Hi, I have a few questions. I am planning on wiring my home, I wanted to know if it is compatible to use cat5e cables and jacks (in wall) connected to a 10/100mbs hub. I know that cat5e is rated 350mhz (gigabit) but should there be a problem if I use 100mbs hubs and nics? Last question, how long is the lifespan of the cat5e cables? I don't want them to go bad, for I will not be able to replace them once they're in the walls. Thanks for your help.

No problem on the compatability. Just a better grade of wire. If your worried about the cable going bad or being outdated, install conduit to basement or attic (stick it out 3 inches and fill the end with sealer). Place side by side, opposite rooms. It is a good idea to put an extra wall box in every room for power, radio, security cam, satelite, phone, isdn, or dsl. $3 and 10 minutes per room now will eliminate lots of headache later. If the wire is bad, fix it later. If your careful and don't tug or kink it, you'll only have to worry about the ends. If you use conduit, you could use premade cables with those keystone female to female type jacks. Consider 2 extra large conduits from basement to attic for data and or power. I helped out on one of those home wiring jobs for a network guy and he had everything (8 cables I think) in the bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and basement. As for the life, the ends should corrode first depending on humidity. Don't forget the garage. An mp3 player, phone, or radio would be nice to listen to while you play. You could go wireless but don't expect to get anything more than 1% of the current setup.

When you say grade, what do you mean? As in shielded, plenum, etc. What's the difference between the names?? Sorry, I am not well informed. Thanks for replying!

Able to handle a higher frequency. I would say it's probably the capacitance of the coating on the wire and tighter wind of the pair.