[ixf]

6 is useful for non-dense high-bandwidth environments where you might need to get 10G-BASET a little further than 5e will manage, but 6 doesn't address enhanced alien crosstalk. This means in dense environments it may struggle. 6A does, via shielding, and so will work better in dense environments (where you're likely to see 10G-BT anyway).

[mcv]

Isn't shielding separate from the category? I recall seeing stuff like Cat5 FTP and Cat6 STP or some combination like that. I'm no cable expert, but from what I understand, STP means shielded and FTP has some other kind of shielding.

I think I put Cat6 STP or FTP in my home. Whichever it was, I wanted to have the best cable I could possibly find, because I don't want to have to redo this every 10 years.

[Dylan16807]

Shielding's optional for 6A so be careful where you buy if you want that.