10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T)

10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T), being standardized in IEEE 802.3a, is a telecommunication technology that offers data speeds up to 10 billion bits per second. Built on the Ethernet technology used in most of today's local area networks (LANs), 10-Gigabit Ethernet is described as a "disruptive" technology that offers a more efficient and less expensive approach to moving data on backbone connections between networks while also providing a consistent technology end-to-end. Using optical fiber, 10-Gigabit Ethernet can replace existing networks that use ATM switches and SONET multiplexers on an OC-48 SONET ring with a simpler network of 10-Gigabit Ethernet switches and at the same time improve the data rate from 2.5 Gbps to 10 Gbps.

10-Gigabit Ethernet is expected to be used to interconnect local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and metropolitan area networks (MANs). 10-Gigabit Ethernet uses the familiar IEEE 802.3 Ethernet media access control (MAC) protocol and its frame format and size. Like Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, 10-Gigabit Ethernet uses full-duplex transmission, which makes possible a considerable distance range. On multimode fiber, 10-Gigabit Ethernet will support distances up to 300 meters; on single mode fiber, it will support distances up to 40 kilometers. Smaller Gigabit Ethernet networks can feed into a 10-Gigabit Ethernet network.

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