The best Ethernet cables for 2022

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Moogle Stiltzkin
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The best Ethernet cables for 2022

Post by Moogle Stiltzkin »

In this article, we will also explore why Cat 6A took over previous categories (Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6) and why it’s a better option than – theoretically superior – copper cabling types such as Cat 7, Cat 7A and even Cat 8.

Although Cat 6A first appeared in 2004 in the form of CommScope’s SYSTIMAX® GigaSPEED® X10D, it would not be formally published as a standard until 2009. By then, however, it was known across the industry as the cabling category of the future that would enable the next wave of high-bandwidth copper connectivity. This was why cabling manufacturers quickly tried to replicate it and standards bodies were compelled to publish an agreed standard.

Looking back, we see that it has enabled the development and deployment of many bandwidth-hungry applications that today’s enterprises cannot do without. And it is not finished yet – it remains the recommended infrastructure for modern new-builds and promises to remain relevant for many years to come. Proof of its success can be seen in the sales volume that continues to grow, almost two decades after the initial draft of the standard.
https://www.lkhpd.com.sg/cat6a/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing ... et-cables/


recently i myself bought some cat6a after doing my own research. my mistake for my previous purchase was buying a flat cat7 cable. u should go for cat6a rounded cables becauz it's rated for 10gbe, and pricing wise it isn't much more than cat5/cat6, so why not.

another thing u should check is the seller comments, cauz not all cables are equal. the ones i got didn't have complaints on the reliability of the cable, so i felt comfortable buying it.


for 2.5gbe, i think i read they said cat5e would be the bare minimum, also cat6 may work for 10gbe at close distances. but since cat6a isn't that much more expensive, i could justify going cheap here for getting some new ethernet cables for my planned network upgrade.


TLDR
Image


hope that helped, for anyone planning to get any ethernet cables for 2022 :)
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Bob Zelin
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Re: The best Ethernet cables for 2022

Post by Bob Zelin »

Hi -
I find Cat 8 funny. There are no NIC cards from ANY manufacturer that have RJ45 connectors for Cat 8, or 25G or 40G. There are no RJ45 to SFP28 connectors for 25G or 40G. So in my stupid opinion, Cat 8 is totally useless, because NO ONE - not one manufacturer supports it. Cat 7 is for video transmission over ethernet because it's shielded. But Cat 7 is not part of the 10GbE standard - only Cat 6 and Cat 6A (55 meters and 100 meters).

Because I actually do 10G on every installation, you don't get more than 1000 MB/sec (maybe 1100 if you are lucky) with a 10G with Cat6 or Cat6A (depending on your distance). And now that I am doing 25G (SFP28 using the QNAP/Mellanox/NVidia cards) - if you get 2200 MB/sec you are lucky.

"ooh - lets make Cat 8 copper cable - lets make Cat 9 copper cable" - exactly what does this mean ? No one makes a NIC card that supports this.
And if I am wrong - then PLEASE tell me !!!!!

Bob Zelin
Bob Zelin / Rescue 1, Inc.
http://www.bobzelin.com
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Moogle Stiltzkin
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Re: The best Ethernet cables for 2022

Post by Moogle Stiltzkin »

NAS
[Main Server] QNAP TS-877 (QTS) w. 4tb [ 3x HGST Deskstar NAS & 1x WD RED NAS ] EXT4 Raid5 & 2 x m.2 SATA Samsung 850 Evo raid1 +16gb ddr4 Crucial+ QWA-AC2600 wireless+QXP PCIE
[Backup] QNAP TS-653A (Truenas Core) w. 4x 2TB Samsung F3 (HD203WI) RaidZ1 ZFS + 8gb ddr3 Crucial
[^] QNAP TL-D400S 2x 4TB WD Red Nas (WD40EFRX) 2x 4TB Seagate Ironwolf, Raid5
[^] QNAP TS-509 Pro w. 4x 1TB WD RE3 (WD1002FBYS) EXT4 Raid5
[^] QNAP TS-253D (Truenas Scale)
[Mobile NAS] TBS-453DX w. 2x Crucial MX500 500gb EXT4 raid1

Network
Qotom Pfsense|100mbps FTTH | Win11, Ryzen 5600X Desktop (1x2tb Crucial P50 Plus M.2 SSD, 1x 8tb seagate Ironwolf,1x 4tb HGST Ultrastar 7K4000)


Resources
[Review] Moogle's QNAP experience
[Review] Moogle's TS-877 review
https://www.patreon.com/mooglestiltzkin
Bob Zelin
Experience counts
Posts: 1370
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:55 am
Location: Orlando, FL.
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Re: The best Ethernet cables for 2022

Post by Bob Zelin »

ok - one more time Moogle -
in your YouTube video by Mike Faucher -
at 18:49, he shows a chart, about how long you can run a Cat 7 and a Cat 8 cable for 40 Gig ethernet.

So what does that mean in REAL LIFE ? NO ONE manufacturers a 40G card (or SFP28 25G card) that has an RJ45 connector on it.
NO ONE manufacturers a QSFP+ or SFP28 to RJ45 adapter. NO ONE. And if I am wrong, then PLEASE SHOW ME A LINK, because I am not aware of any manufacturer
that is making a 25G or 40G RJ45 NIC card.

I would be THRILLED to use Cat 8 cable for the QNAP QSW-M5216-1T SFP28 switch, but it's all SFP28, and no one makes an SFP28 to RJ45 adapter. 30 meters is plenty for most installations, and
it's certainly easier to use Cat 8 (even with the difficult termination) instead of dual SFP28 Transceivers and LC-LC fiber cable. Only problem - these products don't exist.

Bob Zelin
Bob Zelin / Rescue 1, Inc.
http://www.bobzelin.com
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