Which Ethernet standard is associated with Cat 6 and Cat 6a cables?

The association between Cat 6 and Cat 6a cables and the Ethernet standard is accurately highlighted by 10GBase-T. This standard allows for 10 Gigabit Ethernet transmission over twisted pair cabling, specifically designed to work effectively with Cat 6 and Cat 6a cables.

Cat 6 cables can support 10GBase-T up to a range of 55 meters, while Cat 6a cables enhance this capability, supporting 10GBase-T for up to 100 meters. This makes them suitable for high-bandwidth applications in modern networking environments. The development of 10GBase-T was a significant advancement as it allowed for significantly higher speeds without the need for fiber optics in many scenarios, providing both cost-effectiveness and practical installation in existing infrastructure.

In contrast, the other options refer to standards that operate at lower speeds. 100Base-T is designed for 100 Mbps, while 1GBase-T (which is essentially Gigabit Ethernet) operates at 1 Gbps. Neither of these standards utilizes the advanced specifications and capabilities that Cat 6 and Cat 6a provide for supporting 10 Gbps transmission, making 10GBase-T the correct choice in this context.