Fast Ethernet

Fast Ethernet is newer and faster version of Ethernet. Fast Ethernet supports data transfer rates of 100 Mbps. Fast Ethernet is commonly used in local area networks (LAN).

Fast Ethernet can use a number of different cables.

• 100Base-FX
  Two optical fibers. The maximum cable length is 412 m in half-duplex and 2000 m in a full duplex configuration.
• 100Base-TX
  Two pairs of 100 Ohm unshielded twisted pair (UTP Category 5). The maximum cable length is 100 m.
• 100Base-T2
  Two pairs of 100 Ohm unshielded twisted pair, category 3 or better. The maximum cable length is 100 m.
• 100Base-T4
  Four pairs of 100 Ohm unshielded twisted pair, category 3 or better. The maximum cable length is 100 m.

Fast Ethernet is defined in IEEE 802.3u, execpt 100Base-T2 which is defined in IEEE 802.3y.