Is now the right time to move on to Cat 6A?

Given the rising demands of modern Data Centers, PoE applications, Wi-Fi 6, and HDBase-T technology, we have full confidence that now is the perfect time to upgrade to Cat 6A. In the upcoming sections, we will provide a comprehensive explanation of how Cat 6A can greatly benefit your data center with its advantages in short link capabilities. Additionally, we will explore how Cat 6A's higher bandwidth and improved performance surpass Cat 6, enabling seamless Wi-Fi 6 implementation. Finally, we'll showcase why Cat 6A stands as the optimal choice for PoE and HDBase-T applications.

 ♠ Data Center are entitled to Cat 6A :  

Cat 6 and Cat 6A are the two primary choices typically encountered when it comes to contemporary physical layer installations. These cabling options facilitate the transmission of signals for connecting various devices such as PCs, Wi-Fi access points, and numerous IoT devices. Undoubtedly, the differentiating factor between Cat 6 and Cat 6A lies in their SPEED, which holds significant importance.

In data centers, it is quite common to have a short distance (typically less than 3 meters) between ports. Thus, the importance of supporting short links cannot be overstated. This is precisely why Cat 6A emerges as the sole solution capable of effortlessly accommodating 10-gigabit Ethernet without any limitations or restrictions. Moreover, the Cat 6A standard explicitly addresses the need for ALIEN CROSSTALK mitigation. When faced with the decision between Cat 6 and Cat 6A, the path to choose becomes evident.

 ♣ PoE needs Cat 6A :  

Cat 6A excels in efficiently managing high levels of Power over Ethernet (PoE) without compromising transmission quality. With the rapid growth of PoE built-in endpoints like Wi-Fi access points, surveillance cameras, and lighting systems, there is a rising demand for power delivery of at least 60W (Type 3) and 90W (Type 4) nowadays. Consequently, higher power output results in increased heat passing through each cabling run. As per the fundamental cabling rule, heat has an impact on Insertion Loss, which directly affects network quality. Cat 6A Cable, in conjunction with Cat 6A Keystone Jacks and Patch Panels, provides thicker conductors and enables superior heat dissipation and attenuation performance. This combination ensures optimal suitability for future-proof applications, guaranteeing reliable and high-performance connectivity.Moreover, Cat 6A outperforms Cat 6 in handling balanced signals. Consequently, the inclusion of additional power running on Cat 6A is unlikely to result in a Resistance Unbalance issue. This is crucial because poor balance can lead to the induction of noise into signals, causing unequal injected voltage on the twisted pair. Such imbalances can potentially lead to network downtime.

 ♥ Wi-Fi calls for Cat 6A, too! :  

The demand for bandwidth and speed is further propelled by Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax). Cat 6A provides enhanced capabilities and stability, catering to the requirements of multiple groups simultaneously accessing the network.

 ♦ HDBase-T works on Cat 6A :  

HDBase-T technology facilitates the transmission of full HD video, allowing for the adoption of 4K/8K resolutions through twisted pair cabling. With the introduction of HDBase-T 2.0, power delivery of up to 100W is achievable, enabling the powering of HD TVs up to a distance of 100 meters. Taking into account the heat dissipation concern mentioned earlier, it is worth noting that Shielded Cat 6A stands as the only cabling option capable of supporting a 100-meter distance over twisted-pairs, while Cat 6 is limited to less than 40 meters.

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