ICND1 break down -- Cable Category (cat 1, cat2, cat3, cat4, cat5, cat6)

Cat 1: Previously used for POTS telephone communications, ISDN and doorbell wiring.

Cat 2: Previously was frequently used on 4 Mbit/s token ring networks.

TIA-568 only recognized cables of Category 3 ratings or above.(wikipedia)

Cat 3 UTP (TechFAQ)

Category 3 UTP is rated to carry data up to 10Mbit/s.

Cat 3 UTP was the standard cable for use with Ethernet 10Base-T.

Cat 4 UTP:

Category 5 UTP no longer common or used in new installations, was frequently used on 16 Mbit/s token ring networks.

Cat 5 UTP

Category 5 UTP is rated to carry Ethernet up to 100Mbit/s and ATM up to 155Mbit/s.

Cat 5 UTP was the standard cable for use with Ethernet 100Base-TX.

Cat 5e UTP

Category 5e UTP is an enhanced version of Cat 5 UTP.

Cat 5e UTP is rated to carry data up to 1000Mbit/s.

Cat 5e UTP is the standard cable for use with Ethernet 1000Base-T.

Cat 5e can also be used to extend the distance of 100Base-TX cable runs up to 350 meters.

Cat 6 UTP

Category 6 UTP is very similar to Cat 5 UTP, except that it is designed and manufactured to even stricter standards.

Category 6 has a minumum of 250 MHz of bandwidth. Allowing 10/100/1000 use with up to 100 meter cable length, along with 10GbE over shorter distances. (Ethernet Cable Identification and Use)

Here is a video help you to remember the Cable Category


ICND1 and ICND2 break down