Cat 6 Backwards Compatible. From the introduction above, the major components between cat6 cable and cat5 cable are similar. I second that cat6 is compatible with cat5.
>do check with cable company and google the model no# for compatibility with cat6. However, cat 6 cable is backward compatible with previous specifications, and it can be deployed in networks using older hardware without problems. The telecommunications industry association (tia).
I second that cat6 is compatible with cat5.
Cat, which stands for category, defines a cable's specifications. Belkin is unshielded, 24 awg and actual cable lengths match their description (ie. Cat 6 supports 10 gigabit ethernet only up to 164 feet of cable length. From the introduction above, the major components between cat6 cable and cat5 cable are similar.