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2. CT-10G-MC series Installation
As a media convertor platform, installing CT-10G-MC series is very easy and simple: all you have to do is to
plug the proper fiber/UTP cables into CT-10G-MC series’ ports like a general Ethernet switch without any extra
configurations. However, selecting the proper physical media and applications in your network
environment is crucial when installing CT-10G-MC series. Please see the sections down below for detailed
information regarding to physical media types and CT-10G-MC series application.
2.1. Choices of UTP Cable and Optical fiber
2.1.1. 10GBASE-T (Copper Wire)
10GBASE-T, or IEEE 802.3an-2006, is a standard released in 2006 to provide 10 gigabit/second
connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables and over distances up to 100 meters (330 ft).
10GBASE-T cable infrastructure can also be used for 1000BASE-T, allowing a gradual upgrade from
1000BASE-T, and auto-negotiation to select which speed to use.
10GBASE-T Connectors
10GBASE-T uses 650 MHz versions of the venerable IEC 60603-7 8P8C (RJ-45) connectors, which is
already widely used in Ethernet.
10GBASE-T Cables
10GBASE-T works up to 55 m (180 ft) with existing Category 6 cabling. In order to allow deployment at
the usual 100 m (330 ft), the standard uses a new partitioned Category 6a cable specification, designed
to reduce crosstalk between UTP cables.
The table down below is a reference regarding to UTP cable categories.
UTP Cable Categories References
Cat 5
Provides performance of up to 100 MHz, and was frequently used on 100 Mbps Ethernet
networks. Cat 5 may not be suitable for 1000BASE-T gigabit Ethernet.
Cat 5e
Provides performance of up to 100 MHz, and is frequently used for both 100 Mbps and
Gigabit Ethernet networks.
Cat 6
Provides performance of up to 250 MHz, more than double of category 5 and 5e. It works up
to 55 m (180 ft) for 10Gbps Ethernet.
Cat 6a
Provides performance of up to 500 MHz. It is suitable for
10GBASE-T and works up to 100 m (330 ft) for 10Gbps
Ethernet. All the cables mentioned above do not have
individually- shielded pairs as the picture here, including
Cat 6a.
Cat 7
This standard specifies four individually-shielded pairs (STP) inside an overall shield.
Designed for transmission at frequencies up to 600 MHz. It has better performance than Cat
6a.
