Blog, Networking Device
Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet: What is the difference
Jan
Ethernet technology allows people to communicate with each other over a single cable, and more and more devices and objects are becoming smart. Although there are many varieties of Ethernet, the two most widely used varieties currently are Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. Checkout counters, schools, big businesses, and other places have them. Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet: What is the difference in transmission speeds? You will discover more about them both in this article.
Table of contents
What is Fast Ethernet?
Fast Ethernet (FE), formerly known as 10Base-T, is compatible with it. FE has a transmission speed of 100 Mbps and supports both full-duplex and half-duplex modes.
The variants of Fast Ethernet are:
- 100Base-T4: Maximum transmission distance is 100m.this. Technology is not widely used and outdated, but the later 1000Base-T lays a particular foundation.
- 100Base-TX: Maximum transmission distance is 100m, using RJ45 connector.
- 100Base-FX: Using multimode fiber in 1310nm wavelength, the maximum transmission distance can reach 2km. 100Base-FX using SC and other fiber optic connectors.
T stands for twisted pair, F for fiber optic, and 4 or X refers to the line code signal used. You can learn more about the specific meaning of some variants and the differences between the variants in our previous article: “100BASE-TX vs 100BASE-FX, What is The Difference?“.
Advantages of Fast Ethernet
- Faster data transfer speeds: Fast Ethernet networks offer data transfer speeds of 100 Mbps, which is ten times faster than standard 10Base-T networks running at 10 Mbps.
- Easy to expand: Its basic structure and simple protocols allow new devices to be added without shutting down the entire network.
- Cost-effectiveness: Fast Ethernet is a cost-effective network solution because it is simple to maintain and design. The equipment that supports It (such as repeaters and bridges) is relatively inexpensive.
- Better performance: Compared to 10Base-T, Faster network transmission speeds result in better performance.
Disadvantages of Fast Ethernet
- Data transfer limitations: Data transfer still has limitations compared to the more advanced Gigabit Ethernet standard. For example, FE may not meet the demand for data-intensive applications and large networks.
- Distance limitations: Fast Ethernet has a maximum distance of 120 km. As network demands grow, FE may face challenges in scalability.
- High power consumption: Fast Ethernet devices may consume more power than traditional Ethernet.
What is Gigabit Ethernet?
Gigabit Ethernet (GE) was created due to increased network requirements. Its transmission speed is 1000Mbps or 1Gbps, supporting both full-duplex and half-duplex modes.
Depending on the data frequency and transmission distance requirements, the common variants of Gigabit Ethernet are:
- 1000Base-SX: It uses multimode fiber with a core diameter of 50um and 62.5um and a working wavelength of 850m. The transmission distance is 220m and 550m, respectively.
- 1000Base-LX: Using multi-mode fiber with a core diameter of 62.5um and an operating wavelength of 1310, the maximum transmission distance is 550m. The maximum transmission distance can reach 10km using single-mode fiber with a core diameter of 9um.
- 1000Base-ZX: Fast Ethernet transmission using 1,550 nm wavelength, achieving a distance of at least 70 km on single-mode fiber.
- 1000Base-T: Uses 4 pairs of Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable with PAM5 encoding to achieve distances of 100m.
1000 Base-SX and 1000-Base LX use multimode fiber, 1000Bae-ZX uses single-mode fiber, and 1000Base-T uses cat5e or cat6 twisted-pair cable. You can learn more about what some variants mean and the differences between the variants in our previous article: “1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX, 1000BASE-ZX&BX, A Simple Guide“.
Advantages of Gigabit Ethernet
- Full-duplex capability: Gigabit Ethernet supports full-duplex communication, allowing data to be transmitted and received simultaneously.
- Improved performance: Gigabit Ethernet significantly reduces congestion problems and speed bottlenecks in data transmission, providing faster and more efficient communication between devices.
- Compatibility advantage: Gigabit Ethernet is backward compatible with Fast Ethernet. This means users can utilize existing network facilities to upgrade.
- High data transfer capacity: Gigabit Ethernet can handle large amounts of data, making it suitable for data-intensive applications, large file transfers, and multimedia streaming across networks.
Disadvantages of Gigabit Ethernet
- Higher cost expenditure Gigabit Ethernet is pricier than Fast Ethernet.
- High power consumption: Gigabit Ethernet devices often require more power than lower-speed Ethernet options. Consequently, large-scale network deployments may encounter reduced energy efficiency.
- Poor compatibility: To implement Gigabit Ethernet, the network infrastructure, such as switches and cabling, may need to be Upgraded. Older network hardware may cause compatibility problems.
Fast Ethernet vs. Gigabit Ethernet
Key Features: Ethernet vs. Gigabit Ethernet
| Comparison Features | Fast Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Speed | 100 Mbps | 1Gbps |
| Configuration | Simple | Slightly complicated |
| Coverage Distance | Can cover a distance of up to 120km | Can cover a farther distance of up to 160km |
| Round Trip Delay | 100-500 bit times | 4000-bit times |
| Transmission Modes | Full duplex and half duplex | Full duplex and half duplex |
| Relation | Successor of 10-Base-T Ethernet | A Successor of Fast Ethernet |
| Layer Standards | 100 Base-FX, 100 Base-T4, and 100 Base-TX | 1000Base – SX, 1000Base-LX, and 1000Base-T. |
| Device Requirements | Requires no specific devices | Requires specially designed cables and Ethernet switches |
| Price | Cost-effective | More expensive |
| Cable | optical fiber cable or copper media like Cat5/Cat5e | optical fiber cable or copper media like Cat5e/Cat6 |
Practical Application: Ethernet vs. Gigabit Ethernet
| Gigabit Ethernet | Fast Ethernet |
| Big Business Networks: Gigabit Ethernet is used in business networks to give office PCs, printers, IP phones, and other network devices quick and dependable communication. | Small Office: Fast Ethernet is widely used in small business office networks because it provides sufficient data speeds for file sharing and essential network communications between a limited number of devices. |
| Multimedia Streaming: Gigabit Ethernet is critical for multimedia streaming applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, and media production. It guarantees continuous streaming of high-definition music, video, and interactive information. | VoIP Phone Systems: Fast Ethernet is compatible with VoIP phone systems, which need less bandwidth for voice calls than data-intensive applications. |
| Industrial Automation: In industrial automation systems, programmable logic controllers, robotics, and monitoring equipment are connected and controlled by Gigabit Ethernet. It facilitates the smooth integration of industrial processes, remote monitoring, and real-time data interchange. | Older Industrial Control Systems: Fast Ethernet may still be used in industrial settings for machine-to-machine and control-unit communication in older control systems and automation equipment. |
| High-Performance Computing (HPC): In HPC environments, where computer clusters operate parallel to manage huge data processing, scientific computing, and complicated simulations, gigabit Ethernet is essential. | Retail POS systems: Barcode scanners, cash registers, and POS systems are usually connected by Fast Ethernet. High data rates are not necessary for these applications. |
| Data Centers: Data centers often utilize Gigabit Ethernet to meet the high-speed data transmission needs of servers, storage systems, and network devices. | Domestic Networks: Upgrading to GE is expensive and extra in domestic settings where the network’s main uses are email, media streaming, and Internet browsing. Fast Ethernet can offer dependable and sufficient connectivity in these scenarios. |
FAQ
Q. What is the fastest Ethernet speed?
A. The fastest Ethernet speed available is 800Gb Ethernet (800Gbps).
Q. How can I increase my Ethernet speed?
A. Way 1: Upgrade to a higher speed Ethernet standard; Way 2: Use cat6, cat6a, cat7, or higher level cables; Way 3: Optimize the network configuration;
Q. What does 10 GB Ethernet mean?
A. Compared to Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gb Ethernet is ten times faster than a computer networking standard. It is most frequently utilized in data centers and businesses, operating at 10 Gbps. Cat6 cables are needed for 10 GB Ethernet connectivity.
Q. What kind of cable is utilized in Fast Ethernet technology?
A. Twisted-pair copper cable, such as Cat5e, is used for 100Base-TX fast Ethernet, whereas fiber optic cable is used for 100Base-FX fast Ethernet.
Q. Has Fast Ethernet been phased out?
A. currently, most households are still using Fast Ethernet, but the proportion of Gigabit Ethernet usage is increasing, and there is a trend towards gradually replacing Fast Ethernet.
Conclusion
Today, whether you are a business manager, a regular user, or an Ethernet technology enthusiast, you want a high-speed, stable Ethernet connection. Understanding Ethernet speeds can help you build your network infrastructure.
This article gives you a basic understanding of Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet. Depending on your needs and situation, whether you need to set up a network for your home office or a large organization, consider the above comparisons when choosing between Fast Ethernet and Gigabit.
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