Ethernet Over Copper, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

Ethernet over Copper

Also known as EoC, Ethernet over Copper is an Ethernet Wide Area Network connection that links multiple business locations to deliver a high-speed dedicated Internet connection. As its name suggests, copper wires are used to transmit data via the Internet to different computers.

Although the technology has been around for some time, it is only recently that its popularity is beginning to grow. Dubbed one of the ‘most practical’ options available for connecting businesses to a quick and reliable network, Ethernet over Copper provides higher bandwidths at lower prices. This winning combo is made possible by an increasing number of competitive providers offering this service as well as the added efficiency of transmitting data over copper wiring.

Fast Ethernet

Original Ethernet technology only supported 10Mb per second. Fast Ethernet, also known as 100Mb Ethernet, supports an impressive maximum data rate of 100Mb per second – which is also the reason it is named Fast Ethernet. As the call for greater Local Area Network performance became crucial to businesses and universities in the mid-90’s, Fast Ethernet began to be widely deployed.
An important factor in the success of Fast Ethernet technology was its capability to coexist with existing network installations. As a result, a number of modern network adapters support both Fast and traditional Ethernet via 10/100 adapters. These adapters (which get their name from the supported speeds of traditional and Fast Ethernet) typically sense the line speed automatically and amend appropriately.

Gigabit Ethernet

Similar to how Fast Ethernet enhanced conventional Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet improves on Fast Ethernet tenfold, supporting a maximum data rate of 1000Mb (1Gb) per second. Otherwise known as 1000Mb Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet is an extension to the family of Ethernet computer networking and communication standards. Despite previous beliefs that such speeds could only be attained via fiber optic or other elite cables, this service can be employed on regular twisted pair copper cable.

Both traditional and Fast Ethernet services continue to be sufficient for many businesses and, as a result, are still commonly implemented. Consequently, this slows the adoption rates of Gigabit Ethernet services and is the main reason why today it is typically only found in research institutions.

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Source:  Ethernet Solutions

Ethernet over Copper Solution

It’s no surprise that the popularity of Ethernet over Copper services has skyrocketed since it was first introduced into the market. For one thing, it dramatically undercuts TDM access prices, providing more bandwidth for your buck, and it also eliminates the complexity of T1/SONET or IP interfaces by offering a familiar handoff to the customer’s on-premise equipment. In addition, Ethernet over Copper offers greater visibility into the network for easier management, and deployment and provisioning are a great deal simpler. And (as if that wasn’t enough), to top it off, circuit installation time can be as quick as two weeks – compared to a T1 which can take months to install.

When it comes to midrange capacity options, Ethernet over Copper offers the most flexibility around – even if bandwidth-on-demand functionality is scarce. This is due in part to the fact that Ethernet over Copper is available in quite a few flavors, ranging from simple Ethernet over Copper, to Ethernet over Copper over NxT1, DSL, and/or NxDS3/DS3. For these flavors, the typical speed of a bonded circuit varies from 2 to 30Mb per second, although occasionally providers employ additional bonding to further increase these rates.

Pricing for Ethernet over Copper is unbeatable as well, with 3 to 10Mb per second segments usually costing anywhere from 10 to 40% less than Ethernet over fiber or NxT1. According to Frost & Sullivan’s senior industry analyst, Roopashree Honnachari, where you might pay $800 for bundling two T1s, with Ethernet over Copper you get 5Mb per second for $600. Honnachari went on to say that the real advantage is that “the price per mbps is no longer increasing linearly.”

The potential target market for Ethernet over Copper is massive. Roughly 80% of all US businesses require more than one or two T1s-worth of access capacity, but lack fiber. This makes them perfect candidates for Ethernet over Copper because it is quicker and easier to deploy than TDM access, but equally reliable, particularly in remote or rural locations.

So what’s the catch? Ethernet over Copper’s biggest downside is that the capacity/signal-to-noise ratio is distance-sensitive, and declines past a certain point from the provider’s central office (CO). In other words, depending upon your desired speed, full-speed Ethernet over Copper is ideal for locations that are 10,000 to 12,000 feet from the CO. However, the capacity and distance can be extended to some extent through bonding additional pairs of copper.

Are you interested in finding an Ethernet solution for your unique business? Give one of our professional account managers a call today! We partner with the leading providers of Ethernet solutions to help you find the ideal service at the best available price.

Source: Ethernet over Copper Solution