Written by Don Schultz, Senior Technical Consultant for trueCABLE, Fluke Networks Copper/Fiber CCTT, BICSI INSTC, INSTF Certified
Internet speeds have become faster. File sizes are huge compared to what they were just five years ago. A typical game download can take up over 90GB of space! 4K and 8K video streaming (especially uncompressed video) is already here. With so many bits and bytes, and the increasing number of connected devices on your network, almost any local area network (LAN) will require some wise planning. Combine this with common computers and networks finally being able to carry this amount of data easily and at relatively little additional cost. Some examples are entry-level mini PCs that come with 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports (known as NICs or Network Interface Cards) and network switches to go along with the addition of SFP/SFP+ ports capable of handling fiber-optic connections at up to 10 Gigabit speeds. per second. Previously, these high speeds were found directly in the business with affordable prices. no longer!
Which Ethernet cable is right to address this movement toward faster data needs and cheaper (but faster) networking equipment? Is it tried and true? Copper grade Ethernet cable Available today is still the right choice? The answers are more complex than they seem, and a number of factors must be taken into account.
We’ll sort through the complexity and provide some concrete recommendations!
Overview of Cat7, Cat8 and fiber optic cables
Copper class cables, that is cat5e Through Cat8, they are metallic communications cables that use insulated copper conductors twisted in four pairs designed for the express purpose of transmitting data and power (Power over Ethernet, or PoE) over distances of up to 100 meters or 328 feet. Transmission is done via low voltage signals, making use of electrons. Fiber optic cables You have one or more glass or plastic fiber optic connectors designed for the express purpose of transmitting data only over distances of up to 40 kilometers! The cores of fiber optic cables carry data in the form of light pulses (photons) at specific wavelengths.
Both data transmission technologies are designed to transport Ethernet data packets, which is the common denominator. The end result is connections between routers, switches, computers, printers, and more to create a cohesive network. Of course, how technologies actually transfer data couldn’t be more different, and that’s what we’ll talk about in this blog. It’s all about choosing the right technology for the job!
The importance of choosing the right cabling solution
When building any network, the type and capabilities of cabling must match the speed requirements of your application as well as the requirements of the equipment purchased. Misunderstanding and incorrect cable selection will lead to a non-functioning network and unnecessary expenses.
Data transfer speeds and bandwidth
Cat7 and Cat8 maximum speeds and bandwidth
First, it should be noted that Cat7 is an ISO/IEC 11801 standard and is not recognized in North America by the TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association). Therefore, Cat7 is not really a viable option for installations in North America. However, Cat8 is recognized by TIA. If you’re considering Cat7, install it cat6a Rather, because the appropriate terminators differ significantly from typical devices on the market in North America. Cat7 uses TERA and GG45 connectors, which are not compatible with typical communication devices and tools on the open market. These connectors are required for Cat7 operation at full speed, plus the Cat7 cable must be shielded to all specifications, which introduces another set of installation hurdles. Cat8 No Requires shieldingbut often.
Speed (which is the speed of the application such as 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps) is related to the increase in megahertz bandwidth that the cable can carry. The table below shows any differences in speed capabilities between these cables.
*Higher speeds come with severe distance restrictions as shown below
Fiber optic cable speeds and bandwidth
There are two basic types of fiber optic connectors:
Any of these Types of fiber optic cables Your choice will have a significant impact on your speed capabilities (particularly speed over distance) as well as the equipment required to transmit light pulses over the fiber.
Compare data transfer capabilities
Let’s take a quick look at the differences in transferring a large 1TB (TB) file with these different speeds and see what the differences are!
As we saw above, just moving from 1G to 10G makes a huge difference in quality of life!
Distance limits
Maximum distance restrictions for Cat7 and Cat8
As the chart shows, 328 feet is the maximum length in a best-case scenario and speeds above 10 Gbps require significant length reductions.
Optical fiber cable distance capabilities
Fiber goes further and faster
Distance considerations for different network applications
As the two tables above show, the faster the application speeds, the lower the allowed lengths. This is why choosing the right cable type (especially when considering SMF vs. MMF) is crucial. If the application requires a 2,300-foot run from one building to another and the speed must be 10 Gbps, single-mode fiber is absolutely required unless you have the ability to use multiple backhaul connections to extend other types of cable, which is absolutely impossible with a Air or direct burial.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros and cons of Cat7 cables
Pros
Cat7 allows up to 40 Gbps up to 165 feet, which exceeds the speed of Cat6A and Cat8. Cat7 allows the use of PoE (Power over Ethernet).
Despite the need for specialized devices and terminators, Cat7 still uses technology familiar to telecommunications cable installers.
cons
Cat7 is not recognized or recommended for installation in North America. Cat7 requires specialized termination devices and tools. Cat7, according to ISO/IEC 11801, must be shielded in order to get the most out of it, which greatly increases costs and installation complexity. Cat7 installations weigh much more and take up more space than fiber optic installations capable of the same or higher speeds over much greater distances. Any speed advantage of Cat7 is canceled after 165 feet. Subject to length restrictions caused by temperature. Vulnerable to EMI/RFI and ESD, even if shielded.
Pros and cons of Cat8 cables
Pros
Cat8 allows up to 40 Gbps up to 98 feet, which exceeds the speed of Cat6A. Cat8 allows the use of PoE (Power over Ethernet). Cat8, unlike Cat7, does not require shielding Connection to the land Thus reducing installation costs and complexity. Cat8 allows the use of familiar installation tools and tools. Cat8 is not an unfamiliar technology, so using the same thing Color code finish style Like any other copper Ethernet cable.
cons
Cat8 installations weigh much more and take up more space than fiber optic installations capable of the same or higher speeds over much greater distances. Any speed advantage of Cat8 is canceled after 98 feet, making it suitable for short distance applications only. susceptible to Temperature caused by height restrictions.
Vulnerable to EMI/RFI. Cable shields for protected installations must be grounded.
Pros and cons of fiber optic cables
Pros
Fiber optic cables, foot for foot, weigh much less than metal communications cables. Fiber optic cables allow extremely high speeds over longer distances than any copper communication cable. Fiber optic cables allow for slower speeds, compared to copper, over distances measured in kilometers. Fiber optic installations occupy much less cross-sectional area compared to copper communication cables. Fiber optic cables do not require bonding to ground (except being shielded outdoors where the shield itself must be bonded to ground for safety.) Fiber optic cables are completely immune to EMI/RFI and ESD. Fiber optic cables are completely immune to length restrictions caused by temperature.
cons
Fiber optic cable technology requires additional technical training because many installers are not familiar with it. Terminating (splicing, actually) fiber optic cable requires skill and practice. Specialized and expensive tools are required to install and splice fiber optic communications cables, which may require additional technical training. Fiber optic cable connectors are not capable of PoE transmission.
Applications and environments
Best use cases for Cat7 cables
Installations requiring 10 Gbps speeds at distances up to 328 feet benefit from the protection. High-speed applications 165 feet or shorter need up to 40 Gbps such as same-room communications in data centers or between communications rooms.
Best use cases for Cat8 cables
Installations that require 10 Gbps at distances up to 328 feet but do not require shielding. High-speed applications 98 feet or shorter need up to 40 Gbps such as same-room connections in data centers.
Best use cases for fiber optic cables
Building-to-building backbone communications Backbone communications between communications rooms Outdoor installations over very long distances Extremely high network speed networks (big data) Highly affected installations EMI/RFI or Environment and sustainable development
Installations that are exposed to high temperatures over a distance
Cost considerations
Cost comparisons of Cat7, Cat8 and fiber optic cables
Cat7, Cat8 and fiber optic cable costs on a per foot basis are comparable (compared to one or two bulk fiber cables). Fiber optic cable costs escalate as the number of connectors increases. Installation costs are equal for all types of cable as the cost of fiber termination may be higher but space and weight limitations offset this.
Summary of key findings
Fiber optic communications cable is very useful when it comes to extremely high speeds (above 10 Gbps) and long distances. When speeds of 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps are needed over very long distances, fiber optic technology is the only option. Today’s copper communications cables such as Cat7 and Cat8, not to mention Cat6 and Cat6A, all have their place in an installation. For the foreseeable future, communications cabling installations will be hybrids of fiber optics, copper twisted pair class cables, and perhaps even Coaxial cable For some old applications. The primary barriers to widespread adoption of fiber optic technology are technician training requirements, complex splicing/terminating procedures, and expensive equipment to accomplish this.
So, there you have it! Communication cables are advancing, but not so quickly that they have outdated all previous technologies as in the world of computers. Choosing modern and future cables depends on what you need to do, who is doing it, and how fast you need it.
Happy communication!
trueCABLE provides the information on our website, including the “Cable Academy” blog and live chat support, as a service to our customers and other visitors to our website subject to our website. Terms and Conditions. Although the information contained on this site relates to data networking and electrical issues, it is not professional advice and any reliance on such material is at your own risk.
