your internet service provider actually allows. Ethernet connections allow you to approach those maximum speeds far more closely.
For optimal performance from their mesh system, anyone with a wired backhaul capable system should think about running an Ethernet connection from their main router to their nodes or satellites. Cables to every room would be too disruptive for most people. If not, the mesh will send traffic back and forth using one of the wireless bands, which reduces the amount of bandwidth accessible to devices and causes slower Wi-Fi rates for all devices linked to a node.
At Last
Our thorough Ethernet cable guide shows that these cables are the backbone of wired internet connections, providing reliability, stability, and high-speed data transport. This tutorial has helped beginners and experts understand Ethernet types and variations and build and maintain Ethernet configurations. Remember that Ethernet cables are only one part of connectivity. Wireless router support services are crucial in today’s wireless-dominated digital world. Ethernet cables provide unmatched dependability and speed for wired connections, but wireless routers provide flexibility and convenience for home and business networking. Professional wireless router assistance can improve your experience while setting up a wired Ethernet network for gaming, streaming, or professional use or merging it with a wireless network for smooth communication. To maximize your internet connection, these firms specialize in wireless network configuration, optimization, and troubleshooting.
