The Future of Cat6

Category 6, colloquially known as Cat6 cables are a kind of patch cable which has four pairs of twisted copper wire of 23 gauge in it (remember that in wire gauges, a large number means a smaller wire). It is a cable standard that is mainly used for Ethernet computer networking, security systems, and telephone services. It carries Ethernet 10Base-T, 100Base-TX and 1000Base-T connections. Cat6 cables are backwards compatible with Cat5, Cat5e and Cat3 cable standards. This cable is capable of transmitting data up to 155Mbps and has a transmission frequency up to 550Mhz.

Problems with Past Versions

Many companies have traditionally used Cat5e cables for their security and data systems. This usually works just fine and not many problems have historically come up. However with the drastic improvement in technology, companies have turned to Cat6 when installing new systems because of the transmission differences. Cat5e only have 100MHz of transmission, while Cat6 has much higher transmission frequencies. For simple tasks such as sending emails and making phone calls, Cat5e does just the trick. However, these simple tasks are almost obsolete. Companies do more complex tasks like mass data transfer over secure networks. This makes it necessary for them to make their entire system stronger – it is inconvenient to have to re-transmit information just because the system isn’t capable of handling it and it results in corrupted or lost data. That is unacceptable in a world where convenience and security is one of the most important aspects of business.

Drawbacks

The only drawbacks to Cat6 cable are abstract and easy to combat as time passes. One problem with Cat6 cables is the installation. The four conductors in the wire are twisted very tightly, which makes it difficult to split the connection. The companies that manufacture the cables are working to provide jacks and panels which have sharper teeth that try and split the conductors in the cable into different pairs and this can make the installation easier. This problem is something that can be worked on as time passes and the technology improves even more. Another problem is that many systems are originally built with Cat5e cables. Even though Cat5e and Cat6 cables are compatible, it can cause difficulties in the system to install pieces with different wires. It is advised that you should only use one type of cable, but it is rather inconvenient to completely replace a system.

What to Expect in the Future

As companies and businesses expect more from their cables, it becomes important for them to use Cat6 instead of Cat5e cables. Therefore, whenever replacing systems or creating new ones, Cat6 will be used until it becomes the universal standard. Even though it is not the optimal usage, companies can use Cat6 to replace pieces of their system. From this point, it would be difficult to imagine a company or business that chooses Cat6 over Cat5e, and soon Cat 5e will simply be obsolete. The increased transfer rate and durability will evidently cause it to be the Ethernet cord of the future.