Not All Gigabit Ethernet Extenders Are Created Equal

By Robert Thompson
3 min read

Netsys' First-to-Market G.fast Ethernet Extender Kit With True Gigabit Speeds

Bob Thompson, founder of Netsys-America

Bob Thompson
Netsys-America, LLC founder and broadband industry marketing and technology expert.

As we prepared to release our first-to-market G.fast Ethernet Extender Kit (NV-450EKIT), I felt it necessary to advise and inform everyone that "Not All Gigabit Ethernet Extenders Are Created Equal."

What Is an Ethernet Extender?

For the purposes of this article, an Ethernet extender is defined as a pair or set of managed or unmanaged modems or devices that extend the reach of an Ethernet LAN connection beyond the standard 328-foot (100 m) distance limitation. Ethernet extenders accomplish this over one or more pairs of twisted-pair network or telephone-grade copper cable.

In relation to Ethernet extenders, the term "Gigabit" may refer to:

  • The upstream, downstream, or aggregate line speed between the two extender units
  • The 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports installed on the extender units

These are not the same thing. A device can include Gigabit Ethernet ports while providing far less than Gigabit bandwidth across the extended copper connection.

What Makes a "True" Gigabit Ethernet Extender?

G.fast is a standards-based technology capable of delivering Gigabit-class bandwidth beyond the standard Ethernet distance limitation over existing copper cabling.

A "true" Gigabit Ethernet extender should provide:

  • Aggregate line-speed capability of 1 Gbps or more
  • Gigabit-capable Ethernet ports
  • Ethernet extension beyond the standard 328-foot (100 m) limitation

Gigabit Ethernet ports alone do not make a product a true Gigabit Ethernet extender. The connection between the extender units must also be capable of Gigabit-class bandwidth.

The NV-450EKIT Difference

The Netsys G.fast Ethernet Extender Kit (NV-450EKIT) was designed around an Intel G.fast chipset and introduced as a first-to-market dual-wave, point-to-point G.fast Ethernet extender kit.

The complete kit includes:

  • One NV-450M CO/Master unit
  • One NV-450S CPE/Slave unit
  • Four 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports per unit
  • The power supplies and cables needed to establish one point-to-point Ethernet link

The NV-450EKIT is ready to deploy in its default configuration without required setup. Web-based management is also available for status monitoring and configuration when needed.

The Netsys NV-450EKIT is a true Gigabit-class Ethernet extender.

NV-450EKIT G.fast Ethernet extender performance over distance

Performance Over Distance

Like all copper-based networking technologies, G.fast performance decreases as cable distance increases. The NV-450EKIT prioritizes higher throughput over short-to-medium copper distances rather than the maximum reach offered by technologies such as VDSL2.

In the original performance testing:

  • Aggregate bandwidth reached Gigabit-class speeds at approximately 328 ft (100 m)
  • Aggregate bandwidth measured approximately 680 Mbps at 656 ft (200 m)
  • Aggregate bandwidth remained approximately 398 Mbps at 1,312 ft (400 m)

Actual results depend on cable quality, distance, interference, and other installation conditions.

View the complete NV-450EKIT Performance Test Report.

Final Thoughts

Technological advances will continue and available line speeds will increase. The important distinction remains the same: Gigabit Ethernet ports do not necessarily mean that an extender provides Gigabit bandwidth over the copper connection.

The Netsys G.fast Ethernet Extender Kit (NV-450EKIT) demonstrates the advantages of G.fast by delivering high-bandwidth point-to-point Ethernet extension over existing two-wire copper cabling. It remains an excellent choice for applications where higher throughput over short-to-medium distances is more important than maximum reach.