FS Cat7 vs Cat8 Bulk Ethernet Cable: Which One Should You Choose

Imagine this: you need to install cables for your home or data center and consider using bulk Ethernet cables. However, the variety of cables available on the market is overwhelming, with options like Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8. This raises the question: which one should you choose? To answer this question, it's essential to understand the features and differences of these cables.

Cat7 and Cat8 Bulk Ethernet Cable Introduction

FS offers high-quality Cat7 and Cat8 bulk Ethernet cables suitable for various network environments. Understanding each type's key characteristics and benefits is essential for selecting the suitable cable.

Cat7 Bulk Cable: Advancing Towards High-Speed Connectivity

The Cat7 bulk cable, with its high frequency of 600 MHz and a transmission rate of 10 Gbps, signifies a significant advancement towards high-speed networking. It utilizes tighter pair twisting and multi-layer shielding technology to effectively reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic interference, making it suitable for short-distance high-speed data transmission.

Although the Cat7 has not become a mainstream standard, its technical features position it well for specific scenarios that demand high-speed transmission and high bandwidth, such as video conferencing, streaming media broadcasting, voice-over IP, grid computing, and storage network environments.

Related article: An Overview of Cat7 Ethernet Cables

Cat8 Bulk Cable: The True Successor to Cat6a Ethernet Cable

The Cat8 bulk cable, as the direct successor to Cat6a, offers enhanced performance and more comprehensive shielding. It supports transmission rates up to 40 Gbps with a frequency of 2000 MHz, representing the current highest standard for Ethernet cables.

The design of the Cat8 meets the future network's demands for even higher speeds and stronger anti-interference capabilities, making it suitable for cloud services, high-speed data transmission, and the latest network architectures. It is the ideal choice for building the networks of the future.

Related article: Cat8 Cable for 25G/40GBASE-T Network

Differences Between FS Cat7 and Cat8 Bulk Cables

Understanding the differences between Cat7 and Cat8 bulk cables is crucial for making an informed decision. Below, we compare their key attributes to help you choose the cable that is suitable for your needs.

Attribute	FS Cat7 Bulk Cable	FS Cat8 Bulk Cable
Frequency	1000MHz	2000MHz
Maximum Data Rate	10Gbps	25G/40Gbps
Maximum Distance	100m (328ft)	30m (98ft)
Shielding Type	Shielded (S/FTP)	Shielded (S/FTP)
Gauge (AWG)	23AWG	23AWG
Backward Compatibility	YES	YES
Price	More expensive than the previous version	High

Application Scenarios of FS Cat7 and Cat8 Bulk Cable

Cat7 Bulk Cable for Industrial and Outdoor Environments

FS Cat7 bulk network cables are widely used in industries requiring high-performance networking and data transfer.

Initially developed for large industrial Ethernet networks, FS Cat7 bulk cables are designed to withstand environmental and mechanical hazards like UV exposure, moisture, temperature extremes, oils, and chemicals. This makes them ideal for robust outdoor applications, such as railway systems.

Additionally, FS Cat7 bulk Ethernet cables are increasingly popular in cabling smart homes , supporting LANs and extensive gaming setups.

Cat8 Bulk Cable for Enterprise and Data Center

FS Cat8 bulk network cables can transmit 2 billion signals per second and are commonly used in data centers for switch-to-switch communications. They are also frequently used in commercial environments such as schools, hospitals, and large enterprises where high-quality data transmission is essential.

FS Cat8 bulk network cables are an ideal connectivity solution for copper-based data center cabling. They can be used to connect switches and printers, IP phones, security cameras, and wireless access points.

Cat7 vs Cat8 Bulk Ethernet Cable: Which One Should You Use?

When considering a choice between Cat7 and Cat8 bulk network cables, it is crucial to assess your specific networking needs and use cases. Cat7 bulk cables offer excellent network performance and are backward compatible with traditional Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a Ethernet, which is typically sufficient for everyday networking tasks. However, when there is a demand for even higher performance and lower latency, Cat8 bulk cable becomes an enticing option. Here is a more detailed exploration of the factors to consider:

Performance and Speed

Cat8 bulk cables offer superior network performance with up to 40Gbps data transfer rates and a 2000MHz bandwidth, making them ideal for high-speed, high-traffic environments like data centers. On the other hand, Cat7 bulk cables provide robust performance with data rates up to 10Gbps and a 1000MHz bandwidth, suitable for most residential and business uses, providing reliable and efficient networking for high-definition streaming and gaming.

Length of Cable Runs

For networking or Ethernet connections that are no longer than 30 meters, Cat8 bulk cable always performs better due to its 2GHz bandwidth and 40 Gbps data transfer speed. Cat8 bulk cables are preferred for data centers and nearby networks dealing with high traffic.

For anything over 30 meters that twisted pair shielding is needed for important conference calls and video/music editing, Cat7 bulk cable is a wise choice. It still achieves 10 Gbps at 1000 MHz, giving users plenty of room to utilize their gigabit internet packages or business broadband deals.

Budget and Cost

Cat8 bulk cables are generally more expensive than Cat7 bulk cables due to their higher performance and speed. Cat8 bulk cable would be the ideal choice if cost were not a concern. It has better resistance to interference and cross-talk and offers faster data transmission speeds than Cat7 bulk cable.

If cost is a significant factor, Cat7 bulk cables may be a more economical choice, allowing businesses and homes to upgrade their networks affordably while still achieving reliable and high-quality performance.

How FS Cat7 and Cat8 Bulk Cables Suit Your Demands?

FS not only offers high-quality Cat7 and Cat8 bulk Ethernet cables but also ensures that customers receive significant benefits from their investment. If you are looking for reliable and high-performance Cat7 and Cat8 bulk cables for your data center or home network, you can find what you need at FS.

Enhanced Reliability: FS Cat7 and Cat8 bulk cables feature S/FTP (Shielded and Foiled with Unshielded Twisted Pairs) shielding, making them less susceptible to RFI/EMI in noisy environments. These cables have undergone a series of quality certifications, including ISO27001, ISO45001, ISO9001, ISO4001, REACH, and RoHS. Our copper bulk cables have passed rigorous testing with a Fluke DSX-8000 Versiv Cable Analyzer, ensuring reliability and durability for reduced network failures and maintenance costs.

Future-Proofing: With FS Cat7 and Cat8 bulk cables, customers are future-proofing their networks to handle upcoming technological advancements, ensuring long-term viability and reducing the need for frequent upgrades.

Comprehensive Support: FS provides exceptional customer support and expertise to help clients choose the right cables and optimize their network performance, offering peace of mind and maximizing their investment.

FAQs From Customers Helping You Know Cat8 Bulk Cable Better

As the latest category of Ethernet cable to hit the market, Cat8 cable may still be unfamiliar to many customers. Below are some frequently asked questions from other customers about the practical application of Cat8 bulk cables, which might help you to better understand Cat8 category cables.

Q1: Can I plug a Cat8 cable into a Cat6 jack?

A: Indeed, it is possible to connect a Cat8 cable to a Cat6 outlet. The connection will be physically compatible, but the maximum capability of the Cat6 outlet, which is 10 Gbps, will restrict the actual data transfer rate. Despite the Cat8 cable's capacity to handle up to 100 Gbps, the Cat6 port will limit performance to its maximum speed.

Q2: Is Cat8 bulk cable the Optimal Choice for Cabling?

A: Cat8 bulk cable would be the ideal choice if cost were not a concern. It has better resistance to interference and cross-talk and offers faster data transmission speeds than Cat6 and Cat6a bulk cable. Cat8 bulk copper cables can be found in data centers where quality and transmission rates matter and where operations typically involve quick loading and operations on large files. Cat8 bulk Ethernet cables are expected to replace Cat6 and Cat7 bulk Ethernet cables eventually and is compatible with current hardware.

Q3: Is it worth upgrading from Cat6 to Cat8 bulk cables?

A: Upgrading to Cat8 cables is worth considering if you need to future-proof your network for higher speeds and greater bandwidth, especially in environments with high data traffic, like data centers. For typical home or small business networks, Cat7 or Cat6a bulk cable might be sufficient.

Q4: Are Cat8 bulk Ethernet cables suitable for households?

A: Although this cabling system can accommodate high-speed data transmissions within data centers, no one stops you from future-proofing your home network. However, it is essential to note that these cables can be more rigid than usual, making it more complicated to install and terminate.

Conclusion

FS's Cat7 and Cat8 bulk Ethernet cables offer reliable home and commercial network installation solutions. Cat7 bulk cables are ideal for environments that require long cable runs and high durability, making them perfect for industrial settings and advanced home networks. On the other hand, Cat8 bulk cables are the go-to choice for data centers and high-performance commercial environments, thanks to their superior speed and bandwidth capabilities. You can select the product that best suits your needs based on your specific requirements and budget.