UTP categories (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

Question 1

Cat 1 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 1

Throughput: Voice only

Not suitable for networks but usable by modems

Question 2

Cat 2 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 2

Throughput: 4 Mbps

Not suitable for most networks; often employed for host to terminal connections on mainframes

Question 3

Cat 3 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 3

Throughput: 10 Mbps

Primarily used in 10BaseT Ethernet networks + telephone cables

Question 4

Cat 4 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 4

Throughput: 16 Mbps

Primarily used in token ring networks

Question 5

Cat 5 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 5

Throughput: 100 Mbps

Used in 100BaseTX, FDDI, ATM networks

Question 6

Cat 6 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 6

Throughput: 1000 Mbps

Used in high speed networks

Question 7

Cat 7 - Throughput? further info?

Answer 7

Throughput: 10 Gbps

Used in 10 gigabit speed networks

Question 8

Cat 5e - What is it?

Answer 8

Enhanced version to Cat5; far-end crosstalk protection; used by 100BaseT and 1000BaseT