Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the benefit of Category 6A cabling vs. Category 6 or 5e cabling?
- What are Fibre Optics?
- Should I install Fibre Optic Cabling now and skip Category 6A?
What is the benefit of Category 6A cabling vs. Category 6 or 5e cabling?
The primary benefit is the future-proofing that the higher quality category 6A cabling provides the customer with. To ensure that you can use any new cabling as long as possible, then it is better to install the best cabling available. Once installed, cabling is difficult to replace especially when it has been installed in parts of a building that are inacessible. Advances in technology mean that future data transfer requirements will require higher quality cabling - so the higher the quality installed now, the longer life span it will provide. So installing category 6A cabling now instead of category 5e or 6 should prove to be an economically sensible decision over the longer term.
What are Fibre Optics?
Fibre optics (optical fibres) are long, thin strands of very pure glass about the diameter of a human hair. They are arranged in bundles called optical cables and used to transmit light signals over long distances. Hundreds or thousands of these optical fibres are arranged in bundles in optical cables. The bundles are protected by the cable's outer covering, called a jacket.
Should I install Fibre Optic Cabling now and skip Category 6A?
This is certainly an option to consider. Fibre Optic systems are still more expensive but pricies continue to fall. The quality of the cabling is higher and so more reliable as well as having a longer life. However, the installation of copper cabling is easier handled using simpler tools and techniques. If Voice over IP phones are a requirement, then the Power over Ethernet (PoE) or IEEE 802.3af capabilities are a factor. At PS Networks, we will look at your current and likely future requirements and assist you with any such decisions.