UTP Cat.

8
Martín González
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Quito, Ecuador.
mgonzalezy@est.ups.edu.ec
The objective of UTP Category 8 cable is to try to impose
The network cable, or UTP cable, is a very important on fiber optic systems in data centers, since copper-based
element in our days when we need to mount a network of systems have a lower price, higher port density, and easier
computers, whether it is used for a small business or for use maintenance compared to optical fiber .
in our home.
One of the most important advantages of UTP 8 is the
The UTP cable has features such as: low cost, and easy compatibility since it will allow to carry out a more efficient
installation. UTP cable has a disadvantage that is too sensitive and less complex transition with the previous versions, for the
to magnetic interference when used for sending and receiving reason that it uses the same RJ45 connector standardized for
data at high speeds. For such reason in the installations where more than 20 years. Which is the most used connector in the
it needs accuracy, speed and stability, it is not so interfaces and in the wiring.
recommended.
To increase the number of switches and servers in data
There is some uncertainty about the Category 8 standard centers efficiently, the bandwidth used by Category 8 can
for reasons such as the development of the latest state-of-the- automatically vary to lower speeds so that you do not have to
art cabling standards and network electronics. completely change equipment.

For this reason the IEEE has established 802.3bq to High-speed (10G +) port gains are growing steadily and
define the performance requirements and then develop the are projected to double to $ 42 billion by 2017 [3].
specifications for the latest generation BASE-T standard,
which is called 40GBASE-T.

40GBASE-T multiplies by four the bandwidth specified

for the UTP cable, thus giving a significant increase to
previously used bandwidth, to quadruple the previous
maximum data transport rate of the BASE-T.

Fig. 2. The figure shows the different UTP Categories 8. Figure

(Left):Cat.8.1/ Cat. 8. Ffigure (Right): Cat. 8.2.

REFERENCES

[1] CCategory 8 Questions Answered. (2017). Cablinginstall.com.

Retrieved 26 October 2017, from
Fig. 1. The figure shows the twisted pair cable´s evolution since Category http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-23/issue-
5e.. The figure shows the name, frecuency, speed and numbers of conectors 10/features/data-center/category-8-questions-answered.html.
of each standar.
[2] Optical And Microwave Technologies For Telecommunication
UTP Cat. 8 Networks". 2017. pp. 394.

Category 8 is the latest UTP copper cabling specification, [3] Press Releases - IHS Technology. (2017). Technology.ihs.com.
Retrieved 26 October 2017, from
which provides two pairs of conductors that achieve https://technology.ihs.com/AboutUs/PressReleases.
maximum signal speeds at 2GHz. For this new
implementation of Category 8 cabling infrastructure, it was
designed to support short distances of about 30 meters
maximum, so they can only be used in data centers For UTP
only40 Gb/sover 30 m. and UTP Cat. 8 [2].

Category 8 is also unique in that the ISO standard will

recognize two different classes of product [1]. Class I is based
on the traditional RJ45 connector, and Class II will accept
non-RJ45.