Ethernet is a set of networking technologies that are used to connect several systems in order to create a Local Area Network (LAN). There are many other varieties of Ethernet available for use, but the two most common are Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. This article will talk about the differences between Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet.
What is Fast Ethernet?
Fast Ethernet (FE) is a local area network (LAN) transmission standard that was first introduced in 1995 as IEEE 802.3u. Fast Ethernet. The speed of Fast Ethernet is 100 Mbps, and Fast Ethernet aims to improve network performance while decreasing bit size.
It is intended for 100 Base-T networks but is also compatible with 10 Base-T networks, allowing customers to benefit from greater Ethernet speeds without totally upgrading their network equipment.
Fast Ethernet devices can run over unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables such as category 5 and higher rated connections, allowing for longer optical fiber transmission. It also supports full-duplex and half-duplex communication modes.
What is Gigabit Ethernet?
Gigabit Ethernet is a newer version of the local area network (LAN) transmission standard. It is first introduced in 1999 as IEEE 802.3ab and later as IEEE 802.3ah. The IEEE 802.3ab standard defines Gigabit Ethernet’s applicability to 1000 Base-T networks and facilitates the use of existing UTP cabling.
Gigabit Ethernet has a maximum speed of 1000 Mbps, which is ten times faster than Fast Ethernet. It can handle increasingly complicated network demands, such as connecting several bandwidth-intensive devices and broadband Internet connections for video streaming.
Gigabit Ethernet devices can deliver data packets substantially quicker than Fast Ethernet devices. Fast Ethernet switches have a data transmission rate of 10 megabits per second. While Gigabit Ethernet switches send data packets at the comparatively fast rate of one gigabit per second.
Difference between Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet
So as shown in the table below, there are numerous ways to compare Fast Ethernet with Gigabit Ethernet:
| Aspects | Fast Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Speed | 100 Mbit/s | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Coverage | Up to 10 km | Up to 70 km |
| Round Trip Delay | 100-500 bit times | 4000 bit times |
| Delay | More delay | Less Delay |
| Configuration | Simple and economical | Complicated and more errors |
| Price | Cost effective | More expensive |
Conclusion
Now fast ethernet or gigabit ethernet, which one you should choose? Fast Ethernet is supported by all networks, however Gigabit Ethernet is only available in certain networks. If you don’t require a network connection faster than 100 Mbps, then you can go with Fast Ethernet. And If your network has a large number of users, you should consider Gigabit Ethernet.
Baudcom offers all types of Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet related products. For more information, please feel free to contact us.
Post time: 2021-11-18
