Using Gigabit Ethernet in the Enterprise

Using Gigabit Ethernet in the Enterprise
Cisco’s Enterprise model shows a number of different blocks, as defined in Chapter 12, “The
Campus Network.” Gigabit Ethernet has value in a number of these different blocks.
The Server Module is a natural choice, because the high demand placed on the network
bandwidth by some modern applications would certainly be able to utilize gigabit availability.
The Building Distribution Module carries large amounts of inter-VLAN traffic, and as the 20/80
rule kicks in even more, this additional traffic would benefit from gigabit-speed data transfer.
The Core Module is responsible for connecting all other modules, and it is certain that gigabit
throughput would suit the three general principles of core data requirements: speed, speed,
and more speed!
The Management Module, Building Module, and Edge Distribution Module are less likely
at the moment to need gigabit speeds. Most management machines have less data to transfer
than applications, most users would be more than satisfied with 100Mbps full duplex, and the
slower WAN speeds at the edge of the network does not need serving by gigabit transfer. Nonetheless,
there is rarely such a thing as an average network, and you would be well advised to consider
carefully where you might get the best from this exciting technology.