Under 10gbase-t, How To Choose Cat6 Vs Cat6a?

Overall, 10GbE UTP CAT6 Cable cables have better network performance than 10GbE Cat6 cables. Cat6a 10GBASE-T cabling can provide 10G performance at higher frequencies (500 MHz) and longer link lengths (100 m) than Cat6 cabling (250 MHz, 55 m). Cat6 Ethernet cables only support 10GBASE-T at distances of 37 to 55 meters, depending on the alien crosstalk environment.

Compared to Cat6, Ca6a has a stronger sheath, which reduces alien crosstalk and improves the signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, the use of Cat6 network cables at 10Gbps cannot take advantage of the power-saving short-distance mode. Short-Range Mode can reduce power consumption by 1W per port when using Cat6 at 30 meters or less. So 10GBASE-T cable Cat6 is not cost-effective and environmentally friendly for 10GBASE-T applications. More importantly, the Cat6 cable cannot dissipate heat like the Cat6a 10GBASE-T cable because the Cat6 10GBASE-T cable has smaller diameter conductors.

10GbE Cat6 cabling does cost less than 10GbE Cat6a cabling. However, assuming you're betting on running 10Gbps over Cat6 cabling, you'll have to replace all Cat6 components when it doesn't work, which will be much more expensive than going straight to Cat6a cabling.

In conclusion, 10GBASE-T cable Cat6 vs Cat6a, the former is not recommended for some 10GBASE-T applications due to its limitations. The minimum cabling class deployed in a 10GBASE-T network should be Cat6a cabling. As for which Cat6a 10GBASE-T cable to use, you can refer to how to choose the right Cat6a cable for your 10G network.