I am installing a 10G network across my house, and I want to just upgrade all my existing cables for future proofing sake. Cat 7 doesn't seem certified yet, and many companies are putting out Cat7 cables that are subpar and slower than Cat6a according to a bunch of amazon reviews. I've looked at Cat6a as well, and every single brand has lots of performance complaints and almost no 10G reviews.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Snagless-Shielded-Ethernet/dp/B00BIPTPAM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1481211525&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+6a (Many complaints saying the cables won't even do 1G)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DU3LAWK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=AU14OGS2RVZYB&th=1 (Reviewing stating none of his 5 did 10G correctly, and the support agents response is a good laugh)

 

I can't seem to find a good solution outside of buying base cat6a wire and making the cables myself.

How long are your runs?

 

I'd look into doing fiber with SPF+ transceivers.

 

I hear http://www.fs.com/ is highly recommend for cables whether you're getting fiber or copper cables.

Yes, according to those specs you should be able to push 10G.

 

FS does have shield cables over 10m just have to select the custom page. http://www.fs.com/products/64200.html The cable matters is much cheaper, so i'd try them first.

 

 

Yes, according to those specs you should be able to push 10G.

 

FS does have shield cables over 10m just have to select the custom page. http://www.fs.com/products/64200.html The cable matters is much cheaper, so i'd try them first.

 

They want $110 to ship ~20 cables, most of which are under 15 feet and the longest is only 75 feet. That's ridiculous, they'd all fit in a tiny box.

 

For half the price I am able to get 4 times as many cables, with the same Cat6a certified spec and gauge from Amazon. I'll go with cable matters, and worse case send them back to Amazon. I was concerned about 26AWG, but even those expensive ones are 26AWG. It's weird because all my old network cables are much thicker (22-24AWG).

 

What switch do you plan to use?

 

I've used Deep Surplus in the past with good results for bulk and structured/composite cable.  I have also used Monoprice for buying the Keystone wall plates and jacks and had no issues.

I just ran Belden 2412 cat6 all throughout my 3300sq ft. home to a Leviton 24 port rack mount patch panel in my equipment/server room.

 

https://www.amazon.com/2412-006A1000-Enhanced-Category-Non-Plenum/dp/B005T5HQLM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481576245&sr=8-1&keywords=belden+2412

 

This is 350MHZ rated cable and it should be plenty good enough for 10GbE as long as you're not doing super long runs. And the good thing is, it doesn't cost a fortune....

I buy virtually all of my cables at Monoprice => they have Cat-7 at a reasonable price; and their shipping costs aren't as bad as what you noted.

 

Just for grins, I priced a box with 16 15' cables, 3 25' cables, and a 100' cable and the shipping ranged from $16 (standard -- takes ~ 5 days) to $75 (overnight).

http://www.monoprice.com/category/cables/cat7-ethernet-cables

Have you thought about running conduit instead / as well? At least a run from basement (or equip closet) to the attic for future proofing. Then you can run some fiber in the future easily.

Fiber for the future 

... definitely want to be ready for those 100Gb adapters  8)

Fiber for the future 

... definitely want to be ready for those 100Gb adapters  8)

 

WhenI first moved into my newly built house I ran 2x cat5e from the basement equip closet up through the cold air return plenum into the attic, coiled about 50ft of cable up there and then on to its final destination. I have since finished the basement (drywall ceiling) and wish I had run 2" conduit from there to the attic.

Definitely agree with conduit => it makes life OH-SO-MUCH Easier if you ever want to add or change any cable runs.

... and it's not very expensive or hard-to-do if you do it during new construction.

 

Agreed about the conduit I will have some installed. There is still time because the drywall isn't even up yet.

I have an attic over most of my 1st floor except the living room.  The living room has a vaulted/wood plank finished ceiling.  My server room is going to be in one small bedroom of the daylight basement.

Agreed about the conduit I will have some installed. There is still time because the drywall isn't even up yet.

I have an attic over most of my 1st floor except the living room.  The living room has a vaulted/wood plank finished ceiling.  My server room is going to be in one small bedroom of the daylight basement.

Sounds like possibly new construction? If so, make sure the "server room" has good airflow. A dedicated HVAC zone would be ideal, with both supply and return so it's not semi stagnant if the door is shut.

Agreed about the conduit I will have some installed. There is still time because the drywall isn't even up yet.

I have an attic over most of my 1st floor except the living room.  The living room has a vaulted/wood plank finished ceiling.  My server room is going to be in one small bedroom of the daylight basement.

Sounds like possibly new construction? If so, make sure the "server room" has good airflow. A dedicated HVAC zone would be ideal, with both supply and return so it's not semi stagnant if the door is shut.

 

Thanks, yes new construction. There is ducting (AC/Heat pump) going to each room throughout the whole home. 

Oh yeah....Also I plan on running probably 2 hdmi cables in to my server room as well. One from my main living room TV definitely, so I can run a htpc vm.

Thanks, yes new construction. There is ducting (AC/Heat pump) going to each room throughout the whole home. 

It's not the airflow TO the room that's typically the issue I see. It's how the air gets out. Does the room have its own return?

Thanks, yes new construction. There is ducting (AC/Heat pump) going to each room throughout the whole home. 

It's not the airflow TO the room that's typically the issue I see. It's how the air gets out. Does the room have its own return?

 

Yes it does.  It has both a supply and return vents.