10GBase-T 10 Gigabit Ethernet Media Standard

10GBase-T is an Ethernet Media Standard to transmit data at 10 Gbps bandwidth speed over copper twisted pair cables, allowing backward compatibility with existing 1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet.

10 Gigabit Ethernet standards are meant to transmit Ethernet signals at 10 Gbps (10,000,000,000 bits per second) speed. Originally 10 Gigabit Ethernet was designed for fibre optic backbone systems. But later, 10GBase-T became the Ethernet Media Standard for running 10 Gigabit Ethernet over copper twisted pair cables.

10GBase-T networking components (jacks, ports and cables) looks same as the previous wired Ethernet standard’s components. 10GBase-T uses copper twisted pair cables.

10GBase-T running on Cat 6 twisted pair cables has a maximum possible cable length of only 55 meters. Cable types Cat 6a and above can carry data up to 100 meters similar to previous copper twisted pair wired Ethernet standards.

Cat 6a type cables were proposed to run 10-Gigabit Ethernet over copper twisted pair cables at 100 meters distance.

Cat 6a type cables can carry data signals at frequencies up to 500 MHz running at 10 Gbps bandwidth speed. Cat6a type cables can also limit crosstalk in copper twisted pair cabling systems.

Following image shows a NIC for 10GBase-T Ethernet.