A Gigabit Ethernet switch is a type of network switch that supports Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, which offers data transfer speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps). It provides a faster and more reliable network connection compared to Fast Ethernet switches. Gigabit Ethernet switches are commonly used in environments where high-speed data transfer is essential, such as in large-scale networks, data centers, and multimedia-rich applications. These switches allow for faster file transfers, smoother video streaming, and improved network performance overall.