Category 5:

Twisted-pair cable with electrical characteristics suitable for all twisted-pair Ethernet media systems, including 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX. Category 5 and Category 5e cable are preferred cable types for structural cabling systems.

Category 5e:

An enhanced version of Category 5 cable, developed to improve certain cable characteristics important to Gigabit Ethernet operation. It is recommended that all new structured cabling systems be based on Category 5e cable; however, this cable may not be the best for use in industrial installations because of noise susceptibility.

Fiber Optic Cable

A cable with a glass or plastic filament which transmits digital signals in the form of light pulses at wavelengths of 805 nm (10BASE-FL) or 1300 nm (100BASE-FX).

Ethernet

A popular LAN technology first standardized by DEC, Intel, and Xerox (or DIX) and subsequently standardized by the IEEE through the 802.3 committee.

Gigabit Ethernet

A version of Ethernet that operates a 1000 Mbps.

IEEE

Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineers. A professional organization and standards body.