sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring F/UTP

Got the latest issue of Cableing Istallation and Maintenance. There is an article about F/UTP. From what I read a new sort of Shieled Twisted Pair. Much more user friendly than the old STP and actually smaller than 6 or 6A.
We are building a new data center. It has been assumed by my boss that we would use Cat5e, like we have now in the current data center. This article gives me reason to pause. I think we should go past 5e.
6, 6A, or F/UTP? THAT, is the question. And YOU, my friends must help me decide!

Richard

I would look at the price difference between Cat6a and shielded or screened Cat6. If you want to future proof and guarantee 10Gig speeds, I would do better than just regular Cat6. How much better you do may depend on the price.

Is this just for cabling within the data center, or would this be out to the work area as well?

With-in the data center.

Hi Mr. Morris. That was a great article in CI&M magazine and my conclusion from reading it, was that running a shielded CAT6A would save a lot of time and expense in the testing phase of installation. CAT6 UTP can go 55 meters @10 gigabits per second. CAT6A UTP can go 100 meters @10 gigabits per second, but the "enemy" is alien crosstalk which is virtually eliminated with a shielded cable. When you test a CAT6A UTP cable for alien crosstalk, you have to test all the adjacent cables to make sure they are not affecting your original cable. You need the latest Level IV? tester and there is an elaborate procedure that must be followed which is time-consuming. When placing CAT6A UTP cables, zip-ties and tight bundles are discouraged. This article changed my perception of the CAT6A process and running shielded CAT6A seemed like a no-brainer for any future installations of 6A that I do. That is why I really enjoy CI&M. I have known the editor, Patrick McLaughlin since I wrote an article for the October 2000 issue and was also on the cover - (my 15 minutes of fame). https://cim.pennnet.com/articles/ar...S=dimensional%20fund%20advisors&p=27

here's the cover - from October 2000 - https://www.bfdatacom.com/images/cblcoveb.jpg

Bill,
You're confirming what I thought. Looks like a no-brainer. I'm contact the Tyco rep in our area and have him give me some info, and a free lunch of course...
I printed your article and will read it over the weekend.

Thanks
Richard