Max Cable Length ?

[130tdi]

What's the maximum length a Cat 5 cable can be ?

TIA

Simon.

[slinky]

Max is 100m...

as reported here

hth

slinky

[softwaresorcerer]

100m is the max for an official 'in-spec' cable. You could run one much further, providing you can accept the possible performance degradation.

250m certainly still works, but you couldn't guarantee it to a client.

[docevi1]

you can take it longer with a repeater / router / hub...

[Guydw]

It all depends what you are running through the cable, so for example, ethernet has a limit of 100m. Obviously you can go further than this, but to be honest if you are working for a client or whatever, you will do yourself no favours if you don't stick to the guidelines, as the second there is a problem it will get blamed on you.

Also, are you sure that Cat 5 is correct ? Cat 5e or Cat 6 are the current standards to use. If you absolutely have to span longer distances there are various solutions such as long range ethernet, or more switches etc. It is also worth considering fibre (if your L2 device has Gig).

[fish]

I ran two computers and phones over about 100m and they were fine..

[Guydw]

In reality you can go over 100m, but the standards should be adhered to in all commercial environments where you are working for a client, or are working for your company as a member of a network. (unless you want to get a bad reputation, or don't mind being blamed when stuff stops working).