CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71)IT Concepts and TerminologyMedium
A network technician is configuring a new switch and needs to calculate the maximum theoretical data transfer rate for a Gigabit Ethernet port. What is this rate in megabits per second (Mbps)?
- A10 Mbps
- B10000 Mbps
- C1000 Mbps
- D100 Mbps
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 1000 Mbps
Gigabit Ethernet (also known as 1000BASE-T or 1GbE) operates at a nominal speed of 1 Gigabit per second. Since 1 Gigabit is equal to 1000 Megabits, the maximum theoretical data transfer rate is 1000 Mbps.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is the speed for 10BASE-T (Fast Ethernet's predecessor).
- B. This is the speed for 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 Gbps).
- D. This is the speed for Fast Ethernet (100BASE-T).
Gigabit Ethernet Speed
A common standard for wired networks that supports a theoretical maximum data transfer rate of 1 Gigabit per second.
- Also known as 1000BASE-T.
- Operates at 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps).
- Uses twisted-pair copper cabling (Cat5e or better).
Memory trick: Kilobit is thousand, Megabit million, Gigabit billion. Remember the 'Giga' for 1000 Mega!