All You Need To Know About Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet is becoming increasingly well accepted as networked professionals A/V applications need bigger bandwidths. We are always pushing the limits of networking technology because of this. In this article, you'll learn the details behind this helpful technology.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standardizes the gigabit Ethernet or GigE. It is described in a single standard, IEEE std. 802.3-2005. Prior to 2005, GigE was described in two separate standards. The first standard, 802.3z, described the upper layers (media access control and conding) of GigE, in addition to its three physical interfaces - a shielded copper wire (not compatible with existing 10Base-T and 100Base-T) and two fiber interfaces. This standard was finished in 1995. The second standard, 802.3ab, described the coding and physical layer for 1000Base-T, which is compatible with 10Base-T and 100Base-T.

1000Base-X fiber technology introduced the gigabit interface converter or GBIC. The GBIC, an optical-to-electrical interface, plugs back into the back of a switch or device. There are different GBICs that support varied kinds of fiber, laser frequency and fiber modes. You can replace only the GBIC of your fiber-based equipment when you want to repurpose the switch.

Compared to previous Ethernet implementations, 1000Base-T requires more complicated signal coding. Using phase amplitude modulation, five signal levels are coded. And as with fast Ethernet, GigE over UTP supports half and full duplex modes. Duplexing gives 2 GB over overall bandwidth across the link, 1 GB in each direction, and eliminates the requirement for any collision detection and handling circuitry.

You should consider whether you will stick with UTP copper wiring or convert to fiber networking when using your GigE. Fiber has a lot more advantages, unlike UTP. You information can travel farther with fiber, and you can get more fiber in a limited space. Also, it looks like that some fiber types will be compatible with speeds beyond 10GigE, unlike UTP that doesn't even work with 10GigE. But the most important thing about fiber is it gives electrical isolation between interconnected devices. This can be helpful in situations where lighting or high RF fields make copper an undesirable interconnection medium.

As we have already touched on 10GigE, let's discuss a little more about it. Work is well in progress on a new standard that will deliver 10GB/s connectivity. 10GigE does not only provide high speeds, but also travels long distances - up to 40km over fiber optic cables. It seems like the search for a faster and more efficient networking speed would never end anytime soon.

When you order your next GigE or gigabit converter, you have already known your device a little better. You would even like to have the 10GigE; but for now, content yourself with the existing available gigabit Ethernet. Al least you will be sure that what you need is a 1000base GBIC and not a 100Base-T.

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About the author

Rahim Bidgoli is a honored writer for various technical industry authorities. He has spent the better part of her last 5 years announcing events, statistics, strategies, and other news. Bidgoli has been accredited globally with degrees from multiple countries. He speaks 3 languages and also has a strong finance background. Bidgoli is expected to play a big part in the technical infrastructure and urbanization journalism for years to come.

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