Powering the Modern Campus: The Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Advantage

Introduction: The Bottleneck in the Campus

Within the modern enterprise campus, the demands on the network access layer have intensified dramatically. The proliferation of high-performance Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and now Wi-Fi 7, coupled with an increasing density of powerful endpoint devices (laptops, workstations) and a growing ecosystem of IoT devices, means that the traditional 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) connection is rapidly becoming a significant bottleneck.⁵⁵ A single next-generation access point can aggregate wireless traffic far exceeding 1Gbps, rendering a 1GbE uplink insufficient and negating the benefits of the wireless investment.⁵⁷

While upgrading the entire campus access layer to 10GbE offers a substantial speed increase, it often necessitates a costly and disruptive replacement of the existing copper cabling infrastructure with Category 6a (Cat6a) or fiber optic cables.⁵⁷ For many organizations with extensive deployments of Cat5e or Cat6 cabling, such a "rip and replace" approach is financially or logistically prohibitive. This creates a critical need for a solution that can deliver speeds beyond 1GbE using the infrastructure already in place.

Enter Multi-Gigabit Ethernet (mGig)

Multi-Gigabit Ethernet (mGig), formally standardized as IEEE 802.3bz (NBASE-T), provides the solution to this access layer bottleneck.⁵⁷ It enables intermediate speeds between 1GbE and 10GbE, specifically 2.5Gbps (2.5GBASE-T) and 5Gbps (5GBASE-T), over the existing Cat5e and Cat6 copper cables that are prevalent in most campus environments.⁵⁷ Some mGig ports also support 10Gbps (10GBASE-T), typically over Cat6a cabling.

The key benefits of mGig technology include ⁵⁶:

• Increased Bandwidth: Delivering 2.5 to 5 times the speed of traditional Gigabit Ethernet, mGig provides the necessary capacity to support high-throughput Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 access points, demanding applications (like high-resolution video streaming or large file transfers), and high-density device environments.⁵⁵
• Leverages Existing Cabling: Perhaps the most significant advantage is its ability to operate over standard Cat5e (up to 2.5Gbps, sometimes 5Gbps over shorter distances) and Cat6 cabling (up to 5Gbps, sometimes 10Gbps over shorter distances).⁵⁷ This allows organizations to significantly upgrade network performance without the massive cost and disruption associated with rewiring the campus.⁵⁷
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) Support: mGig ports typically support various PoE standards, including PoE (15.4W), PoE+ (30W), and Cisco's Universal PoE (UPOE) or the IEEE 802.3bt standard (PoE++) delivering 60W or even 90W per port.⁵⁸ This is crucial for powering next-generation Wi-Fi APs, high-resolution security cameras, VDI clients, digital signage, and other power-hungry devices directly over the network cable, eliminating the need for separate power circuits.⁵⁸
• Backward Compatibility & Auto-Negotiation: mGig ports are designed to be backward compatible, automatically negotiating the highest possible speed supported by both the switch port and the connected device (e.g., 10Gbps, 5Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 1Gbps, 100Mbps, 10Mbps).⁵⁷ This ensures interoperability with older devices while providing maximum speed for newer ones.

Multi-Gigabit Ethernet represents a pragmatic and powerful upgrade path for the campus access layer. It bridges the gap between 1GbE and 10GbE, unlocking significant performance gains by maximizing the potential of the existing copper cable plant, which is a substantial investment for most organizations.⁵⁷

Arista's Multi-Gigabit Campus Switches

Arista Networks, Intelligent Visibility's primary partner for campus LAN and Wi-Fi, offers a robust portfolio of Cognitive Campus PoE switches equipped with mGig capabilities, designed to integrate seamlessly into their broader network architecture.⁶²

Key examples include:

• Arista 720XP Series: These fixed-configuration switches are often tailored for high-density access layer deployments. Models like the CCS-720XP-48ZC2 typically feature a mix of 1G PoE+ ports and a significant number of mGig ports (supporting 2.5G, 5G, and sometimes 10G) with higher power UPOE capabilities, making them ideal for connecting demanding devices like Wi-Fi 6E/7 access points.⁶³

• Arista 750X Series: This modular chassis platform provides flexibility for campus distribution or core layers. It offers various line cards, including options with 48 ports of mGig (100M/1G/2.5G with 60W PoE) or 10G-T (1/2.5/5/10G with 60W PoE), alongside 1G/90W PoE options.⁶² This allows for scalable, high-performance designs tailored to specific campus needs.

• Arista 710P Series: These compact, often fan-less switches are designed for deployment outside the traditional wiring closet, such as in conference rooms, retail spaces, or quiet office areas. Specific models within this series include mGig ports (up to 5Gbps) with PoE/PoE+ support, extending high-speed connectivity discreetly to the edge.⁶⁴

Beyond the mGig ports themselves, Arista switches bring additional value through ⁶²:

• Arista EOS®: The same consistent, resilient, and programmable operating system runs across all Arista platforms, simplifying network administration and automation.

• CloudVision® Management: All campus switches are managed, monitored, and automated through Arista CloudVision (specifically CV-CUE for campus), providing a unified view and consistent operational workflows across wired and wireless infrastructure.

• Cognitive PoE: Arista switches feature intelligent power management, dynamically allocating PoE budgets based on device needs and ensuring continuous power delivery even during switch reloads (on supported models).

Arista's approach integrates mGig technology into a cohesive, intelligently managed campus fabric, offering more than just faster ports. The consistency of EOS and the unified management via CloudVision provide significant operational advantages.⁶²

Note: Specific port counts, PoE capabilities, and speeds vary by exact model within each series. This table provides illustrative examples.

Cisco/Meraki Multi-Gigabit Options

It's important to acknowledge that other vendors, notably Cisco with its Catalyst switch lines (e.g., 9200, 9300, 9400 series) and potentially Cisco Meraki switches, also offer Multi-Gigabit Ethernet capabilities with various PoE options.⁵⁸ These solutions cater to organizations invested in the Cisco ecosystem. However, within the context of Intelligent Visibility's strategic partnerships, the focus remains on the integrated benefits provided by the Arista campus portfolio managed via CloudVision.

Designing for Multi-Gigabit: Professional Services Integration 

Successfully deploying Multi-Gigabit Ethernet involves more than simply swapping out switches. A strategic approach is required to ensure the investment delivers the expected performance gains.

Key considerations include ⁹:

• Cabling Assessment: While mGig leverages existing cables, the quality and length of Cat5e/Cat6 runs impact achievable speeds. A thorough assessment is needed to verify cable integrity and determine realistic performance expectations for different segments of the network.

• PoE Budgeting: High-power Wi-Fi 6E/7 APs and other devices can draw significant power (60W-90W).⁶² Accurate calculation of PoE budgets per switch and wiring closet is critical to ensure sufficient power delivery.

• Uplink Capacity: Access layer switches equipped with mGig ports need adequate uplink bandwidth (often 10G, 25G, 40G, or 100G) to the distribution or core layers to avoid creating new bottlenecks.

• Network Topology: Designing the access layer density and overall network topology must account for the increased bandwidth and traffic patterns enabled by mGig.

Intelligent Visibility's Professional Services play a vital role in navigating these complexities.⁹ Our experts provide:

• Campus LAN Design & Architecture Validation: Designing new mGig deployments or validating existing plans, ensuring alignment with best practices and business needs.

• Readiness Assessments: Evaluating existing cabling infrastructure, power capacity, and switch capabilities to determine mGig feasibility and requirements.

• Platform Comparisons: Providing unbiased analysis if multiple vendor options are being considered.

• Deployment & Cutover Services: Managing the physical installation, configuration, and migration to new mGig switches.

Investing in mGig without proper planning can lead to suboptimal results. IVI's PS ensures the underlying infrastructure is prepared, the design is sound, and the deployment is executed smoothly, maximizing the return on your mGig investment.⁹

Conclusion

The era of Gigabit-only access in the campus is drawing to a close. Multi-Gigabit Ethernet provides a crucial, cost-effective upgrade path, delivering 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, or even 10Gbps speeds over existing copper cabling infrastructure while supporting essential PoE capabilities. Arista Networks offers a comprehensive portfolio of mGig-enabled switches, integrated within the Cognitive Campus framework and managed by CloudVision, providing intelligent and resilient solutions for various campus deployment needs. To ensure the success and maximize the benefits of an mGig deployment, partnering with experts like Intelligent Visibility for strategic design and implementation is key. In the next part, we'll explore the wireless technologies, starting with Wi-Fi 6E, that are driving the demand for these faster wired connections.