Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) is a term describing various technologies for implementing Ethernet networking at a nominal speed of one gigabit per second.

Related Topics:
Ethernet - Gigabit

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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). The next iteration is referred to as Gigabit Ethernet, and represents an increase in Ethernet speed another 10-fold, from 100 to 1000 Mbit/s. It was standardized in June 1998.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gigabit Ethernet is supported over both optical fiber and twisted pair cable. Physical layer standards include 1000BASE-T, 1 Gbit/s over cat-5e copper cabling and 1000BASE-SX for short to medium distances over optic fiber.

Related Topics:
Optical fiber - Twisted pair cable - 1000BASE-T - Cat-5e - 1000BASE-SX

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While it is currently deployed in high-capacity backbone network links (for instance, on a high-capacity campus network) its speed is largely not yet required for small network installations. Gigabit Ethernet had begun to penetrate the desktop (as of 2000), shipping standard on Apple's Power Mac G4, the notebook (Apple's PowerBook G4), and is built into many high-end Pentium and Athlon motherboards. In May 2005, the Apple iMac G5 was redesigned to include Gigabit Ethernet. Desktop applications for it include professional video editing.

Related Topics:
Backbone - As of 2000 - Apple's - Power Mac G4 - PowerBook G4 - Pentium - Athlon - May - 2005 - IMac G5

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gigabit Ethernet is no longer the fastest Ethernet standard, with the ratification of 10 Gigabit Ethernet in 2002.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~