Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, as their names suggest, are two standards for wired network connections. Ethernet technology allows communication between devices through protocols, that is, a common language between them. It is considered the most used standard in local area networks (LAN – Local Area Network) worldwide.
Fast Ethernet
Fast Ethernet compatible networks (also known as 10/100) have a nominal transmission rate of 100 Mbps and are supported by most equipment on the market. Some of its advantages are its ease of implementation, management, and maintenance. Another benefit is that networks and devices of this type are cheaper compared to Gigabit Ethernet. On the other hand, they will be less efficient in transferring heavier data and services such as streaming.
If the internet plan provided by the telephone company has a nominal speed of up to 100 Mbps, the Fast Ethernet type routers fulfill their function well. However, for plans with more than 100 Mbps, the user must invest in Gigabit Ethernet. Otherwise, it will not take advantage of all the bandwidth delivered on the connection.
Gigabit Ethernet
The Gigabit Ethernet (or 10/100/1000) standard was created in 1999 and remained the most recent type of network. Its name comes precisely from the promised speed of 1 Gbps, ten times greater than that offered by Fast Ethernet. The connection quality is one of its main advantages over its predecessors, but it is essential to emphasize that this is a theoretical value. With good equipment and correct installation, the most common is to reach around 900 Mbps.
One of the disadvantages of this model is the cost of technology. Still, it has been falling with the greater availability of products of this type in the market, combined with the increase in the volume of internet plans above 100Mbps — since the standard requires higher capacity equipment and, consequently, more expensive. On the other hand, you will be able to transfer a large amount of data or watch streaming programs without interruption problems.