hdmi 2.1
hdmi 2.1
HDMI 2.1 offers impressive speeds, but it’s designed for video transmission rather than data transfer. Ethernet cables are built for high-speed networking, and using HDMI bandwidth for data would be inefficient. Additionally, HDMI has better resistance to interference compared to Ethernet, making it more suitable for clear signal delivery. In the server world, where bandwidth is critical, people focus on technologies specifically optimized for data, not video formats.
Fiber optic is used in about 99% of data center setups. Copper Cat6 or Cat8 connections are typically for speeds under 10Gbps, while Cat8 supports 25Gbps or 40Gbps depending on the model, but no devices currently use it and it’s unlikely to appear soon. Fiber generally covers most needs, with some copper Twinax at specific lengths (0.5/1/3/5/7 meters) for other applications. Twinax is inexpensive but offers fixed speeds; upgrading requires replacing the entire cable. For fiber, simply swap the QSFP modules to adjust speed without changing cables. Excluding fixed-length Twinax, it can handle 400Gbps at 7-10 meters today, and fiber can span thousands of kilometers at higher speeds. Copper RJ45 supports up to 100 meters but is largely obsolete for data centers requiring 25Gbps or more.