Cat 6a
Also known as: Category 6a · Cat6a
Cat 6a is a copper cabling category for structured cabling, specified up to 500 MHz, that reliably carries 10-gigabit Ethernet over the full 100-meter length.
Cat 6a designates a twisted-pair copper cable category, specified in ISO/IEC 11801 as Class EA up to 500 MHz. It exists because older categories such as Cat 5e or Cat 6 are fine for 1-gigabit networks but are not reliable enough for 10-gigabit Ethernet over the full standard run of 100 meters.
In practice, Cat 6a cable is noticeably thicker and stiffer, often with extra shielding or an internal cross-web separator that keeps the four wire pairs apart. It gets installed the same way as any other network cable, from patch panel to outlet, except it needs a larger bend radius, which has to be accounted for during installation.
A common mistake is assuming Cat 6a cable alone guarantees Cat 6a performance: connectors, outlets, and the patch panel also have to be rated for Cat 6a, or the weakest link limits the whole run. Cat 6a is also sufficient for today's 10-gigabit ports, but for future, even higher speeds, fiber is usually the better option.
What it means in practice
Cat 6a becomes relevant for a business the moment a server, NAS, or new switch with 10-gigabit ports gets purchased: without a full end-to-end Cat 6a run, the connection stays capped at 1 gigabit no matter how fast the devices themselves are.
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