Due to increases in processing power and storage capacity, the personal computer now has the ability to handle high quality graphics and complex multimedia applications. When these files are stored and shared on a network, transfers to and from clients leads to high utilisation of network resources.

Traditional networks operate between 4 and 16 Megabits per second (Mbps). More than 40% of all personal computers in the world are connected to an Ethernet network (International Data Corporation, 1996). Traditional Ethernet networks operate at 10Mbps. The other main network technology is Token Ring which runs at either 4 or 16Mbps. At these speeds companies that produce extremely large files, such as a medical centre or desktop publishing company, can experience long delays when sending such data across their network.

These delays have led to a need for High-Speed Networks. There are a number of different technologies available, including Fast-Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Spaniol, O, Architecture and Protocols for High-speed networks, Kluwer Academic Publishers

Moving to either version of Fast-Ethernet will prove to be an exercise needing considerable investment. Both technologies require new workstation and server network interface cards, as well as new hubs. Companies with older style cabling will need to upgrade to a supported standard, and may need a bridge or router to convert to existing networks.

Some topics in this essay:
FDDI ATM, CSMA/CD Token-passing, Summary Client/Server, Hewlett Packard, Fast-Ethernet Arguments, Detection CMSA/CD, Ethernet Fast-Ethernet, Costs Moving, High-Speed Networking, Capabilities Major, high-speed networking, 'fast ethernet, distributed data interface, transfer mode atm, personal computers, network technology, mode atm, network traffic, distributed data, interface fddi, fibre distributed data, data interface fddi, network technologies, data interface, asynchronous transfer mode,