الوسم: Wi-Fi & Networks Tip

About a week ago, I made a decision: I would never purchase another Ethernet cable again.

If you’re anything like me, you likely have a stash of cables tucked away in a drawer or box. While some of these cables have specific ends, like USB-C, my wired network consists of a jumbled mix of Ethernet cables, each in different colors and marked with tiny labels indicating their capabilities. But how much data can each of these really transfer? I couldn’t tell you. And that’s a major oversight.

Until now, I hadn’t given much thought to the Ethernet cables connecting my cable modem, router, Xbox, and PC. Despite running speed tests on multiple occasions, I often felt my network was lagging, and I knew why: the performance of my network was limited by its slowest link.

If my Ethernet cables were incapable of handling speeds higher than what my router or modem could offer, I might as well be throwing money away. I realized I didn’t need to waste time searching for the latest high-speed mesh router or best gateway. If some of my cables were outdated, they could drag the whole network down. Even if my ISP upgraded my broadband speed, I’d miss out on the benefits. I had already discovered an old Cat5 cable connected to my Xbox—an outdated standard that has been nearly obsolete for years. Gross!

Mark Hachman / Foundry

Just a week prior to my revelation, my colleague Dominic Bayley shared an insightful guide on the various types of Ethernet cables. I took some time to dig deeper. Turns out, Ethernet cables come in several categories, ranging from the antiquated Category 3 to the cutting-edge Category 8.

So, Category 8 is the top-of-the-line choice, huh? When I looked into it, I was pleasantly surprised by the price. A pack of five color-coded, nylon-braided Category 8 Ethernet cables was available for just $35.99 on Amazon. (Update: They’re currently on sale for only $26.99 during Prime Day!)

Internet speeds are continually increasing, with cable modems improving too. Yet, even the best modems and broadband subscriptions typically provide only a few gigabits per second, while a Cat8 cable can offer a staggering 40 Gbps!

Mark Hachman / Foundry

It was a no-brainer for me. I swiftly purchased the cables from Amazon, replaced my outdated ones with the new braided, color-coded versions, and resolved never to stress over my Ethernet cables again.

Grab a pack of five color-coded, nylon-braided Cat8 Ethernet cables for just $26.99!

Just about a week ago, I reached a definitive conclusion: I would never purchase another Ethernet cable.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a drawer or box overflowing with various cables. While some are neatly categorized, like USB-C, my Ethernet collection resembles a jumbled mess of colorful cords, each with tiny labels indicating their capabilities. How much data can they actually handle? I had no idea—and that’s concerning.

I hadn’t given much thought to the Ethernet cables connecting my cable modem, router, Xbox, and desktop PC. Even after running speed tests multiple times and feeling that my network was lagging, I understood the issue: the speed of my entire network is limited by its slowest component.

If my Ethernet cables were outdated and unable to match the performance of my router or gateway, I was likely wasting money. There was no need for me to delve into the latest mesh router or gateway options. If my cables were from an earlier era, like those archaic ones from the days of Cat5, my entire network could be dragged down. Even if my Internet service provider had silently upped my broadband speed, I might not notice a difference due to these slow cables. Just the other day, I pulled out an old Cat5 cable from my Xbox—an artifact that’s been out of style for about two decades. Gross!

A week prior to my realization, my colleague Dominic Bayley published an insightful article discussing the various types of Ethernet cables. I set out on my own investigation and learned that Ethernet comes in many categories, ranging from the antiquated Category 3 to the latest Category 8.

So, is Category 8 the crème de la crème? Yes, indeed! And surprisingly, acquiring a Category 8 cable isn’t going to break the bank. I found a bargain on Amazon—a five-pack of color-coded, nylon-braided Category 8 cables for just $35.99.

As internet speeds continue to surge, cable modems are evolving too. Yet, even the fastest modems and broadband services may only offer a few gigabits per second, whereas Cat8 cables can handle an astonishing 40 Gbps!

Mark Hachman / Foundry

It was a no-brainer for me. I ordered the cables from Amazon, swiftly replaced my outdated ones with the new nylon-braided options, and promised myself I wouldn’t have to worry about Ethernet cables ever again.

Grab a five-pack of color-coded, nylon-braided Cat8 Ethernet cables for just $35.99

About a week ago, I made the decision to stop purchasing Ethernet cables once and for all.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a box or drawer stuffed with various cables. While some have particular connections—like USB-C—my wired network consists of an assortment of colored Ethernet cables, each with tiny markings indicating their capabilities. Honestly, I had no clue about their data transfer rates, which is quite concerning.

I’d never paid much attention to the specific Ethernet cables connecting my cable modem, router, Xbox, and desktop PC. Even though I had run speed tests multiple times, I often worried that my network seemed slower than it should be. I realized that the performance of my network could only be as fast as its slowest link.

If any of my Ethernet cables were outdated and transferring data at lower speeds than my router or gateway, I was essentially squandering money. There was no need to dive into research on the fastest mesh routers or the best Internet gateways if my cables were holding me back. I had stumbled upon an old Cat5 cable connected to my Xbox—an obsolete standard that’s been virtually extinct for nearly two decades. Yikes!

So Category 8 is the newest standard? Fine. Just how much do these cables cost? Surprisingly affordable! I stumbled upon a pack of five vibrant, nylon-braided Category 8 Ethernet cables for only $35.99 on Amazon.

Internet service speeds are continuously escalating, and cable modems are evolving too. However, even the fastest modems and broadband plans typically offer a few gigabits per second, while this Cat8 cable boasts an impressive maximum speed of 40 gigabits per second.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

Making the switch was a no-brainer for me. I ordered the cables from Amazon, quickly replaced my old cables with the colorful new ones, and firmly decided to never worry about my Ethernet cables again.

Grab a five-pack of colorful, nylon-braided Cat8 Ethernet cables for just $35.99

Just over a week ago, I made a firm decision: I wouldn’t buy another Ethernet cable again.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a cluttered drawer or box filled with cables. While some have very specific uses—like USB-C—my Ethernet collection is a mishmash of various colors, with tiny labels indicating their capabilities. But how fast can each cable actually transfer data? Honestly, I had no clue. And that’s concerning.

Until recently, I hadn’t given much thought to the Ethernet cables connecting my cable modem, router, Xbox, and PC. Speed tests had raised my concerns now and then, suggesting my network might be slower than it should be. I knew that my network’s performance hinges on its weakest link.

If my Ethernet cables couldn’t handle speeds equivalent to my router or modem, I was essentially throwing money away. I didn’t need to spend time searching for the fastest mesh router or the best internet gateway. Outdated cables would bottleneck my entire network. If my ISP increased my broadband speeds, I wouldn’t even benefit if my cables were relics. I even found an old Cat5 cable linked to my Xbox, a standard that’s nearly two decades old. Yikes!

A week before my colleague Dominic Bayley shared an insightful breakdown of Ethernet cable categories, I began digging into this issue myself. Ethernet cables vary from the antique Category 3 to the cutting-edge Category 8.

So, is Category 8 truly the best? Absolutely! And the cost? Surprisingly low. I discovered a five-pack of color-coded, nylon-braided Category 8 cables available on Amazon for just $26.99.

As broadband speeds continue to climb, it’s essential to keep up with the technology. Even the fastest cable modems and internet plans typically cap a few gigabits per second, while a Category 8 cable can deliver an impressive 40 Gbps.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

For me, it was an easy decision. I swiftly ordered my new cables from Amazon, replaced my outdated ones with the vibrant alternatives, and vowed never to stress about Ethernet cables again.

Grab a five-pack of color-coded, nylon-braided Cat8 Ethernet cables for just $26.99

Your router’s USB port often goes unnoticed, yet it can provide several handy features that enhance your daily life. From file storage and sharing to mobile charging and automated data backups, there’s a lot more you can do with it than you might think. Below, we’ll delve into how these functions work and explore additional capabilities of your router’s USB port.

How can the USB Port on Your Router be Used?

The functionality of the USB port on your router varies depending on the model you possess. Here are some of the most beneficial uses:

• Printer Sharing: Attach a USB printer to your router, allowing it to function as a network printer accessible to all devices connected to the network. This eliminates the hassle of switching cables or installing multiple drivers.
• Network-Attached Storage (NAS): Connect a USB stick or external hard drive to your router for centralized file storage. This enables various devices in your home network to access documents, photos, or videos, and in some cases, allows for direct streaming of films and music as well.
• Backups: Many routers facilitate automatic backups. You can set it up to back up files from the network to a connected USB storage device, either on a scheduled basis or in real-time as new files are created. Detailed instructions for this can be found later in this article.
• Powering IoT Devices: Certain USB ports can power small devices like IoT hubs or smart LED lights. This is especially convenient when there are no available power outlets nearby.
• Mobile Internet Connectivity: If your router is compatible with LTE dongles, you can use it to switch to a cellular data connection during internet outages. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who require a stable connection and want an alternative when their broadband fails.
• Charging Devices: Some router models permit charging smartphones, tablets, and other gadgetry through the USB port.

What Devices Can You Connect?

The types of devices that can be connected depend on the specific router model. Consult your user manual to determine the compatible devices and connection types for your router.

Steps to Utilize the USB Port for Automatic Backups:

1. Attach a USB flash drive or an external hard disk to the router. The storage device typically gets recognized instantly.
2. Access the router’s user interface and look for settings labeled “Backup” or “Storage.”
3. Select “New Backup Job” or a similar function, and follow the on-screen instructions provided by the wizard.
4. Choose between scheduling a backup or opting for a real-time backup that automatically saves changes as they occur.
5. After setting up, conduct the initial backup manually to verify everything is configured correctly.