Gige

GigE, short for Gigabit Ethernet, refers to a family of Ethernet standards that provide data transfer rates up to 1 gigabit per second. The term is used for both general Ethernet networks and specialized applications that require higher bandwidth. The IEEE 802.3 standard defines the physical and link layers for GigE, with common copper-based implementations such as 1000BASE-T and fiber variants like 1000BASE-SX and 1000BASE-LX. Copper runs up to 100 meters per segment, while fiber options support longer distances and greater immunity to electrical noise.

GigE is designed for full-duplex operation and uses standard Ethernet frame formats, enabling compatibility with existing networks and devices. It supports auto-negotiation and Ethernet-based networking features. Power over Ethernet is defined on some GigE variants, allowing data and power to be delivered over a single cable in suitable configurations.

Applications for GigE include corporate LANs and data centers, where 1 Gbps bandwidth remains adequate for many workloads, as well as industrial environments and high-definition video streaming over standard networks. The term GigE Vision commonly refers to a machine-vision standard that uses the Gigabit Ethernet transport to connect cameras to image-processing systems, pairing industry-standard networking with camera-specific data protocols.

History: Gigabit Ethernet standards emerged in the late 1990s and achieved broad adoption in the early 2000s as hardware matured and costs declined. GigE remains a foundational technology for many networks and continues to influence newer high-speed Ethernet families.