Gigabit Ethernet technology revolutionizes network performance with speeds up to 1000Mbps, addressing the growing demands of modern organizations. This overview discusses the evolution of Ethernet standards, the benefits of Gigabit connectivity, and deployment strategies for both fiber and copper cabling. IT managers will find insights on overcoming common challenges and optimizing existing infrastructure. Ideal for network professionals looking to enhance bandwidth and improve server performance, this guide provides practical examples for corporate campuses and fast-growing organizations.

Key Points

  • Explains the evolution of Ethernet standards from 10Mbps to Gigabit speeds.
  • Details the benefits of Gigabit Ethernet, including increased bandwidth and reduced bottlenecks.
  • Discusses deployment strategies for both fiber and copper cabling in various organizational settings.
  • Offers solutions to common challenges faced by IT managers when implementing Gigabit technology.
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12 pages
Language:English
Type:Guide
Biology
newtopiccyclegrowin
12 pages
Language:English
Type:Guide
Biology
121
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How 1000Mbps connectivity is helping organizations
meet the need for increased network performance
Gigabit Ethernet
Technology and Solutions
Gigabit Ethernet Technology and Solutions
2
Contents
Executive Summary 2
What Is Gigabit Ethernet? 3
Standards Evolution 3
Benefits of Gigabit 4
What Is Driving the Need for Gigabit Speed? 4
Backbones and Switch Stacks 4
Greater Demands on Servers 4
The Ongoing Desktop Revolution 4
Typical Progression 6
Impact of Gigabit Over Copper 6
Gigabit to the Desktop: Is It Time? 6
Key Gigabit Over Copper Specifications 7
Solutions to the Two Most Common Challanges 7
Deployment Considerations 8
Media Selection 8
Testing Existing Cable 8
Implementation Examples 8
Corporate Campus 9
Departmental Deployment 10
Internet Service Provider 11
Fast-Growing Organization 11
Conclusion 11
For More Information 11
Executive Summary
In a scenario all too familiar to network managers, users begin complaining of
slower response times. Network management tools indicate that a high-transaction
server is hogging bandwidth in a shared domain or that server CPU utilization is not
optimal – classic bottleneck symptoms. What’s the best solution? More and more
often, IT managers are turning to Gigabit Ethernet technology.
When Gigabit Ethernet was standardized for fiber optic cabling in the late 1990s,
IT managers began to see the benefits of Gigabit speeds applied to the network
backbone and in the data center. Today, with Gigabit over copper, 1000Mbps
connectivity is being deployed even more widely – including switch stacks, servers
and desktops – using the cabling that is already in place in most buildings.
This paper provides information about Gigabit Ethernet, including the ways your
network can benefit from standard Gigabit implementations, and offers a variety of
deployment examples using fiber and/or copper cabling.
Gigabit Ethernet Technology and Solutions
What Is
Gigabit Ethernet?
Invented by Dr. Robert Metcalf and
pioneered by Intel, Digital and Xerox,
Ethernet has become the most
commonly used LAN technology
worldwide. More than 85% of all
installed network connections are
Ethernet, according to International
Data Corporation (IDC, 2000). As a
transport protocol, Ethernet operates
at Layers 1 and 2 of the 7-layer OSI
networking model, delivering its data
packets to any device connected to the
network cable.
IT managers have found that Ethernet
is simple, easy to use and readily
upgradeable. An organization can
scale from 10 to 100 or 1000Mbps
Ethernet, either network-wide or a
segment at a time, knowing that the
new equipment will be backwards
compatible with legacy equipment.
This reduces the infrastructure
investment that an organization must
make. Ethernet is also a reliable
technology. Experience shows that
it can be deployed with confidence
for mission-critical applications.
Standards Evolution
A prime reason for the success of
Ethernet is the fact that Ethernet
standards, over 25 years old, have
progressed along with networking
requirements. This progression of
standards provides a clear and
straightforward migration path
for companies as their bandwidth
requirements increase.
Gigabit Ethernet has evolved from the
original 10Mbps Ethernet standard,
10BASE-T, and the 100Mbps Fast
Ethernet standards, 100BASE-TX and
100BASE-FX. A 10-Gigabit Ethernet
standard (10,000Mbps) is being
ratified, supported by the IEEE and
the 10-Gigabit Ethernet Alliance.
In June of 1998, the IEEE adopted a
standard for Gigabit Ethernet over fiber
optic cabling, IEEE 802.3z, and its
implementation was widely supported
by networking vendors. As a result,
companies could rely on a well-
understood, standards-based approach
to improve traffic flow in congested
areas. A year later, in June of 1999,
the IEEE standardized IEEE 802.3ab
Gigabit Ethernet over copper as
1000BASE-T, allowing Gigabit
speeds to be transmitted over Cat-5
cable (Figure 1).
In general, upgrading to Gigabit
Ethernet over copper is ideal even when
budgets are tight, because it increases
performance by building on a company’s
current investment in cabling. Typically,
the network infrastructure simply
adjusts to this higher speed. No
technician re-training is needed, and
any disruption to the network is usually
minimal. What’s more, Gigabit over
copper is the most economical cabling
choice in terms of cost per Mbps.
Gigabit Ethernet is also a good choice
because it supports Quality of Service
(QoS) methods that are increasingly
important for avoiding latency
problems as voice, video and data
share the cable for Next-Generation
Networking (NGN) applications. Like
Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
supports existing traffic management
techniques that deliver Quality of
Service over Ethernet, such as IEEE
802.1p traffic prioritization and Multi
Protocol Label Switching (MPLS).
Media Acces Control (MAC)
Full Duplex/Half Duplex
Fiber Channel
Encoder/Decoder
Copper PHY
Encoder/Decoder
Singlemode
Fiber - 5Km
1000BASE-LX 1000BASE-SX 1000BASE-CX 1000BASE-T
GMII - Gigabit Media Independent Interface
(Similar to AUI)
Multimode
Fiber - 550m
Short-haul
Copper - 25m
Long-haul
Copper - 100m
Figure 1
Cahners In-Stat Group, 5/01
3
The Gigabit Ethernet Standards
IEEE 802.3z (June 1998)
IEEE 802.3ab (June 1999)
MAC
PHY
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FAQs

What are the main benefits of Gigabit Ethernet technology?
Gigabit Ethernet technology offers numerous benefits, including increased bandwidth that allows for faster data transfer rates, which is essential for modern applications. It supports full-duplex communication, effectively doubling the bandwidth available for data transmission. Additionally, Gigabit Ethernet enhances network performance by reducing bottlenecks, making it ideal for high-demand environments. The technology also provides Quality of Service (QoS) features, which help manage network traffic efficiently, ensuring smooth performance for voice and video applications.
How has Gigabit Ethernet evolved over time?
Gigabit Ethernet has evolved significantly since its inception, transitioning from the original 10Mbps Ethernet to 100Mbps Fast Ethernet and now to 1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet. The IEEE standardized Gigabit Ethernet over fiber optic cabling in 1998 and over copper cabling in 1999, making it accessible for widespread deployment. This evolution has allowed organizations to upgrade their networks without extensive rewiring, leveraging existing infrastructure while meeting increasing bandwidth demands.
What deployment strategies are recommended for Gigabit Ethernet?
Effective deployment strategies for Gigabit Ethernet include assessing existing infrastructure to determine compatibility with Cat-5 cabling, which is commonly used. Organizations should consider phased upgrades, starting with high-performance switches and gradually replacing adapters in servers and desktops. Implementing load balancing and link aggregation can further enhance network performance. Additionally, testing existing cabling for compliance with Gigabit standards ensures optimal performance.
What challenges do IT managers face when implementing Gigabit Ethernet?
IT managers often encounter challenges such as ensuring existing cabling meets Gigabit standards and avoiding server bottlenecks during deployment. Many organizations worry about the costs associated with upgrading their infrastructure. However, most existing Cat-5 installations are capable of supporting Gigabit speeds, and solutions like load balancing can help manage increased traffic effectively. Addressing these challenges is crucial for successful implementation.
What types of organizations benefit from Gigabit Ethernet?
Organizations across various sectors benefit from Gigabit Ethernet, particularly those with high data transfer needs such as corporate campuses, internet service providers, and fast-growing businesses. Departments that rely on collaborative work environments or bandwidth-intensive applications, like engineering and research, are prime candidates for Gigabit deployment. The technology supports the increasing demands for speed and efficiency in data handling.

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