10Gbit/s copper cable meets new IEEE specs

Siemon's new 10G 6A F/UTP system meets or exceeds all channel requirements dictated by the pending IEEE802.3an standard, scheduled to be ratified in July 2006.

Siemon has released a new new 10G 6A F/UTP end-to-end screened augmented category 6 cabling solution.

Siemon's 10G 6A F/UTP system meets or exceeds all channel requirements dictated by the pending IEEE802.3an standard, scheduled to ratify July 2006.

Siemon's full 10G 6A F/UTP channel consists of a new smaller diameter F/UTP cable, screened toolless MAX modules and Tera-Max patch panels as well as screened 10G 6A MC patch cords and the screened version of Siemon's innovative high-density BladePatch patch cord.

The system is supported by multiple work area faceplates and surface mount options in addition to a full suite of Siemon data centre/telecomms room rack and cable management products.

Like all Siemon solutions, 10G 6A F/UTP carries an inclusive 20 year system warranty when installed by a Siemon Certified Installer.

This new augmented category 6 solution joins Siemon's comprehensive 10G ip line of 10Gbit/s capable cabling systems.

10G ip includes end-to-end solutions in F/UTP, UTP and Category 7/Class F Tera configurations - the three copper cable types recognised to support 10GBase-T.

Siemon's decision to develop this complete range was based on global market needs.

"No single 10Gbit/s copper cabling option is right for every customer", said Robert Carlson, Siemon's VP of Global Marketing: "As people become more savvy about potential solutions, the strength and viability of each system becomes clear and decisions are based on actual needs as opposed to habit or comfort".

"The evolving standards changed the copper cabling landscape", explains Carlson: "The inclusion of alien crosstalk parameters levelled the playing field between UTP, F/UTP and S/FTP".

"Even predominately UTP markets are looking hard at and in many cases, adopting 10G 6A screened or Category 7 TERA fully shielded solutions".

This trend can be partially traced back to the extraordinary means employed by cabling manufacturers to develop alien crosstalk compliant UTP cable.

Recent TIA pending standards allow increased cable diameters of up to 9mm.

Category 6A UTP cable designs with larger diameters than past generations of category 6, such as in Siemon's 10G 6A UTP cable, suitably control alien crosstalk in a familiar UTP construction.

While this construction clearly has its benefits, it is not without drawbacks such as decreased pathway cable counts.

Siemon's 10G 6A F/UTP solution, by virtue of an overall foil, exhibits excellent alien crosstalk performance and can reclaim pathway space with cable diameters of just 7.4mm.

Likewise, end users are weighing the available solutions in terms of installation.

Traditionally easier and quicker to terminate, UTP solutions are a favourite in many markets.

Growing familiarity with F/UTP and S/FTP installation and grounding practices, combined with the ease of termination offered by Siemon's shielded and screened product solutions bring them on par with category 6A UTP cabling in terms of installation ease.

Recently, the IEEE802.3an task force has agreed to feature 100um screened cabling as a supported cabling type for 10GBase-T.

This growing acceptance by installers and applications developers, coupled with the increased noise immunity and decreased emissions make F/UTP a strong global alternative.

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