If you are planning to upgrade your existing cable system or looking for a new installation then you must have heard about this new technology known as fiber optic cabling system. As compared to other networking systems such as the internet or copper cables, fiber optics are becoming popular due to their host of benefits including reliability and security. Also, along with the fiber optics system Cat 6a has gained immense popularity in VoIP networks (Voice Over Internet Protocol).
Let’s delve deeper into how the Cat 6 Cable System is different from the fiber optics cable system. Advantages and which one to choose?
Cat 6 Cable Vs Fiber Optic System
Cat 6 cabling (Category 6 Cabling System) is a standard cabling system often employed for Gigabit Ethernet and several varied network protocols. Additionally, the latest generation i.e. the sixth generation of Ethernet cables is made by twisting a couple of copper wires, Cat 6 is made up of four pairs of twisted wires and they are like the Cat 5 cables. Moreover, Cat 6 cable has the ability to support more communication at more speed in contrast to Cat 5 cables, with 1 Gigabit Ethernet speed per second.
A fiber optics System also referred to as an optical cable system, is a completely innovative cabling system that operates by drawing lights. Unlike the Cat 6 cable system that works on electricity to transmit signals. It is a known fact that the fastest way to communicate and transmit information is light, and it’s exceptionally useful for businesses. And due to this reason, the speed offered by fiber optic is uninterrupted and clear.
Here Are The Advantages Of Fiber Optics Cable –
1. High Bandwidth Is Supported:
Fiber optic cable offers more bandwidth as compared to other networking systems. Additionally, in this present era, the only available technology giving unmatched bandwidth more than copper wire is fiber optic cables. Moreover, every business is running behind more and more bandwidth. So, when the network is in high demand the performance is not affected, if a fiber optic cabling system is being used.
There are myriads of businesses that heavily rely on uninterrupted speed for numerous tasks such as file sharing, web conferencing, virtual meetings, Streaming high-quality videos, and most importantly smoothly running cloud applications.
2. Unparalleled Speed:
Another astounding advantage that makes fiber optics a perfect pick is faster speed. Unlike other cable networking systems, the speed can be hampered easily whereas with fiber optic cables the data is transmitted swiftly. In addition to this, the range of fiber optic internet is between 5 Mbps to 100 Mbps. So, this high speed ensures that work is accomplished on time at a faster rate, with no productivity loss. What’s more- the download and upload speeds are symmetrical with fiber optic cables i.e. it’s equal.
3. Least Affected By External Factors:
Often traditional networking systems with copper wires are strongly affected by external factors like electromagnetic interference. However, new-age fiber optics are least affected by any external factors. Plus, these wires are not prone to any power fluctuations or failure due to bad weather. Besides this, fiber optics is resistant to physical interference also, such as human and electrical.
4. Completely Secured:
As electricity is not involved in fiber cabling systems, tapping is not easy. Simply put, fiber optic offers significant security as compared to other networking system which heavily depends upon electricity. It is a perfect option for high quality secured internet. On top of that, there is only one-way penetration in the fiber optic system, i.e. after cutting the wire, the transmission of signal would disappear.
5. Carry Signal To Longer Distance:
Probably, the reason people are opting for fiber optic cables is it carries the signal to a very long distance i.e. approx 327 feet which is restrained by a traditional networking system. 10 Gbps signal fiber cable can transmit to more than 25 miles. Moreover, the exact distance depends upon factors such as how the wavelength is, what network is installed, and which type of cable is being used.
6. Robust And Thinner:
As compared to traditional wires, fiber optics cables are much lighter in weight and thinner. In addition to this, extreme temperature and weather can easily be pulled by fiber optic cables and it’s less vulnerable to damage and breakage.
7. Life Cycle Is Long:
Fiber optics cable is expected to stay intact for more than 30-50 years, way more than copper wires.
Here Are The Advantages Of Cat 6 Cable System –
1. Compatibility:
One of the major advantages the Cat 6 cable system offers is compatibility. This Category 6a cable has backward compatibility i.e. it can work with Cat 5e, Cat6, and in some cases Cat 3 also. Not to mention, speed may get hampered in backward compatibility according to the system it is attached to.
2. Higher Bandwidth:
The bandwidth supported by CAT6A is much higher than CAT6, almost double the bandwidth. Plus, long cables offer exceptional performance and unmatched speed.
3. Minimal Crosstalk:
Perhaps, the most renowned reason businesses opt for the CAT 6a cable system is that crosstalk is minimal. The twists in CAT 6 are much tighter, secure, and insulated as compared to CAT6. Hence, due to this reason, the extra and unwanted crosstalk are reduced whilst offering a greater degree of virtue.
So, which cable system you should opt for?
In contrast to Cat5 cable, Cat6 proffers a host of advantages. Information sharing is quick with the least crosstalk interference. However, despite being an exceptional cable network system, the fiber optics cable is the best-fitted future-ready cabling system. With each passing day more and more services are being used as wireless, the pre-requisite would be a wireless networking system that makes the internet speed lighting fast, data transfer speed up to 100 Gbps.
There are a plethora of activities that require high-speed internet such as watching 4k and 8k videos. Plus every business is gradually shifting to cloud computing and storage that demands high-speed internet. Only fiber optics cable is capable of handling the load and running the task easily.
