Gigabit Ethernet, also known as "gigabit-Ethernet-over-copper" or 1000Base-T, is simply a version of Ethernet that runs at speeds up to 1,000 Megabits per second, i.e. 10 times faster than 100Base-T.

The ruling IEEE standard for gigabit Ethernet, 802.3z, was approved in 1998, but it wasn't until June 1999 that the 1000BASE-T standard (IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Standard for Gigabit Ethernet on Category 5 copper) was approved. It was this standard that moved gigabit Ethernet out of the server rooms and backbone closets and enabled it to be run pretty much anywhere that 10/100 Ethernet is run today.

Before 1000Base-T, gigabit Ethernet required using either fiber-optic or special shielded copper cables, neither of which was practical for everyday LAN construction. These versions (1000Base-SX, 1000Base-LX, and 1000Base-CX) are still in use today in specialized applications, but we won't be focusing on them in this NTK.

The 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet task did their work well, and were able to come up with a standard that is, for all intents and purposes, a ten times faster version of 100Base-T. 1000Base-T was also designed so that it is backward-compatible with 10/100 equipment, and uses CAT-5 (or better) wiring (the stuff that you're using for your current LAN).