A WAN (Wide Area Network) speed of 100Mbps full duplex signifies that the network connection can transmit and receive data simultaneously at a rate of 100 Megabits per second.
Understanding Full Duplex
Full duplex communication means that data can be sent and received at the same time. This is different from half duplex, where data can only be sent or received at a given moment, but not both simultaneously.
Key Aspects of 100Mbps Full Duplex:
- Simultaneous Transmission: Data can be transmitted and received at 100Mbps concurrently.
- Symmetrical Bandwidth: According to the reference, a switch supporting 100Mbps full duplex provides symmetrical bandwidth, enabling it to transmit and receive at a rate of 100Mbps.
- Asymmetrical Consideration: The reference highlights that even in full duplex, some network switches may have asymmetrical bandwidth splits (e.g., 70Mbps transmit and 30Mbps receive). However, a true 100Mbps full-duplex connection implies symmetry.
Benefits of Full Duplex
Full duplex provides higher effective throughput compared to half duplex because it eliminates the need to wait before transmitting after receiving data, thus reducing collisions and increasing network efficiency.
