Which cable type is specified for the 10GBASE-T standard?

The 10GBASE-T standard, which supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-pair cabling, specifies the use of Cat 6a cable as the appropriate type. Cat 6a cables are designed to handle frequencies up to 500 MHz and offer improved performance over Cat 6 cables, making them suitable for 10GBASE-T applications over distances up to 100 meters.

Additionally, the specifications for 10GBASE-T require the cable to have enhanced shielding and more stringent performance standards to minimize crosstalk and ensure reliable transmission at high speeds. While Cat 6 can support 10GBASE-T, it is limited to shorter distances of about 55 meters, thus falling short on the longer cable runs expected in many scenarios.

In contrast, Cat 5 and Cat 5e cabling do not meet the requirements for 10 Gigabit speeds and are inadequate for this standard, as they were designed for lower speed Ethernet applications. Cat 7 cables, while also capable of supporting high-speed networks, are not commonly used in typical networking environments due to their greater complexity and cost, and they are not explicitly required by the 10GBASE-T standard. Therefore, Cat 6a is the correct choice for ensuring