Which category of Ethernet cable supports a data rate of 10 Gbps?

The category of Ethernet cable that supports a data rate of 10 Gbps is Cat 6a. This type of cable is specifically designed to handle higher frequencies and is capable of transmitting data at 10 Gbps over distances up to 100 meters. Cat 6a achieves this by using enhanced shielding techniques to minimize crosstalk and interference, allowing for better performance in high-speed networking environments.

Cat 6 can support up to 10 Gbps as well, but only up to a maximum distance of 55 meters, which limits its practical use for many installations. On the other hand, Cat 5 is not suitable for 10 Gbps transmission, as it is only designed for lower speeds, typically up to 1 Gbps. Although Cat 7 does support 10 Gbps, it is often not the standard choice for most applications compared to the more commonly used Cat 6a in the same performance category.