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When it comes to local area networking, there can be no doubts over the dominance of Ethernet. Whether at home or in the workplace, it is a technology that has set the standard for connectivity over the last 40 years.
Despite its age, Ethernet shows little sign of experiencing any wane in its popularity, even in the face of a rise in wireless connectivity. In fact, there is plenty of evidence to suggest there could yet be more advancements in the technology.
Higher bandwidth, lower cost
One of the key elements behind Ethernet's success has been the ability to provide high-bandwidth connections for businesses at an affordable cost, making it the ideal choice for LAN connections.
Carrier Ethernet 1.0 and 2.0 have even widened the reach beyond local networks, providing the possibility of even greater speeds.
Indeed faster Ethernet is a goal that appears to constantly be on the horizon for experts. 2010 and 2011 saw the widespread arrival of a 100Gbit standard, but that has not stopped the search for even faster services.
Reports have already suggested that 400Gbit and 1Tbit Ethernet could soon become a reality, developed with the aim of further simplifying automated service delivery, which would make Ethernet all the more valuable to business users.
One of the most prominent trends to have increased in popularity recently is the cloud and Ethernet could help to increase service provision, offering a more responsive connection.
The faster speeds of Ethernet means it is all the more likely that it will have a telling role in the overall adoption of the cloud.
By potentially latching on to the popularity of new trends, it seems clear that the future of Ethernet is most likely assured.
1Tbps within reach
In terms of how fast Ethernet could go, some experts have predicted that speeds could increase to 1Tbps by the end of the next decade, including the Ethernet Alliance.
The group told The Platform's Timothy Prickett-Morgan recently that the 25 Gbps speed touted last year by the Ethernet Consortium should be ratified between now and 2020, along with 50 Gbps, 200 Gbps and 400 Gbps.
However, there is a real feeling that in order for Ethernet to reach those breakneck speeds, it will require 100 Gbps to settle down.
But the Ethernet Alliance's roadmap has shown a recent willingness to have multi-mode fibre ports carrying 25, 50, 200 and 400 Gbps lanes (distances up to 100 metres).
It added that the single mode fibres will run distances out to as much as 10 km (for the proposed 400 GBASE-LRN standard).
For the 25 and 40 Gbps twisted pair connections to work, it will also, according to roadmap, require a Cat8 cable.
After 40 years of being at the forefront of networking technology, it seems there is plenty of life left in Ethernet yet.
