What IEEE standard is referred to as 802.3z?

The IEEE standard 802.3z specifically refers to Gigabit Ethernet implemented over fiber optic cables. This standard established the framework for transmitting data at rates of 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second) using both fiber optic media types such as Single-Mode and Multi-Mode fiber.

Gigabit Ethernet over fiber provides advantages such as higher bandwidth, longer distances, and reduced electromagnetic interference compared to copper solutions. This aligns with the growing demand for higher-speed network connections, particularly in data centers and high-performance networking environments.

While Fast Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet over UTP are related technologies, they are associated with different standards (IEEE 802.3u for Fast Ethernet and IEEE 802.3ae for 10 Gigabit Ethernet). The term "Ethernet" itself broadly covers a range of technologies but does not specifically indicate the capabilities or cabling types associated with Gigabit rates over fiber. Thus, the distinction made in the context of 802.3z is essential to understanding modern networking standards and the evolution of Ethernet technology.