een superseded by Category 5e. Category 5e Supports 1Gbps speeds at distances of 100 meters (328 feet). Higher speeds are attainable because the cabling and connectors are manu- factured to higher standards. There are more twists per inch in the cabling than that specified for Category 5. Category 6 Supports 1Gbps speeds at 100 meters (328 feet). At shorter distances, it handles 10Gbps speeds. A higher twist rate, heavier cabling, and a metallic screen around the entire cable protect it from ambient noise. Insulation material (usually plastic strips) is placed between each of the four pairs to reduce crosstalk between the wires, as shown in Figure 1-8. Category 6a (augmented) Supports 10Gbps Ethernet transmissions of up to 55 meters (180 feet). This is possible because the stricter standards result in less cross talk between adjacent cables. Lower speeds are supported for up to 100 meters (330 feet). Category 7 Supports 10Gbps speeds of up to 100 meters (330 feet). High performance at longer distances is possible because there is shielding around each pair of wires and an overall metal foil shield around the entire cable. It Plastic separators to reduce crosstalk Heavy-gauge, twisted-pair cables Cable jacket with metallic screen surrounding four pairs of cabling Figure 1-8 A cross section of a Category 6 cable and a photograph of UTP four-pair data cables with connectors. Computing and Enabling Technologies must be installed with different components and connectors than for Catego- ries 5 through 6a to accommodate this shielding. It can also be installed with the same type of connectors specified in earlier standards; however, it will not transmit 10Gbps traffic as far as the 100 meters (330 feet) achieved with the appropriate connectors. Fiber-Optic Cabling in Commercial Organizations Because fiber is nonelectric, it can be run in areas without regard to interference from electrical equipment. This is the main reason fiber transmits signals farther than copper before fading. Signals are transmitted along the fib