What is Multi-Gigabit Ethernet?

https://kb.netgear.com/000049004/What-is-Multi-Gigabit-Ethernet-and-how-can-I-benefit-from-using-NETGEAR-Multi-Gigabit-Ethernet-Switches-in-my-network

What is Multi-Gigabit Ethernet?
In 2016, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) released the IEEE 802.3bz standard, which defines parameters for 2.5-Gigabit and 5-Gigabit Ethernet connections over Category 5E and higher Ethernet cables. Multi-Gigabit Ethernet ports are backward compatible with standard 100 Mbps and Gigabit speeds.

How can I benefit from using NETGEAR Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Switches in my network?
Modern, high-performance network devices such as 5G network cards, gaming computers, desktop computers, servers, network attached storage (NAS) devices, or IEEE 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless access points are capable of 2.5-Gigabit or 5-Gigabit connectivity. With the existing Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet standards, these devices’ potential is wasted:

The existing Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet standards do not allow speeds between 10 Gbps and 1 Gbps. If you connect an 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless access point or other Multi-Gigabit-capable device to a 10-Gigabit switch port, the connection automatically downgrades to 1 Gbps because the device cannot achieve 10 Gbps.
The existing 10-Gigabit Ethernet standard requires Cat 6A or better Ethernet cable for lengths up to 100 meters (328 feet). However, most existing cabling is only Cat 5e or Cat 6, and re-wiring can be costly.
Multi-Gigabit Ethernet switching fixes both problems by allowing a connection to operate at any speed up to the speed of the connected switch port (2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps) over a Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable.

With NETGEAR Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Switches, you can use the full power of your devices without running new cables. Just connect the appropriate port on your NETGEAR Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Switch to a Multi-Gigabit-capable device and your switch selects the fastest supported speed automatically.

For more information about NETGEAR Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Switches, see http://www.netgear.com/landings/multi-gig/.

Last Updated:10/13/2017 | Article ID: 000049004