Gigabit LAN speed limited to 100 Mbps
Gigabit LAN speed limited to 100 Mbps
I usually don’t do this, so I’m not sure if I did it right. I just connected a cable from the computer’s Ethernet port to my laptop’s Ethernet port and checked it the same way I’ve been doing it—through Control Panel, All Control Panel Items, Network Connections, and checking the status. When set up that way, it shows 1.0 Gbps on both devices.
You were trying to clarify the situation. The Ethernet cable itself appears to be in good condition, and only these two computers are affected. Other devices should connect at 1Gbit speed. The issue seems related to auto-negotiation between the computer and router. Updating your NIC driver or adjusting the network adapter settings to full-duplex might help resolve the problem.
It appears disconnecting the router, switching the computer to the laptop, and then back to the router resolved the speed issue for one machine but caused complete disconnections now. The other machine still faces speed problems. I’ve heard cables can fail and drop speeds to just 100mbps, though I thought that was uncommon. I’m trying to find a replacement cable but don’t think I have one long enough.
If adjusting the cable had any impact, it's worth investigating further, though having both cables fail simultaneously at the same time seems improbable.
Thanks for your patience. You're looking for guidance on choosing a spool, crimper, or cable tester. Since this is your first time buying these items, consider a versatile all-purpose tester with good durability and clear instructions. Look for one that offers both crimping and testing features in one package to save space and effort.
For simple testing you can use a ready-made cable from the store, but if you're building your own there are affordable sets with crimpers, strippers, and testers. The main cable you need is Cat5e. If you need protection against interference or want to be prepared for the future, Cat6 or Cat6A works well, though UTP Cat5e suffices for most tasks. Make sure you choose stranded core over solid core—walls require different types. Also decide between riser and plenum cable; riser is cheaper and simpler, while plenum is better for indoor use inside walls due to fire safety and smoke reduction. In certain areas it may be required by law.
Thanks for your feedback. I followed the advice to use pre-made cables and chose the Amazon Basics Cat7, which seems to have resolved the issue. The older cables appeared worn, possibly Cat5, and switching them out helped. Currently, I'm using 1GB speeds on my LAN without any problems, so the solution worked perfectly.
Technically, Cat5e only supports 100Mbit speeds, yet it's often used as the benchmark for 1Gbit connections because it functions adequately. For true 1Gbit links, Cat6 or higher is recommended. Cat7 can handle 10Gbit and provides superior resistance to interference (both external and within twisted pairs), though it may be more than necessary for your needs. This observation is worth mentioning. It's curious that a cable that might be damaged could still support 1Gbit on some devices, but performance would likely vary. In either case, replacing worn cables would have been a wise choice.