The 10 Gb/s Ethernet standard (10GBASE-T) has been approved and is released. It is important to note that carefully installed Cat 6 or Class E cabling systems may well meet the transmission requirements to support 10GBASE-T with limitations for the channel length. The Fluke Networks' DTX-1800 CableAnalyzer allows the user to verify the performance of the link parameters (in-channel test parameters). In addition, the 10GBASE-T standard specifies that the coupling between cables in the same bundle or pathway needs to be measured and evaluated (between-channel test parameters or AXTalk certification).

Fluke Networks offers two accessory kits for the DTX-1800 - the DTX-10GKIT and the DTX-AXKIT - that provide the test solution to measure and evaluate the AXTalk performance of installed cabling. AXTalk does not require a 100% test of all possible link interactions. The test procedure may be limited to links that are bundled together. This paper covers a recommended sampling procedure to select and test links such that a very high degree of confidence is established that the cabling plant complies with the AXTalk performance requirements.