Gigabit Ethernet is a speed definition for the Ethernet protocol which can provide 1-gigabit data transmission per second. 1 Gigabit is equal to the 1,000Mbps speed. Gigabit Ethernet also refers to an ethernet port which can provide 1-gigabit speed.
Gigabit Ethernet Standard
Gigabit Ethernet is an established standard which is mainly described IEEE 1000Base-T (802.3ab) and later TIA 1000Base-TX is created which requires CAT6 cable to work in a reliable fashion. Other relavent standards are
- 1000BASE-CX is the first Gigabit Ethernet standard which works in 25 meters.
- 1000BASE-SX is a fiber cable Gigabit Ethernet standard which works up to 550 meters.
- 1000BASE-LX is another fiber optic cable standard which works up to 5 kilometers.
- 1000BASE-T is coaxial cable or CAT5E or CAT6 standard which works up to 100 meters.
Gigabit Ethernet Connection (Port and Cable)
Gigabit is a very fast connection wherein a single second 120 MB or megabyte data can be transferred theoretically. But in the real world, it may a bit lower related to the remote system speed. As a fast connection, Gigabit Ethernet port and cable should meet some requirements which are generally CAT5e or CAT6 cable or fiber cable. Even fiber cable provides less delay creating a fiber cable infrastructure that is hard and expensive. Generally, CAT6 cables are used to connect network devices like modem, switch router, firewall, computer with each other. As a connector like other ethernet connections, RJ-45 is used.
How To List Gigabit Ethernet in Windows
In windows to get information about the Gigabit Ethernet the Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network Connections steps should be following and the following screen will list existing network connections. Generally the network connection name will contain Gigabit term which refers to the Gigabit Ethernet.
Also double click to the interface will show detailed information where also speed will list 1.0 Gbps which is gigabit connection.
Gigabit Ethernet vs Fast Ethernet
Fast Ethernet is another ethernet connection type or speed which is one level lower than Gigabit ethernet. Gigabit ethernet provides 1 Gbps or 1.000 Mbps speed where Fast Ethernet is 100Mbps . This means Gigabit ethernet has 10 times more bandwidth then fast ethernet. Also fast ethernet can work with CAT5 but gigabit can only work with CAT5E.
