What is the maximum length of a standard Ethernet cable?

The maximum length of a standard Ethernet cable is indeed 100 meters. This limit is applicable to various types of twisted-pair Ethernet cables, such as Category 5e and Category 6, which are widely used in networking environments. The 100-meter limitation includes the total length of the horizontal cabling, which stretches from the Ethernet switch or router to any connected device.

This specification is crucial because exceeding this length can lead to decreased performance, including increased latency and potential signal loss, which affects overall network reliability. Therefore, understanding and adhering to the maximum cable length is essential for maintaining an efficient and robust network infrastructure.