The Ethernet range of a router is determined by its wireless capabilities and signal transmission distance.
The Ethernet range of a router is determined by its wireless capabilities and signal transmission distance.
The 100-meter rule comes from TIA-568-B, covering 90 meters for the cable to the wall outlet and 5 meters for patch cables. These numbers are just guidelines, and most installations exceed them. What really counts are the actual specs—signal loss and interference. If those meet requirements, it should work (unless you're using an SFP transceiver).
quick test? plug both in using the 60M cable, in the same room and test then. I've been working with Ethernet for more than 25 years, and NEVER have I heard of a 15M limit on any network switch. An ethernet port outputs super low power, so, I don't think there'd be any advantage to making it weaker than normal....
So this reduced performance is just speculation on your friends part? Don't worry about it, your cable looks fine, your routers will be fine, as long as you crimp well, you should be fine.
The guidelines also suggest installing two Cat 6A connections at each access point, providing a total of 20 Gbps for upcoming wireless technologies.
Sure! Just make sure you double-check your cable connections. That advice sounds helpful!
The 100m standard refers to cabling guidelines, not Ethernet requirements. It serves as a reference for manufacturers using standard electrical measurements. Voltage drop and interference are the primary challenges in long runs. A direct, solid-core cable without excessive bends around fixtures can handle distances beyond 100 meters. This spec is more about reliability than speed, so even inexpensive cables can perform well with typical Ethernet devices and PoE systems. Quality of termination is also crucial. I tend to avoid patch panels for budget or small projects.
Very true, there is always leeway which is why USB and HDMI cables are available in lengths technically longer than the spec dictates. Some are junk and don't work, some do. But with something as important as networking, in such extreme lengths, its best not to push your luck as replacing the cable would be a nightmare if it doesn't work, especially as the termination could degrade over time.
It's quite strange to have this confirmed. Thank you all so much! The information has been really helpful. I've successfully set up the network and everything is running smoothly—no delays, no data loss, just consistent performance like the gateway. Interestingly, someone from TP-Link Brazil reached out late with a response that echoed my friend's theory. This contradicts everything I've seen online and even what I experienced locally. Their support team mentioned their routers aren't built for distances beyond 15 meters and suggested using business-grade equipment. They claimed these devices don't meet the voltage requirements, which makes me question if this rumor originated from them trying to promote more costly products. I was curious about the voltage they were discussing. I recalled reading that 802.3 cable Ethernet standards specify these ports should function reliably up to 100 meters with high-quality Cat6 cables. I'm eager to see their official explanation.