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CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)Networking ConceptsMedium

A company is installing new network cabling to support 10GBASE-T Ethernet connections up to 100 meters between workstations and a wiring closet switch. Which cable category should be used to meet this requirement?

  1. ACat6a
  2. BCat5e
  3. CCoaxial RG-6
  4. DCat6
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Cat6a

Cat6a is rated to support 10GBASE-T at the full 100-meter distance, whereas Cat6 only supports 10Gbps up to about 55 meters and Cat5e supports only up to 1Gbps reliably.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Cat5e supports only up to 1 Gbps reliably, not 10Gbps.
  • C. Coaxial RG-6 is used for cable television/broadband, not standard Ethernet 10GBASE-T.
  • D. Cat6 supports 10Gbps but only up to approximately 55 meters, not the full 100 meters.

Cat6a Cable

Cat6a (Category 6 augmented) twisted-pair cable supports 10 Gbps Ethernet (10GBASE-T) at the full 100-meter distance with improved crosstalk shielding.

  • Supports 10Gbps up to 100 meters
  • Improved shielding reduces alien crosstalk
  • Backward compatible with Cat6 and Cat5e

Memory trick: Cat6a = 'a' for 'always 100 meters at 10 gig'.

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