My TN Connection

The ink was hardly dry on the 10Gbase-T (10 gigabit Ethernet over UTP) standard and the industry discussion swung to the next big thing – 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet. While the latest technology being developed always makes for interesting discussion, it is the deployable technology that exists today that receives the most day-to-day conversation. To that end, we are only just beginning to see 10 gigabit Ethernet actually being deployed in local area network (LAN) environments.

The IEEE standards organization recently ratified the IEEE802.3an-2006 reference standard defining 10GBase-T allowing for 10 gigabits per second data transmission over Category-6a unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling at up to 100 meters distance. Since this standard is relatively new and coupled with the fact that the fiber standards and interfaces continue to be refined, I thought it may be beneficial to review some of the different copper and fiber standards and interfaces associated with the different 10GBase standards. continue »

Keywords: 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit, 1000Base-X, 10Gb fiber, 10GBase, 10GBase-X, 40 Gigabit, cabling, Cat 5, Cat 6, Category-6a, Data Center, Fiber, IEEE, LAN, Media Converter, Media Converters, Products, SC, SFP, ST, Switches, Transceiver, unshielded twisted pair (UTP), XENPAK, XFP

One of the most common uses of media converters is to aid in the integration of new technology into legacy systems. This can take several forms but typically the new technology might be a new device designed to interface with fiber optic cable, and the legacy system might be an existing copper infrastructure connecting older and slower networking equipment. A legacy system is generally thought of as an existing computer system which continues to be actively used because a business or organization does not feel the need to replace the system. Since these systems are suitably performing their intended functions, they often get overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance and updates. Only when the user discovers that peripheral parts supporting these systems are no longer available, are these systems scheduled for replacement, but even then, the replacement project may not receive funding for several more years. continue »

Keywords: AUI ports, Connectivity, Ethernet, IEEE, Legacy Systems, Legacy Systems Support, Media Converters, Networking Equipment, Transceiver, Transition Networks