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40Gbps 'copper cabling' Ethernet one step closer to becoming reality

Prototype Category 8 RJ-45 connectors and copper twisted pair cables were used in a proof-of-concept demonstration of the technology to an IEEE study group.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

The dream of one day being able to make use of 40Gbps Ethernet for enterprise networks cmes one step closer to being reality as infrastructure solutions leader CommScope successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of Category 8 cabling for enterprise networks.

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The proof-of-concept demonstration made use of prototype Category 8 RJ-45 connectors and copper twisted pair cables, all designed in CommScope's lab. The demonstration took place at the recent International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 NGBASE-T study group meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

A paper detailing Category 8 cabling is available for download from the IEEE.

"This contribution highlights CommScope’s commitment and continued leadership to bring next generation copper cabling and connectivity solutions to market," said Richard Mei, director of transmission solutions, CommScope in a statement to ZDNet. "We believe this demonstrated solution shows the real market potential for customers to eventually take advantage of 40G transmission rates over copper twisted-pair based media with cable and connector types they are familiar with today."

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(Credit: CommScope)

10GBASE-T, a standard that has been around since 2006, allows for 10Gbps connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables, over distances up to 100 meters. Bumping this up to 40Gbps over twisted copper pairs would be welcomed at data center as well as in commercial buildings as the amount of data enterprise users want to push over cables increases.

"We will continue to work with customers to help deploy appropriate solutions for the continued emergence of 10GBASE-T applications," said Mei. "When a 40G cabling solution does become market ready and available, they will have the right infrastructure to provide a sensible migration path."

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