|
Maximum cable lengh for
ethernet depends on what kind of ethernet you are talking about!
Here are some details on the most popular kinds of ethernet. (UTP =
unshielded twisted pair)
Gigabit Ethernet (over
copper), 1000baseT
|
Speed: |
1000 Mbps |
|
Max Len: |
100
Meters |
|
Cable: |
UTP, RJ-45 connectors |
Fast Ethernet, 100baseT
|
Speed: |
100 Mbps |
|
Max Len: |
100
Meters |
|
Cable: |
UTP, RJ-45
connectors |
Twisted Pair Ethernet, 10baseT
|
Speed: |
10 Mbps |
|
Max Len: |
100
Meters |
|
Cable: |
UTP, RJ-45
connectors |
Thin Ethernet , 10 base 2
|
Speed: |
10 Mbps |
|
Max Len: |
185
Meters |
|
Cable: |
RG-58 type coax, 50 ohm impedance
|
Thick Ethernet, 10 base
5
|
Speed: |
10 Mbps |
|
Max Len: |
500 Meters |
|
Cable: |
RG-58 type coax, 50 ohm impedance
|
Ethernet to Fiber
Ethernet to Fiber media
converters are starting to come down in price - they can be
found for under $150. When 100Meters is not enough distance,
an Ethernet to fiber media converter can be placed on each end
making the maximum distance something like 40Km( See
the Example here
). Another use for fiber is
electrical insulation. Some people like to run cables
underground between homes. If you run CAT5
cable, the homes have different 'ground potentials' and
you will burn out network card durring any electrical
storm. The solution is fiber! Run fiber betweeen the
homes or run a pair of fiber converters on one end of the cable with
a short fiber run. This will electrically separate the two
homes. Any other questions about
maximum cable length for ethernet or network toplogies can be directed to
the forums | 
About Max Cable Lengths
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