 Can cat 6 run gigabit ethernet? Cat 6 cabling is capable of gigabit ethernet up to 90 meters for a permanent link. This is from patch panel to module. Furthermore 5 meters patch leads can be used at each end. In addition a 100 meters direct link is allowed. Can cat 6 run 10 gigabit ethernet? Following structured cabling standards cat 6 is not ratified for 10 gigabit transmission speeds. However this is based on the standard 90 meters limit. However in some cases it is capable of achieving 10 gigabit ethernet up to 55 meters. This is however not part of the cabling standards so when designing a new installation a 10 gigabit ethernet requirement should be installed in cat 6a and above.