3
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Detecting Packet Errors
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Fault Isolation
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Capacity Planning
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Port Control- Speed, Mode, and Flow Control
Gigabit Ethernet Support
Gigabit Ethernet has emerged as an easy and inexpensive solution for networks straining under
the weight of increased network traffic. Gigabit Ethernet offers high-speed 1 Gbps (1000
Mbps) operation, which is 10 times faster than the 100 Mbps speed of Fast Ethernet. All
network services and protocols written for 10 and 100 Mbps Ethernet networks work
unchanged over Gigabit Ethernet. These similarities allow Gigabit Ethernet to be easily
implemented into, and coexist with, existing Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks. For this
reason, small businesses deciding on a managed-switch solution should choose a managed
switch that supports Gigabit Ethernet
even if they currently use Ethernet or Fast Ethernet.
Furthermore, small businesses can combine Gigabit Ethernet with other low- or high-
bandwidth technologies to structure the environment best suited to their requirements. The
following table provides application examples.
Table 1. Examples of Switch Applications Using Gigabit Ethernet
Building backbone
Connect a central Gigabit Ethernet switch with centrally located
servers and with workgroup and department switches located in
wiring closets.
Campus backbone
Connect building switches to a central campus switch.
High-Performance
Servers
Deliver a high-speed connection to powerful computers.
Power Users
Provide high bandwidth to the desktop for multimedia and other
data-intensive applications.
Port Monitoring
One of the core objectives of switch management is its ability to monitor the number of data
packets sent or received on every switch port. Determining which ports are being used more
than others allows companies to identify traffic patterns, monitor network trends, and
determine appropriate bandwidth needs so that the appropriate changes can be made to the
network to increase performance and efficiency.
By monitoring switch ports continuously, port monitoring also provides companies with the
assurance that ports are working properly and are available to users. It also makes it possible to
identify port congestion and port failures, minimizing their potential impact on users and the
business as a whole.
Some port monitoring features also monitor the types of packets sent and received on switch
ports. These data packet types include:
