D-Link DGS-1100 MP/MPP Series Switch User Manual
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16. Appendix A - Ethernet Technology
This chapter will describe the features of the D-Link DGS-1100 MP/MPP Series switch and provide
some background information about Ethernet/Fast Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet switching technology.
Gigabit Ethernet Technology
Gigabit Ethernet is an extension of IEEE 802.3 Ethernet utilizing the same packet structure, format,
and support for CSMA/CD protocol, full duplex, and management objects, but with a tenfold increase
in theoretical throughput of over 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet and a hundredfold increase over 10-Mbps
Ethernet. Since it is compatible with all 10-Mbps and 100-Mbps Ethernet environments, Gigabit
Ethernet provides a straightforward upgrade without wasting existing investments in hardware,
software, or trained personnel.
The increased speed and extra bandwidth offered by Gigabit Ethernet is essential to help solving
network bottlenecks that frequently develop as more advanced computer users and newer
applications continue to demand greater network resources. Upgrading key components, such as
backbone connections and servers to Gigabit Ethernet technology can greatly improve network
response times as well as significantly speed up the traffic between subnets.
Gigabit Ethernet enables fast optical fiber connections to support video conferencing, complex
imaging, and similar data-intensive applications. Likewise, since data transfers occur 10 times faster
than Fast Ethernet, servers outfitted with Gigabit Ethernet NIC’s are able to perform 10 times the
number of operations in the same amount of time.
In addition, the phenomenal bandwidth delivered by Gigabit Ethernet is the most cost-effective
method to take advantage of today and tomorrow’s rapidly improving switching and routing
internetworking technologies. And with expected advances in the coming years in silicon technology
and digital signal processing that will enable Gigabit Ethernet to eventually operate over unshielded
twisted-pair (UTP) cabling, outfitting your network with a powerful 1000-Mbps-capable
backbone/server connection which will create a flexible foundation for the next generation of network
technology products.
Fast Ethernet Technology
The growing importance of LANs and the increasing complexity of desktop computing applications
are fueling the need for high performance networks. A number of high-speed LAN technologies have
been proposed to provide greater bandwidth and improve client/server response times. Among
them, 100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet) provides a non-disruptive, smooth evolution from the current
10BASE-T technology. The non-disruptive and smooth evolution nature, and the dominating
potential market base, virtually guarantees cost-effective and high performance Fast Ethernet
solutions.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet is a standard specified by the IEEE 802.3 LAN committee. It is an extension
of the 10Mbps Ethernet standard with the ability to transmit and receive data at 100Mbps, while
maintaining the CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol. Since the 100Mbps Fast Ethernet is compatible with all
other 10Mbps Ethernet environments, it provides a straightforward upgrade and utilizes existing
investments in hardware, software, and personnel training.
Switching Technology
Another approach to push beyond the limits of Ethernet technology is the development of switching
technology. A switch bridges Ethernet packets at the MAC address level of the Ethernet protocol
transmitting among connected Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN segments.
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network capacity available to users on a local
area network. A switch increases capacity and decreases network loading by dividing a local area
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