Fluke Networks – Will My Existing Cable Plant Support 2.5/5GBASE-T?
Driven by the NBASE-T Alliance and compatible with the NBASE-T specification, IEEE 802.3bz specifies 2.5 Gbps over 100 meters of Category 5e cabling or 5 Gbps over 100 meters of Category 6 cabling. It also includes support for 5 Gbps over Category 5e on defined use cases (extended frequencies).
2.5/5GBASE-T was primarily introduced to support 802.11ac Wi-Fi devices over the installed base of Category 5e and 6, and now that active equipment is out in the marketplace, many enterprise businesses are looking to deploy this technology and reap the benefits of faster Wi-Fi without a cabling upgrade.
But not all cabling plants are created equal, and moves, adds and changes over the years can cause physical damage that can impact performance. It’s smart to know if your existing cable plant will support 2.5/5GBASE-T before you invest in the equipment.
