An overview of high-speed networking for workstations

The telecommunications industry provides new technologies for GIS (Geographic Information System) workstation upgrades: Fast Ethernet, 100VG-AnyLAN, and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). These network technologies are based on approved standards and have industry backing (alliance for Fast Ethernet). This paper briefly examines these technologies. Fast Ethernet is an extension to its predecessor 10 Mbps Ethernet, providing a 10x increase in transmission rate. 100VG-AnyLAN offers extensions to Ethernet but embraces the Token Ring technology, allowing internetworking and better performance for networked video. ATM takes a radial approach by simplifying the information quantum to a 53-byte cell, resulting in rapid data handling for telecommunications equipment and allowing efficient transport of data, video, and voice communications. Switched Ethernet and Full Duplexing are among the other technologies competing for this market. The ultimate test of usefulness for any technology lies in how they handle the GIS environment requirements; working demonstration systems will help clarify marketing rhetoric and determine which vendor best implemented the standard.