HP Procurve - Gigabit to the Desktop
Until recently, the cost of Gigabit Ethernet limited it to the network
centre and its use was reserved for the highest priority applications.
As the availability of Gigabit technologies in both desktop PCs and core
networking equipment becomes standard and more affordable, the benefits
of deploying Gigabit Ethernet – and even 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) –
at the edge of the network are being fully realised.
Deploying Gigabit to the edge of an enterprise network is advantageous not only to desktop users hungry for more bandwidth and faster download speeds, but also to network administrators, who now enjoy powerful incentives for migrating to Gigabit Ethernet.
For users, Gigabit to the edge means:
- Reduced transfer times of large data files from minutes to seconds, increasing productivity with simplified workflow and decreasing time to market and product lifecycle development
- Instant access to business assets and resources
- Easy access to and sharing of bandwidth-intensive applications, such as computer-aided design (CAD), video editing, animation and high-resolution imaging.
- Improved ability to multitask within multiple applications. For example, one user might simultaneously use video conferencing software to watch a CEO telecast, check e-mail, surf the Internet and update a CAD file on the network
- Enhanced access to mobile computing solutions, from wherever users are connecting
For network administrators, Gigabit to the edge means:
- Higher network performance with less costly downtime and the elimination of frustrated users waiting for the network.
- Robust security at the network edge with secure transactions taking place at 10 times the speed of 100Base-TX.
- Increased flexibility to do more with the entire network.
- A seamless transition from 100Mbit and 10Mbit technologies to Gigabit Ethernet, leveraging existing investments in network infrastructure.
- Flexibility and an affordable price in upgrading to Gigabit Ethernet all at once or incrementally.
With the benefits that Gigabit to the edge provides both users and network
administrators, the reasons for migrating to Gigabit Ethernet are clear.
With recent improvements in three key areas – ease of deployment, network
performance and affordability – deploying Gigabit Ethernet to the network
edge is no longer out of reach for most organisations. And by migrating,
these organisations can experience improved profitability through a more
productive workforce.