What Is Gigabit Ethernet?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Are you thinking of upgrading your Ethernet? Explore Gigabit Ethernet, including how it works, its uses, and how Gigabit Ethernet compares to other Ethernet types.

[Featured Image] A person works on a laptop in a data center that stores data users can access through Gigabit Ethernet.

Key takeaways

Gigabit Ethernet supports the high-speed transfer of data between devices.

  • The “gigabit” in Gigabit Ethernet represents one gigabit of data per second, the speed at which Gigabit Ethernet transmits data.

  • Businesses that require extensive bandwidth to support more advanced applications and tools benefit from implementing Gigabit Ethernet, as it allows for more efficient file transfer speeds and application accessibility.

  • You can use fiber optic or twisted copper cables to transmit data using Gigabit Ethernet.

Explore Gigabit Ethernet in greater detail, along with how it compares to other Ethernet types and its benefits. Afterward, enroll in Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate to develop essential skills for performing routine information technology (IT) support tasks, including computer assembly and wireless networking. 

What is Ethernet? 

Ethernet connects devices within local, wide, and metropolitan area networks by enabling communication between devices. Since the introduction of Ethernet technology, multiple types have come to market, with advancements made over time to increase data transmission speed. 

What is Gigabit Ethernet?

The “gigabit” in Gigabit Ethernet represents one gigabit of data per second, the speed at which Gigabit Ethernet transmits data, and is the best Ethernet option when looking for the highest possible data transmission speed. Gigabit Ethernet is significantly faster than Fast Ethernet, working at 10 times the speed. It supports fast communication, transferring data between devices at high speeds. Although Gigabit Ethernet entered the market in 1999, it only gained popularity after new tech devices and internet use became widespread in 2010. Upgrading infrastructure to meet the requirements for Gigabit Ethernet can be costly, as can the higher power consumption needs of Gigabit Ethernet compared to slower options, but it also offers several advantages.

How Gigabit Ethernet works

Gigabit Ethernet runs through Ethernet cables, often Cat5 cables made of copper wire. Four pairs of twisted wires within Cat5 cables transmit data back and forth between devices in both directions. Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet cables are more suitable options when sending large amounts of data at high speeds. While not as common as copper, fiber optic cables also work to transmit Gigabit Ethernet and are especially popular for use in local area networks (LANs). 

Some common options to consider, and the corresponding cables used for each, include the following:

  • 1000BASE-T: The most common type of Gigabit Ethernet, 1000BASE-T uses copper Cat5e cables.

  • 1000BASE-LX: Ideal for transmitting data over significant distances, 1000BASE-LX relies on fiber optic cables.

  • 1000BASE-SX: Used to transmit data over shorter distances, 1000BASE-SX transmits data through fiber optic cables.

Read more: What Does a System Administrator Do? Career Guide

Uses for Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet is an ideal option in several instances. Businesses requiring extensive bandwidth to support more advanced applications and tools benefit from implementing Gigabit Ethernet, as it allows for more efficient file transfer speeds and application accessibility.

Because of its fast transmission speeds, video streaming, video games, surveillance cameras, high-definition monitors, and televisions benefit from this technology. Additionally, in cases where large volumes of data are present, such as multimedia streaming and transferring sizable files, Gigabit Ethernet can meet these particular needs. 

Gigabit Ethernet vs. Fast Ethernet vs. standard Ethernet

The invention of Ethernet occurred in 1973, providing a way to connect computers throughout local area networks. In 1995, Fast Ethernet became the latest version, with faster speeds than standard Ethernet, only to be further improved upon in 1999 with the emergence of Gigabit Ethernet. 

Collisions can occur when transmitting data through devices simultaneously, hampering the transmission. The invention of standard Ethernet allowed computers to prevent this. However, standard Ethernet initially only allowed this transmission to occur at a speed of 2.94 megabytes per second (Mbps), compared to Fast Ethernet’s rate of 100 Mbps and Gigabit Ethernet at 1000 Mbps. 

When comparing the differences between Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, which are both still regularly used today, several features differentiate them beyond their transmission speed. The costs involved with upgrading to Fast Ethernet are less than those of Gigabit Ethernet due to the greater complexity of the latter option. Gigabit Ethernet also requires more devices, such as a Gigabit Ethernet switch, and requires complex configuration, unlike the simplicity of Fast Ethernet. Additionally, the reach of Gigabit Ethernet spans much further than that of Fast Ethernet, covering up to 70 kilometers compared to Fast Ethernet’s 10 kilometers. 

How to use Gigabit Ethernet

To use Gigabit Ethernet, you must first obtain all the necessary devices. Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet rely on comparable devices, but Gigabit Ethernet has more requirements, including specific switches and cables. 

Choosing the right Gigabit Ethernet cable

You can use fiber optic or twisted copper cables to transmit data using Gigabit Ethernet. The kind of Gigabit Ethernet you have dictates the cable you need. However, Cat5e is the common cable type that’s compatible with several different networks. Copper cables have been in use for longer, but fiber optic cables have unique advantages. For example, they are faster and don’t rely on electricity, helping to prevent interference and providing better security. The seven types of copper Ethernet cables offer different characteristics, including varying speeds and bandwidths. They include: 

  • Cat5: 100 Mbps and 300 megahertz (MHz)

  • Cat5e: 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) and 350 MHz

  • Cat6: 1 Gbps and 550MHz

  • Cat6a: 10 Gbps and 550 MHz

  • Cat7: 10 Gbps and 600 MHz

  • Cat7a: 40 Gbps and 1 gigahertz (GHz)

  • Cat8: 25 or 40 Gbps and 2 GHz

What is a Gigabit Ethernet switch?

Gigabit Ethernet switches control how data moves throughout devices and physically connect the devices. It sends packets to the switch, where it confirms that the media access control (MAC) address of the transmitting device and the MAC address of the receiving device both connect to the switch. At this point, it transmits the data to its intended destination. 

The number of ports available to connect devices to within a Gigabit Ethernet switch can range from two to hundreds of ports but typically range between four and 52 ports. When deciding which Gigabit Ethernet switch is right for you, several factors come into play, including how many devices you are connecting to your network and whether or not some applications are more important than others so that your switch can prioritize the flow of specific data.

Is Gigabit Ethernet worth it?

Gigabit Ethernet can be a worthy investment if you regularly work with data-intensive applications or stream high-quality multimedia content. While setting it up may require upgrading cables and switches to handle higher speeds, the performance gains are significant. In real-world conditions, speeds typically reach around 900 Mbps due to factors such as network protocol overhead. Even with some overhead, Gigabit Ethernet remains a substantial improvement over traditional Ethernet standards.

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