9 - 10 gigabit Ethernet

Posted on 10 Dec 2007 at 11:13

It doesn't matter how you slice and dice the numbers, the quantity of data that a company holds is increasing at a frightening rate every year. Although there are limitations on the maximum throughput that a disc array can support, and Gigabit Ethernet is already commonplace, we have to look to the future. As more and more video comes to the corporate network, bandwidth requirements will continue to escalate. This is increasingly a worry when we have to back up and archive this material in a regulated workspace.

As a speed, 10 gigabits is some way off, except for the most extreme of installations, and is priced beyond the capabilities of most businesses. And in the meantime, it's possible to achieve much by aggregating multiple Gigabit Ethernet circuits together. But we should be aware that prices of Gigabit Ethernet products collapsed as soon as the chipsets became mainstream. And the same will happen at higher speeds.

Make an investment today in Gigabit Ethernet for sure, but be aware that it won't be sufficient even in the short-to-medium term. Be ready to expand bandwidth as necessary, and ensure your key backbones aren't creaking under the load.

Next: 10 - The wireless home

Back to 'Ten techs to watch in 2008'

Author: Stewart Mitchell