Gigabit Ethernet Standards PDF

2.1.5 Gigabit Ethernet Standards Gigabit Ethernet builds on the standards defined for Ethernet and Fast Ethernet to implement rates of 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps). When installed using Cat 5e or better copper wire, Gigabit Ethernet is specified as 1000BASE-T. Gigabit Ethernet does not support hubs; it is im...

2.1.5 Gigabit Ethernet Standards Gigabit Ethernet builds on the standards defined for Ethernet and Fast Ethernet to implement rates of 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps). When installed using Cat 5e or better copper wire, Gigabit Ethernet is specified as 1000BASE-T. Gigabit Ethernet does not support hubs; it is implemented only using switches. The maximum distance of 100 meters (328 feet) applies to cabling between the node and a switch port, or between two switch ports. Gigabit Ethernet is the mainstream choice for new installations of access networks; that is, cabling to connect client workstations to a local network. The main decision would be whether to use copper or fiber optic cable. Fiber gives better upgrade potential in the future, while copper cable is cheaper to install and far more hosts are installed with network cards that support copper than support fiber. 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) multiplies the nominal speed of Gigabit Ethernet by a factor of 10. Because of the higher frequencies required, 10 GbE can only run at reduced distances over unshielded copper cable. Longer runs require higher categories of copper cable with some type of shielding, or the use of fiber optic cable. There are also specifications for 40 Gbps operation. Specification Cable Maximum Distance 10GBASE-T UTP (Cat 6) 55 m (180 feet) F/UTP (Cat 6A) 100 m (328 feet) S/FTP (Cat 7) 100 m (328 feet) 40GBASE-T S/FTP (Cat 8) 30 m (100 feet) 10/40 GbE Ethernet is not deployed in many access networks, as the cost of 10/40 GbE compatible network adapters and switch transceiver modules is high. It might be used where a company's business requires very high-bandwidth data transfers, such as TV and film production. It is also widely used as backbone cabling, where it  supports high-bandwidth links between switches and routers, or between appliances in a datacenter. Copyright © The Computing Technology Industry Association, Inc. All rights reserved.