What is Category 8? Category 8 data cabling is the new high speed copper cabling standard. Cat 8 is primarily aimed for edge cabling in Data Centres, where the length limitation of 30m would not be a problem. Cat 8 cabling will be suitable for connecting server and equipment cabinets to the the edge network equipment, probably located in the same row. Incidentally, this is likely to influence the design of new data centers, as the ‘connect all server racks to one large patch field’ system would exceed the 30m contstraint. Cat8 could also be useful for other specialist application areas, but probably not for offices where many lengths will often exceed 30m. 40Gbit and 100Gbit fibre standards with less onerous length constraints are already available. So why use copper? The answer is the same as for Cat6a – because once the the 25GBase-T and 100GBase-T interface have been developed and are in mass production, the per port cost of Cat 8 is likely to be far less than fibre equivalent links using pre-terminated fibre and expensive fibre interface cards. The Cat 8 standards are expected to be ratified in 2016. The first products from leading cabling manufactures should also be launched in 2016. Affordable 25GBase-T or 40GBase-T interfaces are likely to take at least another couple of year to become available. But as ever with infrastructure, you should plan to install cabling now which will support new equipment for several years ahead.What are the features of Cat 8?
Where will Cat 8 be used?
Why Use Cat 8 rather than fibre?
When will Cat 8 be available?
