Which twisted-pair cable category is rated for both a 10-megabit-per-second (Mbps) data rate (using two pairs) and a 100-Mbps data rate (using four pairs)?
Cat3 cable was originally rated for use in voice-grade telephone networks but has since been certified for use in data networks. Cat3 cable can support data transfer rates from 4 mbps up to 100 mbps (100base-t4 and 100vg-any lan). Although this type of cable can run at 100 mbps, it is seldom used, and it isnt recommended for transfer rates greater than 10 mbps. Cat2 is used for telephone networks, miniframe and mainframe connections, and older data network architectures such as arcnet and localtalk. Cat4 cable can be used in token ring networks that offer 16-mbps data rates. Cat5 cable is the primary cable standard for data rates up to 100 mbps. Cat5e is rated for data rates up to 1000 mbps, as on gigabit ethernet networks.