The first experimental version of Ethernet wired networking in 1973 ran at a connection speed of 2.94 megabits per second (Mbps). By the time Ethernet became an industry standard in 1982, the speed rating had increased to 10 Mbps due to improvements in technology. Ethernet retained this speed rating for more than a decade. Various forms of the standard were given names that began with the number 10, including 10-Base2 and 10-BaseT.

The technology called Fast Ethernet was introduced in the mid-1990s. It was given that name because Fast Ethernet standards support a maximum data rate of 100 Mbps, 10 times faster than traditional Ethernet. Other common names for this standard were 100-BaseT2 and 100-BaseTX.

Fast Ethernet became widely deployed when the need for better LAN performance became critical for universities and businesses. A key element of its success was its ability to coexist with existing network installations. Common network adapters of the time were built to support both traditional and Fast Ethernet. These 10/100 adapters automatically sense the line speed and adjust the connection data rates accordingly.

Just as Fast Ethernet improved on traditional Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet improved on Fast Ethernet, reaching speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. Although 1000-BaseX and 1000-BaseT versions were created in the late 1990s, it took years for Gigabit Ethernet to achieve widespread adoption due to higher costs.