2.5G Ethernet, also known as 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, is a standard for Ethernet networking that allows for data transfer speeds of up to 2.5 Gigabits per second.
In simpler terms: 2.5G Ethernet supports up to 2.5 Gbps speeds and uses an Ethernet connection to do it.
This is a significant improvement over 1 Gigabit Ethernet, which allows for data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second. This is still plenty of speed for some individuals, depending on their Internet usage, but there’s definitely a case for faster speeds. (Especially if you’re paying for higher speed plans!)
To get these faster speeds, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet requires certain hardware and infrastructure. Including:
- A cable modem, router, or cable modem router with a 2.5G port or multi-gig port
- Cat 6 or Cat6E specific cables to transmit this data to your connected devices
What do you need to get 2.5G speed?
First, the hardware:
First and foremost, 2.5G Ethernet requires networking equipment that is capable of supporting these faster data transfer speeds. This means that your network’s routers, switches, modems, etc. must all be 2.5G Ethernet-compatible. In addition, your network’s cables must also support the faster speeds.
Today, this typically means using Category 6 (Cat 6) cables, which are designed to support high-speed data transfer.
Second, the network setup:
Another important factor in reaching 2.5G Ethernet speeds is your network’s infrastructure. (How your network is set up.)
To reach these faster data transfer speeds, your network must have a high-quality infrastructure that is able to handle the increased data traffic. This means that your home network should use multiple access points, as well as enough bandwidth to support the faster speeds.
Why? Because multiple access points and high bandwidth both help increase your overall Internet coverage.
Upgrading to 2.5G – What’s the cost?
Getting 2.5G Ethernet speeds requires a combination of hardware and infrastructure (set up) updates if you don’t have them already. But the upgrade is worth it if you are experiencing slow Internet and unreliable connections.
A great place to start is with Hitron’s CODA56 cable modem that supports 2.5 Gigabit speeds. It is a singular cable modem with a 2.5G multi-gig port that enables you to achieve up to 2.5G speeds. Hitron’s CODA56 modem comes with a Cat 6 Ethernet cord so you don’t have to go out and buy that extra equipment on your own. You have everything you need to get online fast, right out of the box!
Do you have more questions about home networking? Check out Hitron’s other articles on our Learn Page for more topics like this.
