Prepare your system for optimal performance by following these steps.
Prepare your system for optimal performance by following these steps.
You can route the cable around the stairs without it sticking out by using either a side-wall Ethernet port or the in-wall port. The ethernet cables in the walls are likely CAT 5, so that’s compatible. Powerline Ethernet could also work if your setup supports it.
Assume the wall wiring is okay and you're happy with Gigabit or the newer 2.5/5Gbit connections—use the existing cable. For 10Gbit, you'll need a new wire using a higher category cable, fiber, or DAC. Powerline isn't reliable enough; most people just complain and try to fix their issues.
CAT5 is sufficient for home users; opt for it. Powerline Ethernet tends to be slower compared to Wi-Fi, making it a better fallback choice when strong wireless connections aren't available.