Ethernet over Copper, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet

Ethernet over Copper

Also known as EoC, Ethernet over Copper is an Ethernet Wide Area Network connection that links multiple business locations to deliver a high - speed dedicated Internet connection. As its name suggests, copper wires are used to transmit data via the Internet to different computers.

Although the technology has been around for some time, it is only recently that its popularity is beginning to grow. Dubbed one of the ‘most practical’ options available for connecting businesses to a quick and reliable network, Ethernet over Copper provides higher bandwidths at lower prices. This winning combo is made possible by an increasing number of competitive providers offering this service as well as the added efficiency of transmitting data over copper wiring.

Fast Ethernet

Original Ethernet technology only supported 10Mb per second. Fast Ethernet, also known as 100 Mb Ethernet, supports an impressive maximum data rate of 100Mb per second – which is also the reason it is named Fast Ethernet. As the call for greater Local Area Network performance became crucial to businesses and universities in the mid-90’s, Fast Ethernet began to be widely deployed.

An important factor in the success of Fast Ethernet technology was its capability to coexist with existing network installations. As a result, a number of modern network adapters support both Fast and traditional Ethernet via 10/100 adapters. These adapters (which get their name from the supported speeds of traditional and Fast Ethernet) typically sense the line speed automatically and amend appropriately.

Gigabit Ethernet

Similar to how Fast Ethernet enhanced conventional Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet improves on Fast Ethernet tenfold, supporting a maximum data rate of 1000 Mb (1Gb) per second. Otherwise known as 1000 Mb Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet is an extension to the family of Ethernet computer networking and communication standards. Despite previous beliefs that such speeds could only be attained via fiber optic or other elite cables, this service can be employed on regular twisted pair copper cable.

Both traditional and Fast Ethernet services continue to be sufficient for many businesses and, as a result, are still commonly implemented. Consequently, this slows the adoption rates of Gigabit Ethernet services and is the main reason why today it is typically only found in research institutions.

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