But the growing volume of traffic on company data networks has increased the need for faster speeds, which Gigabit Ethernet delivers. Businesses also can build and manage their own wide-area Gigabit Ethernet networks using the new switches and leased capacity. Extreme Networks Inc., a pioneer in producing gear that extends Ethernet LANs across metro areas, last week previewed Multiprotocol Label Switching features that it will make available next month on its wide-area Gigabit Ethernet products. Still, not everyone needs Gigabit Ethernet. Hannaford has an all-ATM network for its headquarters and 111 stores, and that's plenty, Homa says.
Some analysts say there are also unresolved quality issues.
But Buena Vista University in Storm Valley, Iowa, is already sold. It has Gigabit Ethernet links in place in all the buildings on its 60-acre campus. The university upgraded from 10-Mbps Ethernet in parts of its network directly to Gigabit Ethernet.