A network administrator is tasked with upgrading the cabling of a corporate network to support a new 10GBase-T installation in a cost-effective manner. The current infrastructure uses CAT5e cables. Which type of cable should the administrator select to ensure compatibility with 10GBase-T specifications and optimal network performance over standard infrastructure distances?
CAT6a (Augmented Category 6) cables are designed to support 10 Gbps speeds up to a 100-meter channel length, which makes them the standard and most suitable choice for a 10GBase-T network deployment. CAT5e, although capable of 1 Gbps speeds, does not officially support 10 Gbps for 10GBase-T, except for very short, non-standard distances. CAT7 cables are capable of 10 Gbps speeds but are more expensive, have stricter installation requirements, and are generally considered overkill for standard 10GBase-T deployments, making CAT6a a more cost-effective option. CAT3 is an obsolete standard primarily used for telephone installations and supports much lower data speeds, making it unsuitable for modern Ethernet networks.
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