This episode examines twisted pair cabling standards, including Category 5, 5e, 6, 6a, and higher classifications. Each standard is defined by its maximum transmission speed, frequency, and distance limitations. Understanding these specifications is essential for both the exam and real-world deployments, as they determine whether a cable can support technologies like Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, or 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

You will also learn how to select the appropriate category for a given environment, such as using Cat 5e for small office installations or Cat 6a for data centers requiring higher performance. The episode highlights troubleshooting scenarios like diagnosing slow connections caused by mismatched cabling or recognizing when an environment requires shielded cable to reduce interference. By mastering cable standards, you will be equipped to answer exam questions and make informed design and troubleshooting decisions. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your certification path.