Network reference
Ethernet Cables
Common twisted-pair Ethernet cable categories and their support for 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
| Cable category | 1 Gbps | 2.5 Gbps | 5 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited* |
| Cat6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, up to 55 m* |
| Cat6a | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, up to 100 m |
| Cat7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, up to 100 m |
| Cat8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, up to 30 m** |
* Cat5e: 10GbE is not formally guaranteed. It may work over short, high-quality runs, but results depend on installation and interference.
* Cat6: 10GbE commonly supports up to 55 meters; the usable distance can be shorter in high-crosstalk environments.
** Cat8: Supports 10GbE and is designed for 25/40GbE over channel lengths up to 30 meters.
Note: “Cat6e” is a marketing label, not an official TIA cable category. For guaranteed 10GbE at 100 meters, use Cat6a.