Im Setting up a new network

A CAT5 cable is basically the standard for 100Mbit Networks, they can have a max length of 100 meters (without signal degradation) and run at 100MHz. Personally I'd get a Cat5e cable as it will support Gigabit networks, the cables are mainly the same, besides other minor differences a Cat5e cable has a specification for Delay Skew/100m (45ns) and Cat5 does not. There is also Cat6 which is more and more emerging, they run at 250MHz. One other, probably not for you is Cat7 which is ScTP as opposed to UDP. So basically if you go with Cat5e and get a Gigabit Swicht, they are not that expensive anymore you will have some good speads. Don't by crossover cables though; usually yellow in color they are used for special scenarios like router server connection (not your home router) or direct pc connections.

Hope this helps.

 

Edit: forgot to mention. The difference between Network Cables and Patch Cables:
A short lead with connectors on either end which is flexible and is used to plug one piece of equipment directly into another is generally referred to as a patch cable. To make them flexible, patch leads are generally made with stranded wire.
Cables with solid core wires are more often used in permanent wiring and terminate on wall sockets and may be sometimes referred to as network cables . These cables aren't so flexible (and will break is repeatedly flexed).

Edited by michael

you need a router to share a broadband connection between several computers (unless you connect it to one of the computers though, but then that computer has to be on when the others want to use the connection)

If you have laptops/notebooks, you may want to buy a WLAN router with integrated switch

You can use the CAT5 cable, but as michael says, the CAT5e cable supports gigabit network, so it may be a wise choice to select 5e, incase you decide to switch to gb network later, then you don't need new cables.

the switch is standalone yes.

You may want to check out the networking FAQ'a at www.broadbandreports.com - good info in the glossary regarding differences between switches and routers.

A typical home configuration goes from the broadband modem to a router. Hanging off the router can be computers, switches, or other routers. Routers and switches are independently powered. They don't depend upon any one computer being up.

Think of a router as having intelligence to direct traffic, resovle Network addresses (NAT), and monitor who's up/down. A switch is more of a passive device that has limited intelligence - you can think of it as a box that allows you to add ports to your router.

If you get a router that has more ports than you can immediately use, put a piece of tape over the unused ports - they collect dust pretty quick and when you finally do use them, you may find that either the port doesn't work, or traffic through that port is slower due to re-transmissions. - Same applies to switches.

Most HomeNetWork routers have harware-level firewalls. Sometimes these are called "Gateways" - I use a gateway router that has ports for ethernet, HPNA (uses internal phone wireing), Wireless, and USB-eternet.
Off of the ethernet port, I have a another router and also a switch. Computers hang off of each.
Off the WAP (Wireless Access Point) port, I have a WAP router. that is a separate sub network.
The USB-Ethernet port is used occasionally by people with laprtops.
I used to use the HPNA port to access a computer in a room where running cable would have need hard.

So, depending upon your needs, you can configure a network pretty much anyway you want.