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Everything you need to know about Multi-Gig Ethernet

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Multi-gigabit Ethernet provides higher bandwidth than the 1Gb data rates utilizing the existing cable infrastructure preventing expensive infrastructure upgrades. Multi-gigabit Ethernet has five different data rates: 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps and 10Gbps (up to 5Gbps is supported in Cat5e cables). This blog reviews what Multi-Gigabit Ethernet is and presents common applications for Multi-Gigabit connectivity.

From the 10 Mbps Ethernet released in1980 by the DEC-Intel-Xerox consortium, the speed of Ethernet has increased due to the rising bandwidth demands. Following the development of narrow coaxial Ethernet, various models such as twisted pair cable and fiber optic cable were developed for 10 Mbps systems. Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and now Multi-gigabit Ethernet evolved through several stages.

IEEE introduced Fast Ethernet in 1995 under the 802.3u standard, with a transmission speed of 100 Mbps. IEEE introduced Gigabit Ethernet in 1999, and it has a transmission speed of 1000 Mbps (or 1Gbps).

Multi-gigabit Ethernet aka Multi-rate Ethernet was released in the form of the IEEE802.3bz standard in 2016. The multi-gigabit Ethernet has five different data rates: 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps and 10Gbps (up to 5Gbps is supported in Cat5e cables). Multi-gigabit Ethernet provides higher bandwidth than the 1Gb data rates utilizing the existing cable infrastructure preventing expensive infrastructure upgrades. Multi-gig Ethernet is compatible with Cat5e cabling infrastructure and above, network speeds up to 5Gbps can be achieved at maximum lengths (100m) with Cat5e/Cat6 cables and up to 10Gbps at maximum lengths (100m) with Cat6a cable.

Multi-gigabit Ethernet connects modern, high-performance, bandwidth demanding network devices such as small cells, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, surveillance cameras and Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points that require greater than 1Gb and up to 10Gbps of bandwidth.

Do you need Multi-Gig connections？

The network infrastructure must adapt to a combination of legacy and modern device types and applications that require high bandwidth and power, such as connecting to the latest Wi-Fi 6/6EAccess Points, Small Cells and IP surveillance cameras. If you want the fastest Ethernet connection and the ability to add new devices with high bandwidth to the network that require a data rate of more than 1Gbps and have to be backward compatible, then you need Multi-Gig connections.

Why multi-gigabit Ethernet is required in 2023

Multi-gigabit Ethernet is needed in 2023 because of modern and high performance network devices with higher bandwidth that are being developed requiring the need for mulit-gigabit networking equipment. Therefore, the network infrastructure must be upgraded to support the growing demands of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, small cell devices and Wi-Fi access devices.

Omnitron Multi-Gigabit / Multi-Rate Media Converters

Omnitron has purposely designed four classes of multi-gigabit aka multi-rate media converters with models that function as PoE injectors. The Omnitron Multi-Gigabit / Multi-Rate Media Converters follow market demand for high PoE power and multi-gigabit/multi-rate high bandwidth for the latest Wi-Fi 6/6E access points. These new multi-gigabit / multi-rate media converters support multi-rate speeds of 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, and 10Gbps.

Multi-Gigabit Media Converter

The Multi-Gigabit/Multi-Rate media converter features up to two multi-gigabit/multi-rate RJ-45 access/user ports and one 1/10G SFP/SFP+ (Small Form Pluggable) uplink port that supports various pluggable fiber transceivers.

The multi-gigabit/multi-rate RJ-45 access/user ports support multi-gigabit/multi-rate speeds of 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps and 10Gbps. The 1/10G SFP/SFP+ uplink port supports 10/100/1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-T, 2.5BASE-T, 5GBASE-T and 10GBASE-T copper transceivers and 1G and 10G multimode or single-mode fiber, dual or single-fiber transceivers in standard, CWDM and DWDM wavelengths.

Multi rate Multi gigabit

Omnitron Multi-Gigabit Media Converter Benefits

The Multi-Gigabit and Multi-Rate media converters are backward compatible, can be connected to the existing cable infrastructure boosting speed and performance saving CAPEX and OPEX.

Six different Ethernet data rates
Auto-negotiate to find ideal data rate for the devices
Backward compatible
Use existing cabling infrastructure with no forklifts
Supports PoE (Power over Ethernet) up to 100W for PoE Powered devices (PDs)
CAPEX and OPEX saving

Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Applications

Multi-gigabit Ethernet can be used in many different networking applications. Below are several applications for multi-gigabit/multi-rate media converters and PoE media converters.

Omnitron Multi-Gigabit Media Converter Application

In this application, each multi-gigabit/multi-rate media converter is located near an AC power source and connects to a 10G fiber switch. The multi-gigabit media converters provide high-speed connectivity to small cell devices that require up to 10Gbps of bandwidth, IP surveillance cameras and Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points.

Combined Application 10G S M R 1

Omnitron Multi-Gigabit PoE Media Converter Application

In each PoE application below, the Multi-Gigabit/Multi-Rate PoE media converter is installed up to 100m away from the PoE Powered Device (PD) and connects over a UTP cable to supply power.

Security and Wireless

In this application, outdoor IP surveillance cameras and Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points are installed throughout a large facility. A 10G fiber switch is used to distribute a fiber link from a control room to multi-gigabit/multi-rate PoE media converters with fiber ports.

The multi-gigabit/multi-rate media converters provide up to 100W of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) to an IP camera and Wireless Access Point at each location, which is located up to 100 meters from the media converter. The camera and access point have full bandwidth capability and use the 10G fiber uplink port on each multi-gigabit and multi-rate PoE media converter.

Multi Gig application with XM5 3sfp security and wireless 1

Small Cell

5G Small cell devices are increasing their demand for both power and bandwidth requirements. Speeds of 10Gbps and power of 100W are common with today’s small-cell devices.

In this application, high-speed small cell devices that require up to 10Gbps bandwidth are installed inside several buildings. A fiber switch is used to distribute a fiber link to each multi-gigabit and multi-rate media converter, which provides up to 100 watts and speeds up to 10Gbps on the RJ-45 user ports.

Multi Gig application with XM5 3sfp small cell 1

Conclusion

If you need to add modern and high performance network devices or upgrade your network, consider using Omnitron multi-gigabit PoE media converters. They will allow you to connect older equipment without having to do any complicated wiring and can provide power over Ethernet for new devices that need it. All OmniConverter® 10G Multi-Gigabit aka Multi-rate Media Converters are designed and manufactured in the USA, comply with TAA and NDAA, feature a lifetime warranty and come with free 24/7 technical support.

If you have any future questions about Multi-Gig or if you are still unsure about which of the products is best suited to your network, contact Omnitron Systems technicians to get pre-sale support. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to answer your questions.

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