Running 10GBASE-T Over Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cat7 Cabling?

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venynx2

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The demands for high bandwidth keep increasing as the video and multimedia gain a large popularity among end users. The data rate of
1Gbps is gradually growing to 10Gbps. The Cat5e cables used to support
1Gbps network are no longer enough for 10Gbps, which calls for new
specifications of twisted pair copper cabling. Ethernet cable with
higher bandwidth such as Cat6 cable, Cat6a cable and Cat7 cables are
introduced for high-speed applications of 10GBASE-T. Here comes some
questions—What’s the difference between Cat6, Cat6a and Cat7? Cat6 vs
Cat6a vs Cat7, which is better for 10GBASE-T network? This article can
answer your questions.

Cat6 (Class E), Cat6a (Class EA) and Cat7 (Class F) are improved twisted pair specifications that can support 10GBASE-T applications.
Each cable is backward compatible, meaning you can plug a newer twisted
pair cable into a device that is created for a slower cable. Cat6 can be
used for 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1000Mbps and 10Gbps. But Cat6 can support
10GBASE-T for only up to 55 meters (depending on crosstalk) and
frequencies of up to 250 MHz. Cat6a (Cat6 augmented) is designed to
support frequencies of up to 500 MHz, which is twice that of Cat6. And
Cat6a can support up to 100 meters when transmitting 10Gbps. Cat6a cable
can be divided into shielded and unshielded type respectively referred
as F/UTP (shielded) and U/UTP (unshielded) cable. Cat6a F/UTP is easier
to handle than Cat6a U/UTP. Cat7 cabling can also support 10GBASE-T but
is rated for transmitting frequencies of up to 600 MHz.Cat6 vs Cat6a:
obviously 10GbE Cat6a cable has better network performance than 10GbE
Cat6 cable. Cat6a 10GBASE-T cable using RJ45 connectors can deliver 10G
performance of higher frequencies (500 MHz) and with longer link lengths
(100 m) than that of Cat6 cable (250 MHz, 55 m). Compared with Cat6,
Ca6a has more robust sheathing, which reduces alien crosstalk and
improves signal-to-noise ratio.


While Cat6 10GBASE-T cable can support 10GBASE-T over distance between 37 and 55 meters depending on the alien crosstalk environment,
there is no 10GBASE-T application support assurance over short runs of
Cat6, because alien crosstalk is highly dependent on cable density. And
the cable quality from different manufacturers can’t be guaranteed. Only
when you test it will you know if the Cat6 cable meets the
specification. Besides, adopting Cat6 cable in 10Gbps can’t make use of
power-saving short reach mode. Short reach mode can reduce power
consumption by 1W per port when using Cat6 of 30 meters or less. So
10GBASE-T cable Cat6 is not cost-effective and environment friendly for
10GBASE-T application. What’s more, Cat6 cable can’t dissipate heat as
well as Cat6a 10GBASE-T cable since Cat6 10GBASE-T cable has smaller
diameter conductor. Data center temperatures are increasing. At the same
time, cable insertion loss also increases. This is not good for network
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Posted 24 Apr 2018

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