LAN cable types (Cat 5, Cat 5e, etc.)

Help!

I've got a cable going from our fritz box to our laptop when we're not using the wireless gizmo. The connector bit that goes into the laptop has gone kaputski and I need a new cable coz it keeps coming out. I had a look on ebay and there's hundreds to choose from. Wouldn't be a problem normally but they are quoting Cat 5, Cat 5e and Cat 6. What's that all about and what should I go for?

Any help in this cable wilderness would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Boba

Makes no difference. Any cheap shit Cat5 will be fine. I got boxes of 'em round here. Cat5 is 10Mb so plenty quick enough.

That said - rather surprised the cable is buggered?

That comes from Cat 2, they've both been chewing on it and the clip that keeps it in has broken off.

Thanks for your help.

CAT5 is suitable for 100mHz performance and can accommodate 100Mb/s over short distances.
Ah, I remember Cat 2 - days of token ring but only 4Mb/s. No longer recognised, unfortunately.

Cat 2? Luxury! We used to dream o' Cat 2. There were 16 of us livin' in t' FritzBox...
A true Yorkshireman!
We din't have any Cat. All we 'ad were mice. Freezin cold mice an all!