Gigabit Ethernet is a high-speed networking technology that can transmit data up to 1 Gbps using fiber optic or copper cables. It was introduced in 1998 and updated in 1999 to include copper twisted-pair standards. There are four IEEE Gigabit standards for fiber-based Ethernet, and some devices offer flexibility with a Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC). Gigabit technology has evolved to include even higher data rates like 10, 40, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet.
Gigabit Ethernet is a networking technology for exchanging data at speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps). Different types of fiber optic and copper cables can be used to connect these devices. Specific lasers and single-mode optical cables can transmit high-speed data for miles (kilometers) over a single cable. Gigabit Ethernet is often used by servers to connect to routers, switches and storage networks. It is also often used for high-speed inter-building connections on corporate campuses.
In 1998, Gigabit Ethernet was introduced to provide device bandwidths in excess of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) Fast Ethernet. Originally an optical-only technology, it was updated in 1999 to include the 1000BASE-T copper twisted-pair standard. This allows Gigabit devices to be used with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Category 5 (CAT) 100 cabling. Many Gigabit routers, switches, and NICs can automatically negotiate connection speeds. Gigabit devices can use this feature to operate with slower 10 Mbps or XNUMX Mbps interfaces instead of replacing existing infrastructure.
Most of the standards for Gigabit Ethernet devices were developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The 1000BASE-T standard created by the IEEE uses all four copper twisted pairs in CAT 5 or higher cable. Around the same time, a competing standard was designed by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). Called 1000BASE-TX, this less popular specification uses only two twisted pairs but requires CAT 6 or better cable. Some vendor confusion and marketing has led to some 1000BASE-T devices being incorrectly promoted as 1000BASE-TX.
The 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-TX standards can both use cable lengths up to 328 feet (100 meters). An earlier unpopular copper specification called 1000BASE-CX uses balanced and shielded cable. Its twisted-pair design limits cable length to 82 feet (25 meters).
There are four IEEE Gigabit standards for fiber-based Ethernet. 1000BASE-SX can communicate with multimode fiber for 721 to 1,804 feet (220 to 550 meters). 1000BASE-LX can use multimode fiber up to 1,804 meters (550 feet) or single-mode fiber up to 3.1 kilometers (5 miles). 1000BASE-LX10 and 1000BASE-BX10 can use single-mode fiber with 1,310 to 1,490 nanometer lasers for up to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). An informal standard called 1000BASE-ZX can reach up to 43 miles (70 kilometers) with single-mode fiber and a 1,550-nanometer laser.
Some Gigabit network adapters offer great flexibility by allowing you to connect a Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC). It is a hot-pluggable device with a network transceiver and a specific cable interface for a particular 1 Gbps technology. GBICs exist for several Fiber Channel technologies, as well as for copper and optical Gigabit Ethernet. Using a GBIC-based network card, a technician can replace a link without shutting down or reconfiguring a running system. A copper Gigabit Ethernet GBIC could be unplugged from a network adapter and replaced with a 1 Gbps Fiber Channel GBIC, for example.
During the 2000s Gigabit technology evolved to include even higher data rates. 10 Gigabit Ethernet was first introduced in 2002. Work began on standards for 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet in 2007, which were eventually approved by the IEEE in 2010. These technologies usually require cable upgrades from existing infrastructure at 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps to accommodate higher speeds.
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