Ethernet & Cabling Basics

When Wi-Fi is unstable, Ethernet often feels like the “boring but perfect” solution — and for many tasks, it is. This subcategory covers the fundamentals of wired networking: cables, ports, switches, and practical troubleshooting. It’s designed to help you get reliable, low-latency connections for workstations, TVs, consoles, and access points, and to understand why a wired setup sometimes performs worse than expected. You’ll learn the basics of Ethernet categories (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a) and what they realistically mean for home use. Many problems come from incorrect assumptions: a cable labeled “Cat6” might still be low quality, damaged, or poorly terminated; a router port might only support 100 Mbps; a switch might be unmanaged but fine — or it might be the bottleneck. The guides explain how to identify link speed (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps) and how to confirm what your devices negotiated, using built-in OS tools and router indicators. Cabling troubleshooting is a major part of this section. You’ll learn how to spot the common failure modes: loose connectors, bent pins, long runs, cheap couplers, wall plates wired incorrectly, and cables routed near interference sources. There’s also guidance on safe cable routing, labeling, and when to replace versus test. The guides show how to isolate whether the problem is the cable, the port, the device, or the switch — without needing special equipment. This subcategory also helps with basic wired network design: when to use a switch, how to choose a simple topology, and why adding “just one more router” often creates conflicts. You’ll learn the difference between a router, a switch, and an access point, and how to use them together cleanly. This matters a lot if you’re building a mesh with wired backhaul or adding an access point for better Wi-Fi coverage — wired infrastructure is often what makes a network feel truly stable. For people working from home, wired guidance includes practical recommendations: use Ethernet for the device that matters most (work laptop dock, PC, conferencing station), keep Wi-Fi for mobility, and use wired backhaul for mesh nodes or access points when possible. The result is fewer dropouts, lower ping, and consistent performance even when the network is busy. If you want your network to feel predictable and professional, Ethernet is still the most reliable foundation. This subcategory teaches you enough cabling and wired basics to build that foundation confidently.