Considering the many complexities surrounding issues related to computer networking, perhaps the single issue upon which everyone can agree is the ever-increasing need for more bandwidth.

Since its inception, Gigabit Ethernet has been a dominant factor in improving network performance. Originally coming to market as a fiber-only technology, GbE has been mainly deployed in the backbone. In recent months, however, the copper version of GbE has begun to make a significant impact on the market. Incorporating Full Duplex transmission and Flow Control to limit loss of data packets, GbE has become a viable desktop solution. According to recent market research, Gigabit Ethernet usage is expected to follow the same rapid growth trend as did Fast Ethernet during the last decade.

The expansion of GbE to the edge of the network will, in many cases, provide measurable improvements in performance for a variety of applications and users. The cost of GbE has fallen so dramatically that it is no longer such a significant factor in a deployment decision.

In the foreseeable future, it is conceivable that GbE equipment will actually be more affordable than its 10/100 predecessors.

Gigabit Ethernet is 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) and 100 times faster than regular Ethernet (10Mbps). Other advantages of GbE are:

• Copper GbE utilizes the existing infrastructure, reducing the cost of implementation.
• The installed base of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet interoperate smoothly with GbE products.
• The increased bandwidth eliminates bottlenecks in the network resulting in improved network performance.
• Large files and applications are easily utilized over the network.
• User productivity and satisfaction is improved.

WideBand Corporation offers several Gigabit options, including the WB1000T32PRO, the WB1000T64PRO, and the WB1000TWSPRO 10/100/1000 network adapters, and the eG8GPRO and eG16GPRO, the WB8G2CM, the WB24T2EML3, and the WB24T2EM switches.