Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet: Understanding the Key Differences

Choosing between Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet is crucial to determine the performance and efficiency of your network. Basically, depending on your usage, you’ll have to choose one or the other for optimal results. You might be a beginner setting up your home network, a business owner seeking to improve your office network, or a network technician looking for the best solutions for specific cases and usage, in all cases, it’s crucial to understand these two technologies.

Ethernet- General Overview  

Ethernet is a simple and commonly used protocol for sharing local area network (LAN). Originally, Ethernet allowed computers to communicate through Ethernet packets, which are data units utilized to transmit information across the network. It is a crucial technology for wired local networks that enables devices to communicate within a network through standardized protocols, avoiding packet collisions.  

Ethernet networks connect devices through Network Interface Cards (NICs) and physical media like Ethernet cables, (twisted pair Cat5e, Cat 6, coaxial or fiber optic cables with standard RJ45 connectors. The switches use the MAC addresses to transport the data to the right destination port, reducing traffic and collisions. The function of the routers is to connect multiple networks and route the data between them.

To avoid collisions, Ethernet uses the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) for half-duplex communications and with the adoption of full duplex modes with switches that divide the network into multiple collision domains, each acting separately, and send the data only to the desired destination port.

Ethernet is affordable, easy to install, and doesn’t need a central controller. A central controller within this context, is like a traffic police for a network, in charge of directing all the data between devices. So, without needing a central controller, the devices connect with each other directly, improving their efficiency.

Connecting Devices to an Ethernet Network:

Every device requires a Network Interface Card (NIC) to connect to an Ethernet Network. The NIC acts as a physical interface that connects the device to the network and contains a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address which identifies the devices on the network.

Ethernet connects millions of computers/printers worldwide. As technology evolved, Ethernet speeds have gone from 10 Mb/s to higher standards or speeds like 100 Mb/s (Fast Ethernet) and 1000 Mb/s (Gigabit Ethernet), making it suitable for various network sizes and types. Now, let’s take a deeper look at each of them.

What is Fast Ethernet?

Fast Ethernet refers to a set of Ethernet standards that can send data at a speed of 100 megabits per second (Mbps). The term “standards” refers to the rules and guidelines that define how the different devices communicate over the network. Fast Ethernet is simply the improved version of the original Ethernet which worked at 10 Mbps. Though Fast Ethernet typically operates on 100 Base-T networks, it is also backward compatible with 10 Base-T networks, allowing people to gradually upgrade their network without needing a complete overhaul. Fast Ethernet was introduced in the mid- 1990s and it became the pillar of many Local Area Networks (LANs) due to its speed and low cost.

Fast Ethernet Speed and Cables

• Speed: Up to 100 Mbps.
• Cabling: Utilizes Category 5 (Cat5) or Category (Cat5e) Ethernet cables paired with Cat5 or Cat5e connectors.
• Applications: Good for small businesses and home networks with moderate bandwidth requirements.
• MaximumLength: 100 meters (328 feet)

Expert Tip: Although Fast Ethernet is enough to perform basic tasks like navigating the web or sending and receiving emails, it may have difficulties supporting high-bandwidth activities like HD streaming or transferring large files .

What is Gigabit Ethernet?

Gigabit Ethernet is the next evolution, the next step in Ethernet technology. It enables data transfer at high velocity: 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), which equals 1000 Mbps. This increase in Fast Ethernet was a response to the increasing demand for higher bandwidth in modern networks. Gigabit Ethernet was first introduced with fiber optic cables, using protocols like 1000 Base-SX and 1000-Base LX and later it was introduced for use with copper cables. It supports complex applications and can cover more users connected simultaneously.

Gigabit Ethernet Standards

Copper-Based Gigabit Ethernet Standards

• 1000BASE-T: Functions with Cat5e or Cat6 twisted-pair cables paired with Cat5e or Cat6 connectors, covering distances of up to 100 meters.
• 1000BASE-TX: This is a less common option. It needs higher-grade cabling and is mostly used in specialized environments.

Fiber Optic Gigabit Ethernet Standards

• 1000BASE -SX: It uses short-wavelength lasers (850nm), supports distances of up to 550 meters, and is ideal for short to medium distances, for example within building or campus networks.
• 1000BASE-LX: This standard operates on both single and multimode fiber optic cables, supporting distances of up to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) over single mode. It’s suitable to connect longer-distance-applications as metropolitan area networks (MANs).
• 1000BASE-ZX: This is not an IEEE standardized specification that operates over single-mode fiber and can cover distances of up to 70 kilometers(43.5 miles) or more. It’s used to connect geographically distant networks.

The type of cabling to use, whether copper or fiber, will depend on the given infrastructure, the distance of transmission required, the degree of electromagnetic interference, and economic viability.

Expert Tip: If your network handles large file transfers, heavy multimedia content or is being used by multiple users at the same time, you would highly benefit from upgrading to Gigabit Ethernet.

Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet: A Comparative Breakdown

To make an informed decision, you need to beware of your networking needs and understand the differences between Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. Let’s compare them.

Speed and Performance

• Fast Ethernet: Has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
• Gigabit Ethernet: It speeds up to 1000 Mbps.

Gigabit Ethernet provides noticeably faster data transfer rates, and diminishes latency (which is the time it takes for the info or data to travel from one device to another, the lower the latency, the faster the communication). This is essential for real-time interactions, such as video calls or gaming.

Cable Requirements

• Fast Ethernet: Requires Cat5 or Cat5e cables.
• Gigabit Ethernet: Requires Cat5e, Cat6, or higher-rated Ethernet cables for an optimal performance.

Note: While Cat5 cables can technically support Gigabit speeds in short distances, using Cat5e or higher contributes to steadiness and maximizes the performance of the network.

Costs

• Initial Investment:
  • Fast Ethernet: Is usually cheaper as it uses older technology.
  • Gigabit Ethernet: Requires making higher initial investment in both equipment and cabling.
• Long-Term Costs:
  • Fast Ethernet: Typically, requires sooner upgrades as the needs for more bandwidth increase rapidly.
  • Gigabit Ethernet: Maintains your network ready for the future, so you won’t need to make often upgrades.

Compatibility

Gigabit Ethernet devices can operate on Fast Ethernet networks but will be limited to 100 Mbps. Fast Ethernet devices cannot benefit from Gigabit speeds on a Gigabit network.

Uses

• Fast Ethernet:
  • Suitable for basic networking tasks.
  • Ideal for domestic usage or small offices with a limited number of devices connecting to it.
• Gigabit Ethernet:
  • Supports high-bandwidth applications like video conferencing, online gaming, multimedia streaming and overall large data and file transfers.
  • It’s recommended for businesses, data centers, and tech enthusiasts.
  • The best choice when several users connect at the same time.

When to Choose Fast Ethernet

• When you have a low or restricted budget
• When your networking needs are basic, such as primarily web browsing, sending and receiving emails, and performing standard office tasks.
• When you have just few devices connecting simultaneously and your data transfer needs are low.

When to Choose Gigabit Ethernet

• When you need high-bandwidth to support frequent large file transfers, HD streaming, or online gaming.
• When you plan to increase usage, for instance if you are planning to grow your network and will increase data loads.
• When you plan to invest in technology that will remain relevant and efficient in the long term.

Understanding 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-TX

Both protocols provide a data transmission speed of 1 Gigabit per second (1 Gbps). The difference between them lies in the method of data transmission and the cables they use. Ethernet 1000 Base T uses all four pairs of the twisted pair cable, whereas Ethernet 1000 Base TX uses only two pairs.

1000BASE-T

• Operates over Cat5e or Cat6 cables
• Supports full-duplex transmission
• Most common Gigabit Ethernet standard for LANs.
• The maximum transmission distance between devices is 100 meters
• It uses a Pulse AmplitudeModulation 5 (PAM% for data transmission

1000BASE-TX

• Designed to simplify Gigabit Ethernet over copper wires
• Uses two twisted pairs of wires instead of four.
• Employs Cat 5e or higher cables for data transmission
• Less popular due to the higher cost of required cables

How to Upgrade from Fast Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet

1. Check Your Current Infrastructure: Check if you already have at least Cat5e cables installed.
2. Upgrade Your Network Devices: Replace your routers, switches, and network cards with ones that support Gigabit
3. Cabling: Install either Cat5e or Cat6 cables for Gigabit traffic.
4. Change The Settings on Your Network Configuration: Ensure all devices are configured to support Gigabit speeds.

Expert Tip: You can upgrade your network in small steps or phases, allowing you to space out the cost and avoid major disruptions.

Conclusion

The answer of whether opting for Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet depends on your current and future use. If you have a low usage and budgetary restrictions, Fast Ethernet will cover your small network needs. On the other side, for higher networking demands, Gigabit Ethernet will provide you much higher performance and allow much easier scaling, making it well worth the extra money invested in it.

FAQs

Can I mix Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet devices?

Sure, but it will operate at the lowest speed device. To guarantee the highest performance from your network, you should deploy Gigabit-capable devices on the whole network.

Is Cat5e cable enough for Gigabit Ethernet?

Yes, it is enough, since Cat5e cables can support Gigabit up to 100 meters. However, Cat6 cable is better in performance and more suitable when there may be electromagnetism interference.

Will upgrading to Gigabit Ethernet improve my internet speed?

Only if your internet service provider (ISP) is providing you with speeds that approach or exceed 100 Mbps. Gigabit Ethernet improves the speeds internally in your network, but your external Internet speed is directly related to your plan from your ISP you subscribed to.

For more information on this topic, you can keep up on our blogs. While VCELINK offers general and basic information for our customers and other visitors to the website, it’s not professional advice.