D-Link DES-2110 User manual - Ntroduction
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NTRODUCTION
This section describes the features of the DES-2110, as well as giving
some background information about Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
and Switching technology.
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
are proposed to provide greater bandwidth and improve client/server
response times. Among them, Fast Ethernet, or 100BASE-T, provides
a non-disruptive, smooth evolution from 10BASE-T technology.
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 Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Detection (CSMA/CD) Ethernet protocol.
Gigabit Ethernet Technology
Gigabit Ethernet is an extension of IEEE 802.3 Ethernet utilizing the
same packet structure, format, and support for CSMA/CD protocol,
full duplex, flow control, and management objects, but with a tenfold
increase in theoretical throughput over 100Mbps Fast Ethernet and a
one hundred-fold increase over 10Mbps Ethernet. Since it is
compatible with all 10Mbps and 100Mbps Ethernet environments,
Gigabit Ethernet provides a straightforward upgrade without wasting
a company's existing investment in hardware, software, and trained