Using Full-Duplex Ethernet in the Distribution Layer

Using Full-Duplex Ethernet in the Distribution Layer
Full-duplex Ethernet provides equal bandwidth in both directions. But because users typically
work with client/server applications using read/write asymmetrical traffic, arguably the best
performance increase gained by full-duplex connectivity would be in the distribution layer, not
necessarily in the access layer. Nonetheless, the ease with which it can be implemented and the
increase in throughput—no matter how incremental—means that many networks run full
duplex throughout the network.
Full duplex with flow control was created to avoid packets being dropped if the buffers on
an interface fill up before all packets can be processed. However, some vendors might not interoperate,
and the buffering might have to be handled by upper-layer protocols instead.