Which cable type is rated for gigabit speeds up to 1000 Mbps?

Prepare for your next Desktop Support Technician Interview Test. Explore a range of multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to boost your confidence and ready yourself for the examination day!

Multiple Choice

Which cable type is rated for gigabit speeds up to 1000 Mbps?

Understanding Ethernet cable categories and the speeds they support is key here. CAT5e is the enhanced version of CAT5 and is designed to carry 1 gigabit per second Ethernet reliably over typical distances (up to about 100 meters). That makes it capable of up to 1000 Mbps, which is the gigabit speed in question. CAT5, the older standard, maxes out around 100 Mbps, so it doesn’t meet gigabit needs. CAT6 and CAT6a can also handle 1 Gbps and beyond (with CAT6a supporting higher speeds like 10 Gbps over longer runs), but CAT5e is the commonly used, cost-effective choice that reliably delivers gigabit speeds in most Ethernet installations.

Understanding Ethernet cable categories and the speeds they support is key here. CAT5e is the enhanced version of CAT5 and is designed to carry 1 gigabit per second Ethernet reliably over typical distances (up to about 100 meters). That makes it capable of up to 1000 Mbps, which is the gigabit speed in question.

CAT5, the older standard, maxes out around 100 Mbps, so it doesn’t meet gigabit needs. CAT6 and CAT6a can also handle 1 Gbps and beyond (with CAT6a supporting higher speeds like 10 Gbps over longer runs), but CAT5e is the commonly used, cost-effective choice that reliably delivers gigabit speeds in most Ethernet installations.

More practice questions