The Importance of Cat6 Solid Copper in the Networking World
We cannot deny the importance of cat6 solid copper in the networking world. In fact, the networking industry is incomplete without Ethernet cables. The reason for that is that these cables create the backbone of networking all around the world. Today, we cannot imagine a network without these cables. No matter how big or small your network is, it is incomplete without Ethernet & fiber optics. These cables come with a bundle of benefits including an excellent data transfer rate and high-security features.
Today, we’ll talk about the importance of cat6 solid copper cable in the networking world. In addition, we’ll also take a look at some of the highlighting features of this cable. So, let us start then.
Difference Between Cat6 Solid Copper & Other Ethernet Cables
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to the deployment & installation of any network. If you are new to this field, you may not be aware of the difference but experts know very well which cable to use. The basic difference is the conductor inside the cable. As the name indicates, this cable has a pure copper conductor inside the cable. These conductors are responsible for excellent conductivity & data transfer rate.
On the other hand, if you buy a simple cable without any copper conductors, you may face some performance issues with that cable. First of all, you will not be able to get your desired speed with an ordinary cable. Secondly, your data may not be completely secure with a cheap cable. Lastly, these types of cables use an alloy of copper and aluminum known as copper-clad aluminum or CCA. If you ever mentioned these letters, stop and rethink the choice you are about to make.
Another big difference between these two types of cable is the deployment areas. For example, if you are buying cable for your home network, you can choose a CCA cable because of its affordability. On the other hand, if you need cable for data centers, you will have to get pure copper cables because of their data transfer rate and security features. Not to mention, pure copper cables are a bit expensive.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the main reasons to choose this cable for your commercial networks.
Cable Length
This is the main reason to choose this cable when you are running it for a bigger network. No matter what type of cable you got, it will have performance issues when you’ll run it for a longer distance. For instance, cat6 bare copper has the ability to deliver 10Gbps of data transfer rate in an ideal condition. Now the more distance you cover with this cable, the less speed you will experience. That is why it is highly imperative to run these cables over shorter distances. If you need to run it over a longer distance, the best option would be to use patch cables and switches to minimize the distance. You should also know that the speed would reduce to 1Gbps at a distance of 100 meters. That is why you should plan properly before you start deploying cable for any network.
Industry Standards are Important
This is yet another important factor you need to consider before you buy any sort of Ethernet cable. Just ensure the cable you purchased meets or exceeds all the industry standards. The reason for that is the safety and security of your data. Furthermore, you have to ensure that your cat6 solid copper cable is fluke tested and it complies with TIA/EIA industry standards. This way you will end up with the best Ethernet cable in the market.
Outer Jackets Matter
Any Ethernet cable comes with three types of outer jackets; plenum, riser, and PVC. It is highly important to know about the difference between these jackets. For example, if you are planning to run a cable inside an elevator shaft, you will have to opt for the plenum-rated cable. These cables burn slowly with a lot of thick smoke to alarm you about the fire. Furthermore, these cables also have fire-retardant qualities.
Similarly, if you are planning to run a cable horizontally, the riser-rated cable would be a wise choice for that. Last but not least is polyvinyl chloride or PVC. These cables are best for outdoor deployment because these cables can withstand harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures.
No matter which jacket type you are choosing, cat6 solid copper cable would do wonders for your network. Lastly, you should know that it would be a big upgrade for you. Since this cable is backward compatible, you can run it with your older cables and it will work perfectly fine.