The Need for Speed

For the enterprise, it's not just that increasingly mountainous amounts of data have to be stored -- it has to be moved, too. And the more you've got, the faster your network needs to be to keep up with demands. That's why gigabit speeds across various parts of the network are so enticing to IT managers.

In particular, true 10-gigabit-per-second performance is a goal for large enterprises with heavy network demands. The capability has been there for physical aspects of the network, ranging from switches and transceivers to cabling, but actually hitting 10-Gbit performance has been another matter, even with updated equipment and fiber-optic cabling.

That may be changing. Two startups, KeyEye Communications and Accelerant Networks, have recently developed transceivers that employ schemes they say can enable true 10-Gbit rates over existing copper CAT-6 cabling and backplanes. If that pans out, network managers will be able to boost their data throughout without having to rewire their installation with fiber-optic cabling or get new hub equipment. This might even be enticing to small to medium-sized businesses that find their data needs exploding, too.

Similarly, as Gigabit Ethernet becomes cheaper, companies are likely to move to the faster standard and then through to 10-Gigabit Ethernet, according to a Meta Group study. And Cisco is now touting a recent release of 10-Gbit switches aimed at enterprise customers who already have multimode fiber in their installations.

Bandwidth and speed needs may drive many a network manager to distraction, but so far technology is managing to keep up without forcing them to drain their networking budgets.Startup Claims 10-Gbit Performance Over Copper Links
Startup KeyEye Communications is touting the development of a CMOS transceiver that will allow designers to push 10-Gbit/s data rates over category 6 copper cabling.

Transceiver Said To Deliver 10-Gbit Backplane Performance
Startup Accelerant Networks is expanding its backplane transceiver device family with the release of a transceiver it claims can deliver 10-Gbit links across communications backplanes.

Every Little Gigabit Helps

Cost trends, more than application needs such as voice over IP, will help drive mainstream and enterprise acceptance of Gigabit Ethernet.

Tech Guide: Ethernet's Latest Twist: 10 Gbits
No one has even proposed a working group to explore a faster protocol than 10-Gigabit Ethernet; this all but guarantees that bandwidth increases will happen more slowly.

DEEP BACKGROUNDTechweb Features

Back To The Future With Ethernet
The networking technology that wouldn't die continues to draw interest in its gigabit form from an enterprise looking to upgrade quickly and easily.

Related News

Cisco Bolsters High-End Switch Line
Cisco Systems bolstered its high-end Catalyst 6500 Series LAN switching product line with increased density via new Gbit and 10-Gbit Ethernet capabilities.

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