I will be starting college in a week or so, and was wondering how I know what type of Ethernet cable to buy. Do I need to look at a plug on my computer or the wall of the dorm room. If I need to look at my computer my laptop is a Lenovo T520 with windows 7 professional if that helps. Also to answer some questions I know might arise yes they have Wi-Fi available but They said they have high speed wired Ethernet avalible as well. And I will not be having a roommate any advice would be great thanks.
How do I know what Ethernet cable I need to buy?
YAR
All Ethernet jacks take the same plug: it looks like an oversized landline phone plug.
Get an Ethernet cable long enough to reach from the wall jack to your desk. It will be marked "Cat 6", "Cat 5", or "Cat 5e"; doesn't matter which you get.
If they have "straight" cables, vs. "crossover", get a "straight" cable.
Get a color you like.
Joe
It's been a long time since I've used hard-wire. You can buy a router and run the hard wire into the router. Then, you can use your laptop anywhere at your place - desk, couch, bed, kitchen. That is what I do at my house.
Cat 5 cable comes to mind. I looked it up, and it looks like the one. I think that is what you use.
https://www.amazon.com/...003O973OA/
I've used this router for at least 3 years. It has worked great, fast, and without fail. It's cheap compared to Linksys, which is a top name in routers.
Mooned Y!A
Lol
Jake
Get a Cat6 Cable and you'll be fine. Or buy a cheap USB Wi-Fi adaptor.
mark
A standard Ethernet will work on everything. However, you want to make sure it has a good enough length or you'll be crammed up against your modem.
Leanne
Cat 6 is overkill, it is generally for 10G connections. Most likely the most your dorm will have is 1G or 100M. Cat 5e is probably what you want, (cat 5 is 100M max).
BigE
When we say "Ethernet" we're talking about standardized plugs, so your only choices are things like the quality of the cable. A "cat 5" (or category 5) cable is good for lower speeds. If you have a 100 Mb or 1 Gb Ethernet backbone to your college room, you want Cat 6 - and your student handbook might even address the requirement. If not, ask the "room mother" to find out if there's a requirement.
Before you ask, "Cat 4" and older cables haven't been used for over two decades. Maybe approaching three decades by now. So either cat 5 or cat 6 will do. Here's another thought: Frequent, the student bookstore will sell books and accessories and will know what is required for the rooms.
As to length, two commonly used sizes are 6 feet and 25 feet. I have not often seen other lengths. You want a cable long enough to reach from the work space to the plug. Beyond that, too much length will actually slow down your response. (It's called an "LC" delay.)
The_Doc_Man
Standard ethernet cable is RJ 45, see the product specification before buying.
Amaz