Whenever anyone talks about running Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop, I'm reminded of the Mel Brooks science-fiction parody "Spaceballs." You know, the scene where the evil Dark Helmet, in hot pursuit of his prey, orders his men to push their spacecraft to its utmost limit, all the way to "ludicrous speed."
O.K., maybe you don't remember - but the point is that Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop seems, well, a little ludicrous. Kevin Tolly actually makes this point in his Network World column this week. He talks about how desktop computers simply can't use up an entire gigabit per second of bandwidth. He suggests that equipment vendors that are promoting Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop have their hype machines in overdrive. Of course, he's right on both counts. But keep in mind that network equipment vendors are starting to talk about Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop in earnest because, with copper-based Gigabit, it is becoming possible and even economically feasible to start making the connections. That doesn't mean your PC can use it up, and it doesn't automatically mean you should run Gigabit Ethernet to the desk - not yet, anyway. Coincidentally - and I believe it is a coincidence - Network World this week also ran a column by Jeff Shapiro that takes a look at the possibilities created by falling Gigabit Ethernet prices. Shapiro says it's only a matter of time before the gigabits start flying. He says we'll all have "petabit backbones with terabit drops" in five years. His timing may be exaggerated, but you get his point. Ludicrous? You be the judge.RELATED LINKS
In addition to writing this newsletter, Jeff Caruso edits Network World's e-mail newsletters from his office on New York's Long Island. If you would like to make suggestions about newsletter format or content, or even just express your opinion on today's topic, you can reach Jeff at jcaruso@nww.com.
High Speed LANs archive
Past newsletters.
Network World, 06/12/00. Shapiro - Gigabit Ethernet on the fast track to the desktop
Network World, 06/12/00. Device stretches Gig Ethernet
Network World, 06/05/00. Foundry ships downsized Gigabit Ethernet module
Network World, 05/22/00. Competition and copper fuel SwitchMetric gains
Network World, 05/08/00. Archive of Network World on High Speed LANs newsletters
