Whats the difference between a lan cable and an ethernet cable?

Question

Im trying to connect my wii to the internet using my DSL modem but my DSL uses a ethernet cable so using a USB wont work. However, i was tol that in that case, i have to use the LAN cable adaptor. Since the ethernet cable is the only cable that my connection uses, would that be the lan? are they the same thing?!

Answer 1

Ethernet and LAN cable are the same.

Both use Category 5e or Cat6 wiring.

So the following terms are the same.

Twisted pair

Cat5

Cat5e

Cat6

Cat6 plenum

Ethernet

LAN

Network

The only thing to watch out for is "cross over cable" those are not the same as regular network cables.

Answer 2

LAN cable technically refers to any cable that can only be run a short distance including most kinds of Coax and stuff terminated with a BNC or Ethernet Cables.  It's very uncommon to see anything except for:

CAT5e and CAT6 cable terminated into RJ45 Connectors.

CAT6 is recommended for cabling new buildings, but no benefit really exists right now for it over Cat5e, and the only difference is a plastic thing in the middle that keeps the cable pairs separate.  

Cat6 and "Plenum" are probably unnecessary for home users.  Plenum means when it catches fire in the walls it doesn't release deadly fumes basically, so plenum cabling should be used in walls, but isn't usually used as patch cable (from the wall to the computer).