Definition: CAT6 is an Ethernet cable standard defined by the Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association (commonly known as EIA/TIA). CAT6 is the 6th generation of twisted pair Ethernet cabling.
CAT6 cable contains four pairs of copper wire and unlike CAT5, utilizes all four pairs. CAT6 supports Gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet and supports communications at more than twice the speed of CAT5e, the other popular standard for Gigabit Ethernet cabling.
As with all other types of twisted pair EIA/TIA cabling, CAT6 cable runs are limited to a maximum recommended run rate of 100m (328 feet).
Twisted pair cable like CAT6 comes in two main varieties, solid and stranded. Solid CAT6 cable supports longer runs and works best in fixed wiring configurations like office buildings. Stranded CAT6 cable, on the other hand, is more pliable and better suited for shorter-distance, movable cabling such as "patch" cables.
CAT6 comes at a significantly higher price tag than CAT5 or CAT5e, and today's applications simply can't take advantage of CAT6's better performance. However, if wiring a home or building for the long term, one may still consider using CAT6.