We've decided for now to run two Cat6A to every AP for new construction. This is because right now it is not clear if vendors are going to utilize two Gig or one 10 Gig connection for each AP to support the theoretical oversubscription of one Gig by Wave2 and beyond. One of the challenges is that cabling lifecycle is 15-20 years easily which means that there will be multiple generations of wireless running on that cable beyond even wave2. For insurance in the long term, it seems to make the most sense to invest in 6A.
We are finding that CAT6A is very expensive to install due to the higher costs for the cable and termination hardware as well as labor. In addition, the pathway requirements for the fatter cable are also much more expensive and also disruptive if it is renovation of existing construction. Not sure what CAT7 will buy you. I believe it is shielded and will mix more easily with Cat6, and is more narrow which addresses pathway concerns, but there is also the hassle of terminating on a good ground which complicates things quite a bit. Pete Morrissey From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Stewart, Joe Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 12:40 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] 802.11AC Future Infrastructure As this technology begins to be deployed is anyone out there planning ahead for wave two of this? I know it's not going to happen for a while but I'm curious if there are folks in the process of new construction where you have the option to add the infrastructure now to support the 10Gbps. If so, has there been any documentation on what cable type would be recommended for this? (ex. CAT6A or CAT7). Thanks, Joe Stewart Network Specialist I Information Systems and Network Services Claremont McKenna College 325 E. 8th Street, Roberts South #12 Claremont, CA 91711 ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
