When setting up or upgrading a network, it is important to consider the quality of the connection to achieve optimum performance and productivity. Choosing between Cat 6 or Cat 6A cabling, or alternatively a Wireless Access Point (WAP). This is a key decision, with each offering its own advantages, depending on your network requirements, future needs, and the desired flexibility.
In this article, we’ll explain the main points to consider to help you to make an informed decision.
Bandwidth And Speed: Cat 6 Vs. Cat 6a
If your business’s priority is raw speed and bandwidth, then the choice between Cat 6 and Cat 6A cables is crucial. Cat 6 cables are designed to handle up to 1 Gbps of data at a maximum distance of 55 metres, making them suitable for most small to medium-sized businesses where typical internet speeds and internal data transfers don’t demand a more robust service.
However, if you’re aiming for a high-performance network that’s futureproof and able to adapt to your business’s changing needs, Cat 6A is the superior option. Cat 6A cables support data speeds of up to 10 Gbps over a distance of 100 metres, offering double the bandwidth of Cat 6. This makes Cat 6A both a good choice for current needs but also to ensure that your network is able to adjust to the technological advances that demand higher bandwidth and faster data transfer speeds.
Commercial Wireless Access Points: Flexibility And Scalability
While wired solutions, such as Cat 6 and Cat 6A, provide unmatched speed and reliability, Commercial Wireless Access Points (WAPs) offer unparalleled flexibility. WAPs are ideal for environments in which agility is key, allowing businesses to easily scale their networks and adapt to changing office layouts without the hassle of re-cabling.
WAPs also cater to the growing trend of mobile and remote work. In modern offices, employees increasingly rely on laptops, tablets, and smartphones, so seamless connectivity is essential. WAPs ensure that all devices can connect whenever required to the network, without frustrating and disruptive service interruptions, ensuring that your team can work productively from any location in the office. The flexibility of WAPs can greatly enhance productivity, making them particularly suited for agile working environments in which the use of space is constantly evolving.
Embracing New Technologies
While WAPs offer exceptional flexibility and ease of scalability, they may not match the high-performance capabilities of wired connections, especially when considering future upgrades. Cat 6A cabling supports higher frequencies, making it well-suited for future network upgrades and advanced technologies, such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and high-definition video conferencing systems.
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