Gigabit Ethernet Technical Overview

STANDARD 802.3z

802.3z includes specifications of Media Access Control, topology rules, the Gigabit Media Independent Interface and three physical layer interfaces using a common link encoding (1000BASE-SX,1000BASE-LX and 1000BASE-CX). 802.3z was approved as a standard in June 1998.

802.3z is not a stand-alone document, it includes both changes and additions to the 802.3 standard to add 1000Mb/s operation to the previously defined 10 and 100 Mb/s speeds of operation. The IEEE 802.3 standards catalog page lists the most current document that includes the specifications for Gigabit Ethernet operation.

DRAFT 802.3ab

802.3ab adds a Gigabit Ethernet physical layer (1000BASE-T) for operation over Category 5 unshielded twisted pair wiring to the 802.3 standard.

802.3z AND 802.3ab WORKING DOCUMENTS

If you are interested in how the specifications in the standard were determined, or the simulations, tests and alternatives considered, the minutes and presentations of the 802.3z and 802.3ab Task Forces can be accessed by following links on the IEEE 802.3 Working Group home page.

Comparison Summary

Compare the speed differences.

Migration

Find out how easy it will be to migrate from your existing Ethernet Technology to Gigabit Ethernet Technology.