Different Cat5e types?

[loveamd]

The subject says it all.

I am going to buy some cat5e and think I saw a difference in a couple types.

The one I am looking to buy is "Solid Wire"

Is there a difference when buying this for making a home LAN?

Is the PVC jacket color an issue at all?

Also, What is the purpose of that fiber strand in the cat5e?

 

[jjw]

Stranded Cat5 is for making patch cables. It is more flexable, but has a shorter life.

 

[xiii]

I would stay away from stranded UTP wire. The jacket color doesn't mean anything unless you're going to have some sort of color-coding of your own.