Fast Ethernet Technology; Switching Technology - D-Link DGS-1248T Manual

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 takes advantage of the existing investment in hardware, software, and
personnel training.

Switching Technology

Another approach to pushing 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 network into different
segments, which do not compete with each other for network transmission
capacity.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the individual
segments. The switch, without interfering with any other segments,
automatically forwards traffic that needs to go from one segment to another.
By doing this the total network capacity is multiplied, while still maintaining
the same network cabling and adapter cards.
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