Nippon Labs Cat8 Weatherproof Ethernet Cable, Red 24AWG S/FTP, 40Gbps 2000MHz RJ45

A 24AWG S/FTP Cat8 patch cable in red, rated for 40Gbps at 2000MHz with gold-plated RJ45 connectors on both ends. Red is the usual way to mark links you do not want unplugged, such as uplinks and storage fabric, so it earns its place on the runs that hurt most when they go down. The weatherproof outer jacket is what separates it from the indoor Cat8 range, so this is the version to use when the run goes outside or through an exposed space.

Specifications

• Category: Cat8
• Conductor gauge: 24AWG
• Conductor material: pure copper core
• Shielding: S/FTP, individually shielded pairs plus an overall shield, using aluminum foil and a woven mesh braid
• Bandwidth: 2000MHz (2GHz)
• Maximum data rate: 40Gbps
• Supported standards: 25GBASE-T and 40GBASE-T
• Connectors: two gold-plated RJ45
• Jacket: weatherproof PVC outer cover
• Rating: UL rated
• Backward compatibility: Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and Cat7 cabling and equipment
• Jacket colour: Red
• Lengths available: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 50 ft

Good for

• Running a link from the main building out to a detached garage, shed or workshop
• Feeding a rooftop or exterior mounted IP camera where the cable sits in the open
• An exposed uplink or storage fabric link that nobody should unplug by mistake

FAQ

Do I actually need Cat8? Cat8 is built for 25 and 40 Gigabit over short runs, up to 30 meters, which in practice means switch to switch and switch to server links inside a rack or a small equipment room. For ordinary Gigabit or 10 Gigabit runs across a building, Cat6 or Cat6A is the right choice and costs less.

Will it work with my existing gear? Yes. Cat8 uses the same RJ45 connector and is backward compatible, so it runs at whatever speed your router, switch or console supports. You will not see 40 Gigabit unless both ends have 40 Gigabit ports.

Does the colour affect performance? No. Every colour is the same cable inside. Colour is only for tracing and organising runs.

Is this pure copper or copper clad aluminum? Pure copper. The conductors are a pure copper core, which is what a 25GBASE-T or 40GBASE-T link needs on a critical uplink.