Cat5e Headroom dB

[Scott Hanson]

Hello,

we are having some issues with dropped packets on the network and the cabling company just ran a report stating that 75% of our drops have a dB of 10% headroom or less which they say could explain the packet loss.  Can someone tell me what the minimum headroom dB should be on a Cat5e drop?

Thanks in advance.  Replies rated.                  

[paolo bevilacqua]

Before you start blaming the cabling and obscure, non-standard measurements, can you post some show commands and how you deducted that you have dropped packets.

[Scott Hanson]

Hello Paolo,

the switch config has been verified by TAC.  The phone system is an Altigen and is in the process of being replaced with Cisco but that is over a year out.  You can look on the phones and give you a readout of packet loss, jitter etc.

I wasn't blaming the cabling.  Just looking for verification on what the headroom dB should be as according to the company testing the cabling.