Realtek itself has demonstrated its RTL8127 NIC working with an unknown switch using cheap CAT5E cables, and the company’s representatives at the booth emphasised this fact. However, we do not know which switch or router the company used. Yet, most 10GbE routers and switches are designed for CAT6 cabling.
Funny update about the cabling they used during the demo. There’s really no reason Cat 5e couldn’t work for short enough distances with little interference. It’s more about the guaranteed minimum distance you can get, 55m with Cat 6 and the full 100m for any rating beyond that.
Great to (maybe) see 10GbE coming and the initial price sounds reasonable compared to currently avaipable 2.5G and 5G Realtek adapters.
Apparently Linux 6.16 will have the driver included.
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.16-Realtek-RTL8127A
Funny update about the cabling they used during the demo. There’s really no reason Cat 5e couldn’t work for short enough distances with little interference. It’s more about the guaranteed minimum distance you can get, 55m with Cat 6 and the full 100m for any rating beyond that.