Ethernet (with comments on Speeds)

“Ethernet” is the signal system protocol that computers, router, printers, (and including wireless ethernet (WiFi) as well) phones, tablets, laptops, and anything and everything else connected use to communicate.

Some Definitions:

• One Mb/s = one million bits per second
• One Gb/s = 1000 Mb/s = one billion bits per second
• 10-Gb Ethernet = up to 10 Gb/s

Some Benchmarks:

• Less than 1 Mb/s → too slow
• 1 to 5 Mb/s → fine for email, web browsing, online shopping
• 5 to 15 Mb/s → streaming, gaming, videoconferencing …the faster the better
• 15 to 30 Mb/s → high quality streaming and gaming; 25 Mb/s should cover HD 3-D video
• 30 to 100 Mb/s → multiple users doing high quality streaming and gaming
• 100+ Mb/s → IT working from home with large data volumes to deal with
• 2000 Mb/s → Current total pipeline into Marlborough from upstream provider
• 2500 Mb/s (2.5 Gb/s) Speed limit: current Marlborough switches can deliver to individual units
• 10 Gb/s Speed limit: Current Malborough backbone capability without upgrading