TRENDnet TEG-448WS - Switch, User Manual, Page: 6 / 34

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In addition, the phenomenal bandwidth delivered by Gigabit Ethernet
is the most cost-effective method to take advantage of today and
tomorrow’s rapidly improving switching and routing internetworking
technologies. And with expected advances in the coming years in
silicon technology and digital signal processing that will enable
Gigabit Ethernet to eventually operate over unshielded twisted-pair
(UTP) cabling, outfitting your network with a powerful 1000-Mbps-
capable backbone/server connection creates a flexible foundation for
the next generation of network technology products.
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
have been proposed to provide greater bandwidth and improve
client/server response times. Among them, 100BASE-T (Fast
Ethernet) provides a non-disruptive, smooth evolution from the
current 10BASE-T technology. The non-disruptive and smooth
evolution nature, and the dominating potential market base, virtually
guarantees cost-effective and high performance Fast Ethernet
solutions.
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 CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol. Since the 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet is compatible with all other 10Mbps Ethernet
environments, it provides a straightforward upgrade and takes
advantage of the existing investment in hardware, software, and
personnel training.
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Switching Technology
Another approach to pushing beyond the limits of Ethernet technology
is the development of switching technology. A switch bridges
Ethernet packets at the MAC address level of the Ethernet protocol
transmitting among connected Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN
segments.
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network
capacity available to users on a local area network. A switch increases
capacity and decreases network loading by dividing a local area
network into different segments, which don’t compete with each other
for network transmission capacity.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the
individual segments. The switch, without interfering with any other
segments, automatically forwards traffic that needs to go from one
segment to another. By doing this the total network capacity is
multiplied, while still maintaining the same network cabling and
adapter cards.
Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over the
previous generation of network bridges, which were characterized by
higher latencies. Routers have also been used to segment local area
networks, but the cost of a router, the setup and maintenance required
make routers relatively impractical. Today switches are an ideal
solution to most kinds of local area network congestion problems.