Get up to speed on the latest Ethernet capabilities for building and maintaining networks for everything from homes and offices to data centers and server machine rooms. This thoroughly revised, comprehensive guide covers a wide range of Ethernet technologies, from basic operation to network management, based on the authors' many years of field experience.

When should you upgrade to higher speed Ethernet? How do you use switches to build larger networks? How do you troubleshoot the system? This book provides the answers. If you're looking to build a scalable network with Ethernet to satisfy greater bandwidth and market requirements, this book is indeed the definitive guide.Examine the most widely used media systems, as well as advanced 40 and 100 gigabit EthernetLearn about Ethernet's four basic elements and the IEEE standardsExplore full-duplex Ethernet, Power over Ethernet, and Energy Efficient EthernetUnderstand structured cabling systems and the components you need to build your Ethernet systemUse Ethernet switches to expand and improve network designDelve into Ethernet performance, from specific channels to the entire networkGet troubleshooting techniques for problems common to twisted-pair and fiber optic systems

If you're ready to build a large network system, this handy excerpt from Ethernet: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition gets you up to speed on a basic building block: Ethernet switches. Whether you're working on an enterprise or campus network, data center, or Internet service provider network, you'll learn how Ethernet switches function and how they're used in network designs. This brief tutorial also provides an overview of the most important features found in switches, from the basics to more advanced features found in higher-cost and specialized switches. Get an overview of basic switch operation, the spanning tree protocol, and switch performance issues Learn about switch management and some of the most widely used switch features Discover how a hierarchical design can help maintain stable network operations Delve into special-purpose switches, such as multi-layer, access, stacking, and wireless access-point switches Learn about advanced switch features designed for specific networking environments Dive deeper into switches, with a list of protocol and package documentation