Ethernet-using Tooters!
Do you have an Ethernet LAN at home? How fast is it? (The most common speed on your LAN, however you define it.)
Boost for improved packet latency. Also see the Wi-Fi poll in this thread
Wi-Fi-using Tooters!
Do you have a Wi-Fi LAN at home? What generation is it? (The most common type, if you have more than one)
Boost for reduced packet loss. Also see the Ethernet poll in this thread.
I'm asking about Ethernet because this house is stuck at 1 Gbit (long runs of 25 year old Cat5) and I've got FOMO.
I'm asking about Wi-Fi just because.
@kbob 2.5GBASE-T was designed to run over Cat-5 (especially Cat-5E which is just basically a somewhat tighter manufacturing tolerances for Cat-5).
I’d expect to be able to run 2.5GBASE-T over 50-100m (150-300 feet) of Cat-5(E) in a home environment (less cable bundle cross talk, or industrial electrical noise sources).
(5GBASE-T and especially 10GBASE-T are more picky about cable type and/or length, especially 10G.)
@kbob also FWIW the Cat-5E spec was introduced in 2001 (about to be 25 years ago), and largely just standardised existing best manufacturing/installation practice. So even if it’s labelled only Cat-5, and installed in 2000 exactly, there’s a reasonable chance it meets Cat-5E specs too, if reasonably well installed.
Especially for runs under 50m / 150 feet I’d probably just try 2.5GBASE-T and see if it’s stable in practice.
@ewenmcneill @9eurosyltbesucher You're both right, I should try plugging in some higher speed equipment and see what happens. I haven't done that. The most important run is from my office to the demarc+server rack, which are on opposite ends of the house and two floors apart. Probably right around 50 meters.
When I look at the cost of upgrading all the switches (~30 ports in 4 locations, some PoE) it starts to look expensive. But one switch and one NIC for testing wouldn't be.
Kernel Bob 
Ewen McNeill
