the growing importance of lans and the increasing complexity of desktop computing applications are fueling the need for high performance networks. a number of high-speed lan technologies are proposed to provide greater bandwidth and improve client/server response times.

    among them, fast ethernet, or 100base-t, provides a non-disruptive, smooth evolution from 10base-t technology.

    100mbps fast ethernet is a standard specified by the ieee 802.3 lan committee. it is an extension of the 10mbps ethernet standard with the ability to transmit and receive data at 100mbps, while maintaining the carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (csma/cd) ethernet protocol.