IS DistributionsEnquireStructured cabling guide: Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A and fibre
Structured cabling is the fixed wiring that carries a building's network: copper cable from patch panels to outlets, fibre between floors and buildings, and the connectors and racks that organise them. This guide compares the copper categories and fibre types and points to the brands listed on this site.
What this guide covers
- Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 6A: speed, distance and when each is chosen
- UTP versus shielded cable
- Single-mode and multi-mode fibre, connectors and transceivers
- Patch panels, keystone jacks, faceplates and patch cords
- Racks, cable management and labelling
- Testing and certification after installation
Typical applications
- New office and school buildings
- CCTV and access-control cabling in factories
- Linking buildings on a campus
- Upgrading an old network to gigabit or 10 gigabit
What you will find
- Side-by-side comparison of copper categories
- Rules of thumb for fibre between buildings and floors
- How PoE affects cable choice and bundle size
- Which brands on this site supply cable, panels, modules and tools
Functions vary by model and firmware; see each model page and the official datasheet.
Selection questions
- What speed must the network support over its life: 1, 2.5 or 10 gigabit?
- How long are the longest copper runs, and do any exceed 90 metres?
- Is there electrical noise near the cable route?
- Which fibre type already exists on site?
Prepare an enquiry
ISD in Kuching, Sarawak handles structured cabling enquiries for projects in Sarawak and Malaysia. Send the full model code and quantity, or describe the site. Supply only; ISD confirms the model separately.
Describe your requirementFrequently asked questions
Cat 6 or Cat 6A for a new building?
Cat 6 supports gigabit over full runs and 10 gigabit only over short runs; Cat 6A supports 10 gigabit over full 90-metre runs. Many new projects choose Cat 6A for the backbone to desks that may need it later.
When should fibre be used instead of copper?
For runs beyond the copper limit, between buildings, where lightning or electrical noise is a concern, or for high-speed links between switches.
Which cabling brands does ISD list?
Dintek cable, jacks and panels; Unitek patch cords and adapters; TP-Link, D-Link and Huawei fibre modules and media converters; Hikvision PDS cabling products.
Structured cabling guide - models on this site
- 1101-03034Dintek
- 1101-03042Dintek
- 1101-04044Dintek
- 1101-04045Dintek
- 1101-04046Dintek
- 1101-04049Dintek
- 1101-04056Dintek
- 1101-04057Dintek
- 1101-04059Dintek
- 1101-04060Dintek
- 1101-04061Dintek
- 1101-04304Dintek
- 1101-04305Dintek
- 1101-04312Dintek
- 1103-04011Dintek
- 1103-06011Dintek
- 1105-05007Dintek
- 1105-06028Dintek
- 1107-04009Dintek
- 1107-04011Dintek
- 1303-12010Dintek
- 1303-12011Dintek
- 1303-12025Dintek
- 1303-12032Dintek
- 1303-12040Dintek
- 1303-12041Dintek
- 1305-03023Dintek
- 1305-03030Dintek
- 1305-03047Dintek
- 1305-03048Dintek
- 1305-04017Dintek
- 1305-04042Dintek
- 1305-04043Dintek
- 1305-04048Dintek
- 1305-05010Dintek
- 1402-03019Dintek
- 1402-04011Dintek
- 1402-04012Dintek
- 1406-00012Dintek
- 1406-00041Dintek
113 more related models are listed in the product catalogue.
Related guides and categories
- Dintek structured cablingGuide
- Hikvision Premises Distribution System (cabling, UPS and monitors)Hikvision guide
- TP-Link SFP modules, media converters and fibre accessoriesGuide
- D-Link SFP transceivers, DAC cables and media convertersGuide
- Huawei SFP, SFP+ and QSFP optical modulesGuide
- How to choose a PoE switch for IP cameras and access pointsGuide
- Cabling & cable managementCategory
- Fibre opticCategory
- Network accessoriesCategory
- All series & technology guidesGuide
Reference
Written by ISD from manufacturers' public product information; confirm specifications on each model page and the official datasheet. Checked 2026-11-01.