In the enterprise, this option will enable network managers to scale their packet-based networks from 10Mbps to 10Gbps and leverage their existing Ethernet investments as they increase network performance. The IEEE 802.3ae Task Force Work on the high-speed version began in March 1999. To boost Ethernet's top transmission speed from 1Gbps to 10Gbps, the group has to address a handful of issues. The task force must develop standards for physical-layer chipsets for LAN and WAN connections. These chips, called transceivers , are a key component in sending and receiving data signals over a network.
Distance is another issue.
Before, the technology was used largely in server farms where distance is not as much of an issue. Initially, the choices will be limited to fiber wiring because no one has yet discovered a technically feasible way to handle such high speeds over copper lines. Earlier versions of Ethernet were half duplex, meaning transmissions flowed only one way. Full-duplex connections are needed because so much data is being transmitted. The task forced examined changing Ethernet's framing technique, which packages information in 1,500-byte frames.