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Main differences between Blackstone CAT6, CAT6a, CAT7, and CAT8 cables
AT6: Category 6 cables support Gigabit Ethernet data rates of 1 gigabit per second. They can accommodate 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections over a limited distance. They are limited to a 164-feet length when used for 10Gb Ethernet.
CAT6a: Category 6a cables support 10 Gigabit Ethernet data rates, which is a significant improvement over CAT6. They also decrease the chance of crosstalk, which is interference from adjacent wires. CAT6a cables can accommodate a 10 Gigabit Ethernet connection for a full 328-feet length.
CAT7: Category 7 cables, also known as Class F cable, support data rates of up to 10 gigabits per second at a bandwidth of 600MHz. They feature even stricter specifications for crosstalk and system noise than CAT6a. They also require a GigaGate45 (GG45) connector to reach the full 10Gb Ethernet potential.
CAT8: Category 8 cables are the latest iteration. They can support a speed of 25 Gb/s to 40Gb/s over a distance of up to 30 meters. They operate at a bandwidth of 2000MHz. They are more expensive and are typically used in data centers, rather than in office or home networks.
In summary, the main differences between CAT6, CAT6a, CAT7, and CAT8 cables are the speed, distance, and frequency they can support, the type of connectors they use, and the extent to which they can prevent crosstalk and noise interference.