Gigabit Ethernet
From Free net encyclopedia
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) is a term describing various technologies for implementing Ethernet networking at a nominal speed of one gigabit per second defined by the IEEE 802.3z and 802.3ab standards.
As a result of research done at Xerox Corporation in the early 1970s, Ethernet has evolved into the most widely implemented networking protocol today. Fast Ethernet increased speed from 10 to 100 megabits per second (Mbit/s). Gigabit Ethernet was the next iteration, increasing the speed to 1000 Mbit/s. The initial standard for Gigabit Ethernet (802.3z) was standardized by the IEEE in June 1998.
There are currently four different standards for Gigabit Ethernet using optical fiber, twisted pair cable, or balanced copper cable. The IEEE 802.3z standard included 1000BASE-SX and 1000BASE-LX transmission over multimode and singlemode fiber and the now obsolete 1000BASE-CX for transmission over balanced copper cabling. IEEE 802.3ab, ratified in 1999, defined Gigabit Ethernet transmission over unshielded twisted pair (UTP) category 5e and 6 cabling and became known as 1000Base-T. With the ratification of 802.3ab, Gigabit ethernet became a desktop technology as organizations could utilize their existing cabling infrastructure.
Initially, Gigabit Ethernet was deployed in high-capacity backbone network links (for instance, on a high-capacity campus network). In 2000, Apple's Power Mac G4 and PowerBook G4 featured the connection. Recently, it has become a built-in feature in many motherboards. In May 2005, the Apple iMac G5 was redesigned to include Gigabit Ethernet.
Gigabit Ethernet has recently been overtaken by 10 Gigabit Ethernet which was ratified by the IEEE in 2002 and provided data rates 10 times greater than that of Gigabit Ethernet.
See also
External links
- Making the Transition to Gigabit Ethernet - Advice on how to change your network to Gigabit Ethernet
- IEEE and Gigabit Ethernet Alliance Announce Formal Ratification of Gigabit Ethernet Over Copper Standard - Announcement from IEEE Jun 28, 1999
- Gigabit Ethernet Alliance - Page from Lancaster University about the former Gigabit Ethernet Alliance, w/ cabling detailses:Gigabit Ethernet