Nowadays, many manufacturers can provide Ethernet cables of various lengths for users to choose from. So, for different application scenarios (such as data centers, enterprises, etc.), which length of Ethernet cable is most suitable? This article will guide you on how to choose the right length of Ethernet cable for your application.
What is an Ethernet Cable? An Ethernet cable is composed of four pairs of twisted wires, usually terminated with RJ45 connectors, and can be plugged into the Ethernet ports of computers, switches, and servers for network transmission. Currently, although fiber optic patch cables occupy a large share in data center deployments (especially in backbone network applications), Ethernet cables, due to their low cost and ease of installation, are still an indispensable part of data centers. Especially in voice transmission, wireless access, POE power supply, and other special applications, fiber optics cannot replace copper cables. Nowadays, Ethernet cables are very commonly used in homes and businesses, including Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8 Ethernet cables, among which short Ethernet cables are the most widely used and are considered the most economical and efficient cabling solution for data centers.
Which Length of Ethernet Cable to Choose? As we all know, the transmission distance of Ethernet cables is limited. The longer the transmission distance, the greater the signal attenuation and the slower the transmission speed. In theory, it can only transmit up to 100 meters. Therefore, we should choose different lengths of Ethernet cables according to different application environments, as shown below:
Home and Business For regular home and business applications, the network link generally does not exceed 60 meters, so a regular Ethernet cable with an RJ45 connector (such as Cat6, and Cat7 Ethernet patch cable) can be chosen. If the link is longer (such as deployed inside a wall or above a ceiling), a long Ethernet cable should be chosen, such as a box-packed engineering Ethernet cable (usually sold in rolls of several hundred meters). The figure below shows a typical deployment scenario of Ethernet cables in small and medium-sized businesses, which are often used to connect switches and computers, printers, and telephones, etc.
Data Center In the integrated cabling of data centers, Ethernet cables are usually used for cross-connections between adjacent cabinets or interconnections within the same cabinet. Since the distance between device ports is relatively close, a short (probably no more than 5 meters) Ethernet cable can be chosen. As shown in the figure below, in data centers, a Cat6 network patch cable of about two meters is usually used to connect the patch panel and switch in the same cabinet, and for cross-connections between adjacent two cabinets, a shorter Cat6a pre-terminated trunk cable can be used for quick installation. Compared with long Ethernet cables, short Ethernet cables are not only cheaper but also easier to install and maintain, making them very suitable for high-density cabling.
