With the advent of high-bandwidth business apps, super-clear streaming, cloud-based and Wi-Fi 7 wireless networking, the demands on Ethernet data networks have never been higher.
In some cases, a conventional 1 Gbps switch port connection may not meet the user's bandwidth requirements. Wi-Fi 6E and 7 wireless access points (APs) can achieve theoretical data rates of over 5 Gbps. With FTTP internet connections offering over 1 Gbps becoming increasingly accessible to both home and business users, there is a demand for Ethernet data ports with speeds surpassing 1 Gbps. This is where Multi-Gigabit Ethernet switching comes into play.
What’s Multi-Gig Ethernet?
In 2016, IEEE introduced Multi-Gig Ethernet (802.3bz) amending the existing Ethernet standard to support 2500 Mbps and 5000 Mbps speeds over traditional twisted-pair cabling, called 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T.
What does this mean for your network?
Both 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T can utilise existing category 5e (CAT5e) or higher (CAT6/CAT6A) twisted-pair copper data cabling. This means that in many cases, to enable these higher data speeds to compatible devices, all that is needed in the network is the installation of a Multi-Gig capable Ethernet network switch – a cabling upgrade is not required.
Multi-Gig Ethernet switches come in a few guises, the most common being 24 or 48-port switches of 1/2.5/5 Gbps ports or 24 or 48-port switches with up to 16 x 1/2.5/5 Gbps ports, and the remainder of ports capable of 1 Gbps speeds. The former is ideal for future-proofing a network in its entirety, whereas the latter is excellent for implementing 2.5G/5GBASE-T performance to critical areas – such as Wi-Fi 6E/7 APs that feature multi-gig Ethernet ports as standard – whilst maintaining existing Gigabit speeds to devices such as workstations and VoIP phones.
What are the potential pitfalls?
When deploying Multi-Gig Ethernet, it’s vital to ensure the network infrastructure (cabling, switches, device NICs) supports the desired speeds for connection. It is essential genuine 100% copper cables instead of copper-clad aluminum for speeds over distances up to 100 metres.
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CAT5e cables can support 2.5GBASE-T over distances up to 100m and 5GBASE-T over shorter cable runs. They are an economical choice and are often already installed in many buildings, so they don’t necessarily need to be replaced.
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CAT6 cables support 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T over distances up to 100m and provide better performance with less crosstalk.
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CAT6A cables support 2.5GBASE-T, 5GBASE-T, and 10GBASE-T over distances up to 100m, provide better performance, have less crosstalk, they also often have better shielding. Furthermore, CAT6A supports speeds of 10,000 Mbps, so it is even more future-proof for when we eventually end up with even faster speeds to the workstation!
Deploying Multi-Gig Ethernet switching is a great way to drastically improve network performance and bandwidth, helping to create a suitable data network not just now but for many years to come. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, speeds keep getting faster and content is getting more bandwidth-intensive, meaning it is more important than ever to have a network that can adapt to ever-increasing demand.