Exactly. As opposed to the old days, when you had thick coax 3MB Ethernet, thick coax 10MB Ethernet, thin coax 10MB Ethernet, 10/100 Base T (modern Ethernet), 100MB FDDI, 4 and 16MB token ring, and Arcnet (which I think was also 4MB). And coax ethernet had a variety of different connectors include AUI with slide lock(the worst connector design EVER), bayonet, and vampire taps.

However, if the original poster is in any doubt, a short new Ethernet cable (3-6 feet) should only cost a buck or two at a computer supply store, so you could just buy a new one and toss the old. I just threw away a dozen yesterday because I was cleaning out my garage and couldn't remember which ones were "good" and which were "broken", and it wasn't worth the time to try them. Cheaper to just make some new ones.

Bob