gharris@convergencecable.com

CAT 6 FAQ's - Page 2

Straight Talk on Meeting Proposed Standards
BY JANE LIVINGSTON AND JAY LAHMAN


WHY CAN'T END USERS ATTAIN CATEGORY 6 PERFORMANCE BY SOURCING CATEGORY 6 PRODUCTS FROM ONE VENDOR?
Herein lies the real problem with Category 6 systems that are only link and channel compliant, and not component compliant. An end-to-end Category 6 network consists of more than just the cable management system. There are other critical products beyond patch panels, patch cords, cable and modular jacks that must work in concert with the cabling infrastructure.

For example, what about Category 6 RJ-45 jacks that will soon be in network interface cards (NIC), hubs and routers? These are certainly integral parts of an end-to-end Category 6 network. When manufacturers do offer NIC and hub products for Category 6 connectivity, their products will have component compliant RJ-45 jacks that are manufactured to mate with plugs exhibiting crosstalk in the proper range as required in the proposed Category 6 standards. So if the standards-based, component compliant Category 6 jack in the NIC encounters a plug tuned to a narrower and higher range, a plug that is not component compliant, the result would be an over-canceling of crosstalk and performance significantly below Category 6.


"Herein lies the real problem with Category 6 systems that are only link and channel compliant, and not component compliant."


And this is worth repeating. Mating Category 6 cable, patch panels, modular jacks or patch cords that are not Category 6 component compliant with Category 5e components could easily result in channel performance well below Category 5e.


IF MY SYSTEM PASSED CATEGORY 6 LINK TESTS, AM I OKAY?
Without a component compliant solution, the answer is no. Remember that link tests do not see the cross-connect, station cords and equipment cords. And it is patch cords that are thought by many to be the weak link in any Category 6 system. Once you add in station cords, equipment cords and the cross-connect, your system may not achieve Category 6 performance.


IF MY SYSTEM PASSED CATEGORY 6 CHANNEL TESTS, AM I OKAY?
Without a component compliant solution, the answer is yes, until you move patch cords. Or until you introduce a hub, router or NIC that is built with RJ-45s that are component compliant. Or if you source horizontal cable that does not feature the typical, generous headroom. Or if you find a new vendor of component compliant patch cords that offers a better price, better service and a better patch cord.

In the end result, Category 6 products that are not component compliant are proprietary systems, which means you are stuck with one vendor forever. And at some point, you will have failures in your Category 6 system.


ARE THERE ANY CATEGORY 6 SYSTEMS TODAY THAT ARE LINK, CHANNEL AND COMPONENT COMPLIANT?
Yes, ADC's Enteraprise Category 6 Solutions is one. Each component, modular jack, patch panel, connecting block and patch cord is backwards compatible to Category 3, Category 5 and Category 5e in component, link and channel with rated products from any manufacturer. In fact, ADC offers a complete end-to-end Category 6 component solution: patch cords, patch panels, ADC-approved cable and modular jacks. The ADC modular jack today exceeds proposed Category 6 component, link and channel performance for NEXT, FEXT, attenuation and return loss to 250 MHz.

"...only a link, channel and component compliant system will support any next generation applications designed for TIA/EIA Category 6 Draft 5 transmission requirements..."


WHAT ABOUT PATCH CORDS?
Patch cords do appear to be the potential Achilles heel of Category 6 systems. And as of this writing, there is nothing solid in the proposed standards on patch cords. However, ADC has developed a testing methodology to support component compliance of patch cords whereby production testing ensures that each patch cord will pass in a worst case Category 6 channel configuration. Until the standards provide more direction on testing and performance, ADC patch cords fully support ADC component compliance for all lengths and for all pair combinations to 250 MHz.


IS CABLE MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT WITH CATEGORY 6 SYSTEMS?
Absolutely. Category 6 performs up to 250 MHz. This shorter wavelength is much more susceptible to improper bend radius in cable and patch cords. Achieving proper bend radius throughout the network is therefore a critical consideration in purchasing a Category 6 system.


WHY BUY CATEGORY 6?
Certainly, there is appeal in purchasing a cabling infrastructure that promises more than double the usable bandwidth as compared to Category 5e systems. If you apply Moore's Law to bandwidth, you can expect that commercially available bandwidth will double about every 1.9 years. (Source: Eidering, Charles A., "Is There a Moore's Law for Bandwidth?," IEEE Communications Magazine, October 1999.) And it is already apparent that backbones are getting faster and faster, which will, in turn, allow faster speeds over twisted pair to the desktop. More than anything else, Category 6 is a solid bet on the future.

If Category 6 is a bet on the future, then it doesn't make sense to install a system that ignores component compliance. After all, how many times do you change out PCs and those NICs? More times than you will change your cabling infrastructure. And only a link, channel and component compliant system will support any next generation applications designed for TIA/EIA Category 6 Draft 5 transmission requirements. This, of course, provides huge protection for your investment in cabling infrastructure.

 

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Jane Livingston is director of enterprise connectivity systems for ADC. Jay Lahman is senior product manager for enterprise connectivity systems for ADC.