Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet is a fast version of Ethernet which supports data transfer rates of 1 Gbps, a newer version can even support 10 Gbps. Gigabit Ethernet has such a high transfer rate that makes it suitable for the backbone between the different parts of a local area network (LAN).

Gigabit Ethernet can use different types of cable.

• 1000Base-LX
  Long wavelength laser (1300 nm) optical fibres. The maximum cable length is 316 m in a half-duplex configuration and 550 m in a full-duplex configuration. The cable length can be extended to 5000 m if a very thin (10 µm) single mode fiber is used.
• 1000Base-SX
  Short wavelength laser (850 nm) multi-mode optical fiber. The maximum cable length is 275 m on a 62.5 µm fiber cable. With a 50 µm fiber cable a length of 316 m in a half-duplex configuration or 550 m in a full-duplex configuration can be reached.
• 1000Base-CX
  Shielded twisted pair. Maximum cable length is 25 m.
• 1000Base-T
  Four pairs of 100 Ohm unshielded twisted pair, category 5. The maximum cable length is 100 m.

Gigabit Ethernet is defined in IEEE 802.3z and 802.3ab (1000Base-T). The 10 Gigabit Ethernet version is defined in IEEE 802.3ae