How to tell if a network cable is a gigabit cable

　　To determine whether the network cable is a gigabit network cable, you can proceed from the following aspects:

　　First, check the logo on the outer skin of the network cable

　　This is the most direct and fast way to determine. The outer skin of the network cable is usually printed with the words "CAT5", "CAT5E", "CAT6", "CAT6A", "CAT7" or "CAT8", which represent different network cable types.

　　CAT5: Category 5 cable, belonging to 100M network cable.

　　CAT5E: Super Category 5 cable, performance has been improved, but it is still mainly used for 100-megabit networks, but some Super Category 5 cables can also support gigabit network tranSMission.

　　CAT6 and CAT6A: Category 6 and enhanced Category 6 cables, capable of supporting gigabit rates, are representative of gigabit network cables.

　　CAT7 and CAT8: Category 7 and Category 8 lines that support higher network speeds, at 10 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit levels, respectively (but in reality, CAT7 is typically used for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, while CAT8 is used for higher-speed network applications, such as 40Gbps).

　　Second, observe the signal lights on the network equipment

　　When the network cable is connected to a network device (e.g. switch, router), an indicator light will be displayed on the network port on the device. Usually, the different states of the indicator light can reflect the network speed:

　　If the green light is on on the left, it indicates that you are connecting to a 100Mbps device.

　　If the green light is on on the right, it indicates that a device with a 10 Mbps speed is connected.

　　If both green lights are on, it is likely that the device that supports gigabit rate is connected. But please note that this method needs to ensure that the switch, network cable and connected devices support gigabit rate, otherwise it cannot be accurately judged.

　　Check the network interface card information

　　If the network interface card supports gigabit rate, and network devices such as switches and routers also support gigabit, then the network interface card information will show gigabit connection. On the contrary, if the network interface card only supports 100MB rate, then even if the gigabit network cable is connected, it can only reach 100MB transmission rate. This method requires some computer and network knowledge.

　　IV. Check the internal structure of the network cable

　　Although direct observation of the internal structure requires peeling off the outer skin of the network cable, it is also an important means to distinguish the gigabit network cable. The interior of the gigabit network cable usually contains 8 thin wires, divided into 4 pairs, each pair is different in color and twisted. Especially for Cat6 and above network cables, a cross skeleton or other form of partition design is added inside to reduce signal interference and improve transmission performance.

　　Test the transmission speed

　　The most direct and effective way is to determine whether it is a gigabit network cable by testing the actual transmission speed of the network cable. You can use professional network testing tools or software to connect the network cable to a device that supports gigabit network for testing. If the transmission speed can reach or approach 1Gbps (gigabit per second), then the network cable is a gigabit network cable.

　　Sixth, pay attention to brand and certification

　　Selecting network cable products from well-known brands that have been certified is also an important way to ensure the purchase of gigabit network cables. Well-known brands usually have strict quality control systems, and relevant certifications (such as UL, ETL, etc.) are an official recognition of network cable performance.

　　In summary, by checking the logo on the outer skin of the network cable, observing the signal lights on the network equipment, checking the network interface card information, checking the internal structure of the network cable, testing the transmission speed, and paying attention to the brand and certification, we can effectively distinguish the Gigabit network cable. When purchasing, it is recommended to consider the above factors comprehensively to ensure the selection of Gigabit network cable products with excellent performance and reliable quality.