disruptive and smooth evolution nature, and the dominating
potential market base, virtually guarantee cost effective and
high performance Fast Ethernet solutions in the years to come.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet is a new 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.
Switching Technology
Another key development pushing the limits of Ethernet
technology is in the field 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 making it
possible for a local area network to be divided into different
segments
which don’t compete with each other for network
transmission capacity, giving a decreased load on each.