Compaq Netelligent Repeater and Switch Products
C
OMPAQ
N
ETELLIGENT
R
EPEATER AND
S
WITCH
P
RODUCTS
(cont’d.)
3
041A/0996
T
HE
B
ANDWIDTH
C
RUNCH
For most of the 1980s, 10 megabit per second (Mb/s) Ethernet offered sufficient bandwidth for
most network applications. Eventually, the development of client/server applications and
increasing numbers of network connections quickly consumed that bandwidth. Segmentation
technologies were developed to divide networks into smaller
segments
by bridging and routing
network traffic, temporarily relieving network congestion. However, segmentation created a need
for more sophisticated ways to manage enterprise networks.
Today, many organizations use Ethernet
switching
to segment all or part of their networks,
providing a dedicated 10 Mb/s of bandwidth to each individual connection. In fact, Ethernet
switching is currently the fastest growing segment of the networking market, averaging 341%
growth per year. Although Ethernet switching improves the bandwidth crunch for most over-
burdened networks, many newer applications, such as imaging, publishing, and interactive
databases demand a more robust solution. Also, newer PCI-based computers, with their increased
processing power, and multimedia applications, which add audio and video, challenge the once-
adequate capabilities of standard 10 Mb/s switching technology.
To meet growing bandwidth needs,
Fast Ethernet
has emerged as the network technology of
choice. Just as the 80286 processor has evolved to the Pentium (and now the Pentium Pro)
processor, 10 Mb/s Ethernet has evolved to Fast Ethernet.
M
IGRATING TO
F
AST
E
THERNET
Many organizations consider Fast Ethernet the logical migration path from 10 Mb/s Ethernet.
Here are a few reasons why Fast Ethernet wins over competing technologies in the high-speed
networking marketplace:
•
It’s Easy to Migrate
- When you migrate to Fast Ethernet, you don’t need to spend time
learning about the technology. Because Fast Ethernet evolved from standard 10 Mb/s
Ethernet, most of the same rules apply. There also is no need to invest in new management
and diagnostic tools.
•
It’s Ethernet Compatible
- Fast Ethernet uses the same packets and protocols as 10 Mb/s
Ethernet. Therefore, there is no need learn or maintain a new protocol.
•
It’s Plug and Play
- Fast Ethernet supports all major network wiring systems, making it a
“drop-in” enhancement for 10Base-T networks. In addition, the latest PC network controller
cards support both 10 Mb/s and 100 Mb/s modes. Today’s PCs are Fast Ethernet-ready at the
desktop.
•
It’s Cost Effective
- Compared to alternative high-speed networking technologies such as
ATM and FDDI, Fast Ethernet is a bargain. The cost of Fast Ethernet is almost as low as that
of 10 Mb/s Ethernet, yet it offers 10 times the performance. Other high-speed technologies
are at least twice the cost of Fast Ethernet.
The Compaq Netelligent Fast Ethernet product line is the most comprehensive in the market
today. Competitive offerings typically lack breadth of features, support for Fast Ethernet standards
in the product line, or a fully integrated solution. Compaq Netelligent products, which include a
mix of 10Base-T and 100Base-T devices, let you migrate to Fast Ethernet at your own speed.
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