How to Choose the Right Ethernet Cable Category for Your Needs?

■ What considerations should you have in selecting an Ethernet cable category that best fits your needs? A guide to selecting the proper cable category.

These days, Ethernet cables, as they are used in different parts of the network, form the backbone of both home and enterprise networks. If you are upgrading your existing system or creating a new one from scratch, selecting the right Ethernet cable category to use guarantees optimal infrastructure performance, room for expansion in the future, and a good return on investment to your company.

From Cat5 to Cat6, Cat6a to Cat7 and Cat8, this documentation describes each cable category's varied functions, including bandwidth, speed, shielding, and installation criteria. Here is a guide that sets the categories apart and enables you to make a knowledgeable buying choice.

■ What Are Ethernet Categories for Cables, and What Differentiates Them? 

Ethernet category cables set out technical specification requirements:

• Speed capacity (1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, etc.)

• Bandwidth (e.g., 100 MHz to 2000 MHz)

• Distance limitations

• Shielding type

• Connector compatibility

Each generation leads the pack with advancements in performance. Here is the summary of the three generations.

Cat5 – Basic Standard for Legacy Network

Speed: Maximum 100 Mbps at 100m

• Bandwidth: 100 MHz

• Maximum Length: 100 meters

• Status: Obsolete

• Usage: Fax machines, VoIP telephones, legacy LANs, etc.

• Limitation: This service is not able to block Gigabit data.

Cat5e – Additional Features for the Gigabit Ethernet

• Speed: 1 Gbps

• Bandwidth: 100 MHz

• Use: Smart TVs, IP camera systems, home setups

• Flexibility: Thin and movable

• Shielding: UTP/STP

• Connector: RJ45

• HP is one of the companies marketing it as a high-speed cable for hubs (localized networks) and as an Internet Cable.

Cat6 – Entry to High-Speed LAN

• Speed: Up to 10 Gbps (within 55m), Down to 1 Gbps (up to 100m)

• Bandwidth: Support 250 MHz

• Use: Network of Office Buildings, streaming HD videos, file servers

• Shielding: Offered in UTP and STP to get UTP

• Best For: Outfitting base infrastructure when regular repair is needed.

• The usual term for category 6 cable is “cat 6 cable” or other variations like “cable catégorie 6” or “cable categoría 6” depending on the region.

Industry convenes Cat6a for speed improvement and reduction of attenuation

• Speed: 10 Gbps over a span of 100 meters

• Bandwidth: 500 MHz

• Use: data centers, hospital, smart buildings

• In terms of bulkiness, it’s a little more so as a result of its shielding.

• Shielding: STP/UPT

• Ideal For: Coterminous 10G links with EMI (Electromagnetic interference) resistance

Cat7 – The Shielded for EMI Sensitive Environments

• Speed: 10 Gbps at 100 meters, sometimes 40 Gbps at 50-meter intervals

• Bandwidth: 600 MHz

• Shielding: The cabling consists of individual shielded (S/FTP) pairs with outer wrap shielding

• Use: The industrial environment, backbone wiring

• Connector: However, GG45 or TERA, not necessarily RJ45 compatible

• Great for its excellent shielding and low cost.

• This is to be known as cat7e, so it’s simply a non-standard marketing term.

Cat8 – The Ultimate Cable with Data Centers in Mind

• Speed: 25 Gbps (Cat8.1 or Cat8.2) / 40 Gbps via Cat8.2

• Bandwidth: 2000 MHz

• Max Length: 30 meters

• Shielding: It might be F/FTP or S/FTP

• Use: Connect switch-to-server connections, and top-of-rack cabling

• Connector: RJ45 (Cat8.1)

• Limitation: Very limited distance, very high price

■ Ethernet Cable Comparison Chart

■ How to Pick the Right Ethernet Cable Here are four key factors:

Speed Requirements

• Web browsing, streaming, and file sharing require Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6a

• 4K quality video on the internet and online games utilize Cat6a

• High-performance servers would require Cat7 or Cat8

Cable Length

• Cat6 supports 10 Gbps up to 55m

• That stays at 10 Gbps for full 100m

• Cat8 is only allowed for 30m, swap patch runs in data centers

Shielding Needs

• High-EMI environments including RFI: Go with the STP and the S/FTP type cables.

• Normal environments: UTP suffice (e.g., Cat5e, Cat6)

Budget vs. Performance

• Best value option: Cat5e

• Best choice: Cat6 or Cat6a

• High-end enterprise: Cat8 (expensive, but powerful)

■ Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Different Ethernet Categories 

Q1: Can I use Cat6 or Cat6a cables in conjunction with Cat5e router?

Yes. These cables are backward compatible with each other. However, with only a router, you will be limited to the speed your router supports.

Q2: Is Cat7 better than Cat6a?

Not at all. Cat7 has higher shielding, but the used connectors may be proprietary and less cost-effective than those of Cat6a.

Q3: In which instance would you recommend me using Cat8?

You need high situational awareness due to the nature of the cable runs you rely on. The cable runs you have for the access switches make up the backbone of your data center.

You have short cable runs (30m)

You wire the top-of-the-rack equipment in the data center

Q4: Can it be used for online gaming or HD video streaming on Cat6?

Definitely! To further improve distance coverage, Cat6a can be used.

Q5: Is it possible to connect wires for Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a in one network?

Yes, but they will default to the slowest link. For consistency, all cables in the chain should be the same category.

Q6: Does the cable size have a bearing on the speed?

Yes, there is reduced velocity over extension of each cable’s certified length. For instance, Cat6 can transmit with 10 Gbps only up to 55m straight.

■ Final Thoughts

Adhering to appropriate Ethernet category belongs to much more than speed – it’s about injection of appropriate mixture between performance, environment, compatibility, and budget.

Best for home users: Cat6

If a data center plans to increase the size of the cables over time or if a new technology called CAT 6A will be available, it is recommended that the cables be CAT 6A.

michael@zion-communication.com

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