Ethernet Cable Types/specifications and IEEE compliance

johnlgalt · Jan 11, 2023

pparks1 said:
The only real difference here is that 6a is rated to carry 10GB/s a full 100 meters (328 feet), where the 6 is rated to carry it about 165 feet, right? In a residential setting, I wouldn't forsee too many exceeding runs of 160+ feet.

Agreed. The biggest concern here would be if you have a multi-story home like I do, and there is not a direct drop, and even then it's still really hard to get to 165 feet lol.

TVeblen · Jan 11, 2023

True that.
But still, I bought obsolete stuff. Not happy.
It's not just theoretical speed. CAT6 has a bandwidth of 250MHz while 6a has 500MHz. That is a significant difference.

pparks1 · Jan 11, 2023

TVeblen said:
True that.
But still, I bought obsolete stuff. Not happy.
It's not just theoretical speed. CAT6 has a bandwidth of 250MHz while 6a has 500MHz. That is a significant difference.

That speed only impacts the distance it can travel, not the speed on the wire.

johnlgalt · Jan 12, 2023

TVeblen said:
True that.
But still, I bought obsolete stuff. Not happy.
It's not just theoretical speed. CAT6 has a bandwidth of 250MHz while 6a has 500MHz. That is a significant difference.

Uh, that difference is what allows for the longer certified runs at 10 Gbit - see The Difference Between Cat6 vs Cat6A Ethernet Cable

From there:

2. Cat6A speed is at least 500 MHz. This allows 10 Gbp/s (Gigabits per second) up to 328 feet (100 meters). Cat6 max speed is 250 MHz. Therefore, it only supports 10 Gbp/s to 165 feet (55 meters) under ideal conditions—less in heavy cross talk environments.

Considering a lot of builders are still wiring houses today with Cat 5e, I'd hardly call it obsolete. it will still serve you well, don't worry. Folks are achieving 5 Gbit over Cat 5e without too much difficulty, it seems, so it should not be too difficult for the Cat 6 you have to maintain that pretty steadily. You may not get full throughput on Cat 6 at lengths over 165 feet, but you'll be pretty close.

Besides, I doubt even most techies would call it obsolete - except the really hardcore ones who want their homes running fiber :lmao:

badrobot · Jan 12, 2023

5e is still the standard I think.
Cat6 is a nice upgrade.
Cat6e, why not. If your internet subscription speed is really gonna need it.

johnlgalt · Jan 13, 2023

Agreed. I have 5e in the walls, but I managed to snag a small (100m) box of 6A and used it to make all of my cables for drops, patch cords in the basement, and connecting everything down there starting from the ONT onwards, including the gateway, the switch, and connect in my security, cameras and phone system.

The 5e (2 runs) only gets used for the Upper floor AP I have set up, since I Have no easy way to run the 6A up 2 stories. But it is perfectly acceptable, I'm still getting full Gigabit speeds after overhead directly to my PC.

TVeblen · Jan 13, 2023

I can't disagree with any of that. It is sound advice.
But still, if you know me, I'll get that box of 6a anyway and leave the 470 feet of CAT6 at the transfer station for some lucky person to take away.
Why?
Like Mount Everest, Because it's there!