Category 5e and Category 6 network cable comes in a solid conductor format, and in stranded conductor formats.  People often ask which is appropriate for their application.  We'll detail the difference between two types of cable, and help you decide which application is suits which cable.

Solid conductor uses 1 solid wire per conductor, so in a standard Cat 5e / Cat 6 4 pair (8 conductor) roll, there would be a total of 8 solid wires. Stranded conductor uses multiple wires wrapped around each other in each conductor, so in a 4 pair (8 conductor) 7 strand roll (typical configucation), there would be a total of 56 wires.

Solid conductor cable is most useful for structured wiring within a building.  It is easily punched down onto wall jacks and patch panels since it is a single conductor.  The wire seats properly into insulation displacement connector.  Solid is less useful when you are terminating with standard RJ45 connectors, as used when making patch cables.   Most RJ45 connectors use 2 prongs which penetrate the conductor itself.  This is not desirable, since solid cable has the tendency to break when penetrated by the prong. Using a 3 prong style RJ45 connectors creates a much better connection as it doesn't break the conductor - the 3 prongs style connection wraps around the conductor instead of penetrating it.   All being said, it is recommended that stranded network cable be used for patch cables - they make better quality RJ45 termination connections than even using 3 prong connectors.

Stranded cable is much less useful for punching down on wall jacks because the strands do not keep their perfect round shape when thrust into a insulation displacement connector. For best results, use solid for wall jacks and stranded for crimp connectors.  Stranded cable is typicalled used to create patch cables.  The cable itself is more flexible, and rolls up well.  The RJ45 terminators have a better, and more flexible and complete connection to stranded wires than solid wire.