The Tech Report – Cat5e and Cat6 cables get a 5Gbps speed boost
Gigabit Ethernet is ubiquitous. If you work in corporate IT, chances are you service at least one site wired with Category 5e or Category 6 cabling running 1000BASE-T. However, as networks expand and add new services, Gigabit Ethernet may start to feel a little congested. Adding or replacing cabling is an expensive proposition, but never fear: the IEEE has just ratified proposal 802.3bz-2016, which lays out the new 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T specifications. The new specs define a method for delivering 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps over existing Cat5e and Cat6 cables.
