Cat6 works effectively up to 100 meters if you use 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet. By that means, if you have Cat6 installed in your system, it would run up to 100 meters. That’s why you can get the data speed within 100 meters of power over an Ethernet network.

Several scenarios are asking about such cases. Do you know the most effective application of Ethernet? The answer is quite simple. PoE technology uses Ethernet ports to transfer the data and power supply. Since it is better than the wireless system, you can find its applications in our networks.

What is an Ethernet port?

What do you think about what will be the Ethernet? In actuality, Ethernet is a local area network. As you need a cable to establish the connection between different devices in a LAN, you can consider an Ethernet port to be of value. So, an Ethernet port is a cable used to connect the devices in LAN. Some devices might include computers, routers, hubs, switches, and modems.

Either in industrial Ethernet or data centers networks, you can see the applications of Ethernet ports. Especially in the PoE network, this is of worth.

What are the different types of Ethernet ports?

Ethernet port is of multiple types. You know, why? Because you have numerous technologies out there. For example, PoE 802.3bt is quite different from PoE 802.3af. So, PoE 802.3bt is compatible with different types of Ethernet ports. Similarly, you can suppose the importance of Ethernet port for other systems.

If you need to know more about PoE 802.3bt, have a look at—What is PoE BT?

However, here is the list of different types of Ethernet ports.

• Cat3
• Cat5
• Cat6
• Cat7
• Cat8

Cat5 and other types of Ethernet might have upgraded versions as well. For example, Cat6e.

To understand which Ethernet port is best for PoE, have a guide—What is the best Ethernet cable for PoE?

What is the Cat6 Ethernet port?

Cat6, also called Category 6 Ethernet, is an Ethernet port with twisted pair of cables. It is different and better than the Cat5 or lower versions of Ethernet. So, it offers performance up to 250 megahertz while Cat5 offers 100 megahertz.

In PoE+, you can use the Cat6 Ethernet port for a high-speed data connection. It can enable 1GB per second of speed in the system.

Is Cat6e different from Cat6?

Have you ever heard of Cat6e? Even sometimes, we used to call it Cat6a as well. Never confuse it with the Cat6 because it is different from the Cat6 port.

The working principle of Cat6e depends on standard ANSI/TIA-568.2-D while that of Cat6—568-C.2. So, Cat6e is an upgrade of Cat6 working at frequencies of 500 megahertz that is almost twice Cat6’s.

Telecommunications Industry Association introduced Cat6e in 2018.

Is Cat6 port backward compatible?

In actuality, backward compatibility uses an Ethernet port with the older technologies. For example, it is backward compatible with Cat5 or Cat3. Remember, it will not be compatible with upgraded versions such as Cat7 or Cat8.

That’s why you can call Cat6 “Backward Compatible.”

How far can you run Cat6 Ethernet port?

Here is our main question. The answer is not as simple as you might expect. There are two types of Ethernet. One is Fast Ethernet, and the second is Gigabit Ethernet. So, we have to differentiate the length according to Ethernet technology.

Cat6 Ethernet can run up to 100 meters with Fast Ethernet—10/100/1000BASE-T. When it comes to Gigabit Ethernet, you can only get 55 meters.

You can understand it better with data speed as well. If you use the Cat6 port and get 1GB data speed, it can provide you with this speed up to 100 meters of range. If you increase the speed to 10GB per second with Gigabit Ethernet, the capacity reduces to 55 meters only.

So, you can use the Ethernet port with the given range and data speed. So simple scenario, I believe!

Should I employ a Cat6 Ethernet port in my system?

Yes. It would help if you employed a Cat6 Ethernet port for your PoE network. Before that, you must keep the following points in mind.

• Whether your system is Cat6 compatible or not.
• What are your goals regarding data speed?
• How many meters of range do you expect from Cat6 port?
• Are you using fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet?
• Which one would be better? Cat6 or Cat6e.

If you can answer the above questions, you are good to go for your Cat6 Ethernet. You might think, why have I asked those questions, right? The secret lies in your requirements if they work well with Cat6 port; just fantastic! Otherwise, go for better options like Cat7 or Cat8.

What are the advantages of the Cat6 Ethernet port?

Cat6 Ethernet is a good option for PoE networks, especially for higher data speed. While selecting the right things, we have to focus on different aspects. I have listed the advantages and disadvantages of Cat6 Ethernet to increase ease for better choices. Go through and enjoy!

You can enjoy a high-speed data connection!

Is high-speed data connection your ultimate desire? Cat6 can help you get it. Since Cat6 is compatible with the Gigabit Ethernet switch, you can enjoy Gigabytes of data speed per second. No doubt, range decreases, but it is still sufficient for smaller networks.

It can provide greater bandwidth.

Cat6 has four pairs of twisted cables. It makes it similar to Cat5 and Cat5e. But, the remarkable fact is one pair of wires is away from the other, providing twice the bandwidth of Cat5. Isn’t it great for your network?

Cat6 is upgradable

Cat6 is a better option when you have future goals of upgrading the network. Cat6 offers an update to a better version and increases the network performance. You can upgrade it to Cat6e, which offers 10GB per second of data speed. Simply cool!

It is backward compatible.

Suppose you have older versions of the technology, no problem. Cat6 is compatible with your Cat3 or Cat5 compatible system. So, no more investments. Just enjoy a high-speed network.

What are the disadvantages of the Cat6 Ethernet port?

Apart from the advantages, the Cat6 Ethernet port has some disadvantages. Have a look!

It was a bit expensive.

Cat6 Ethernet port is a promising option for high-speed data, but you need to focus on price as well. If I talk about the price, it is expensive. By that means, if you are short on budget, you have to skip the Cat6 port.

You get reduced range when used with Gigabit Ethernet.

When you use the Cat6 port with a Fast Ethernet switch, you have access to 100 meters range. In the case of Gigabit Ethernet, this distance reduces to just 55 meters. So, better choose it when you have devices within the given field.