Additionally, both technologies can be offered with shared or switched
Ethernet connections. Shared environments provide a total of 10
or 100 Mb/s to all stations attached to a hub. They are ideal for a
medium size work group with occasional peak bandwidth demands.
Shared Ethernet delivers the bandwidth at very low cost.
Cost-Effective Migration
The seamless compatibility between 10BaseT and 100BaseTX allows
easy migration to high-speed connects. Migration is simple and
economical in many important areas:
•
LAN cabling — 100BaseT media specifications (100BaseTX,
100BaseFX, and 100BaseT4), enable Fast Ethernet to run on
the most common Ethernet wiring including Categories 3, 4,
and 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP), 100-ohm screened (ScTP)
twisted-pair, and fiber.
•
Administrative expertise — Managers can rely on familiar
network analysis tools and procedures in 100BaseT environments.
Administrative information translates easily from 10 Mb/s
Ethernet to Fast Ethernet networks, which means minimal
retraining of MIS support staff. Administrators as well as system
integrators already know the technology, cabling, protocols, and
software used in 100BaseT networks.
•
Management software — Fast Ethernet LANs can be
managed with existing Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP) management application software and today’s Ethernet
management information bases (MIBs).
•
Software support — Application and networking software will
function unchanged on 100BaseT LANs.
•
Flexible migration — Automatic speed selection where adapters
can run at either 10 or 100 Mb/s on existing wire ensures
nondisruptive transition to Fast Ethernet. Similarly, 10/100
Mb/s Ethernet switching hubs will enable smooth migration to
Fast Ethernet in the wiring closet.
D–3
