Ethernet

Ethernet Connection

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Apple Ethernet Symbol

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An Intel 82574L Gigabit Ethernet NIC, PCI Express x1 card

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Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 1983 as IEEE 802.3. Ethernet has since been refined to support higher bit rates, a greater number of nodes, and longer link distances, but retains much of its original protocol structure and network access method, Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD).

History

The development of Ethernet was started in the 1970s by Robert Metcalfe and his colleagues at Xerox PARC. The goal was to create a technology that could connect multiple computers and devices within a short distance, typically within the same building. The name "Ethernet" was inspired by the concept of the luminiferous aether, which was once thought to be the medium for propagating electromagnetic waves.

Technical Overview

Ethernet uses a range of technologies to transmit data over both copper and fiber optic cables. In its simplest form, Ethernet data transmission involves sending packets of data (frames) directly from one device to another, with each device on the network having a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address. Ethernet frames contain both source and destination MAC addresses to facilitate this.

Topology

Early Ethernet used a bus topology, which connected all devices to a single communication line. This was later replaced by a star topology, which connects all devices to a central hub or switch, reducing the chances of data collisions and improving network efficiency.

Speeds

Ethernet has evolved through several generations, starting from 10 Mbps (10BASE-T), to 100 Mbps (100BASE-TX), 1 Gbps (1000BASE-T), and up to 10 Gbps (10GBASE-T). More recent standards like 40 Gbps (40GBASE-T) and 100 Gbps (100GBASE-T) are used primarily in enterprise and data center environments.

Ethernet Frame Structure

An Ethernet frame includes several key fields: the destination and source MAC addresses, the EtherType field to indicate the protocol being used, and the payload which contains the actual data. It also includes a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to detect any errors in transmission.

Applications

Ethernet is used in a variety of settings, from simple home networks connecting a few devices to the internet, to complex corporate networks linking thousands of computers. It also forms the backbone of many data centers, connecting servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.

Future of Ethernet

The future of Ethernet lies in the continuous development of faster speeds, lower costs, and the integration with other technologies such as cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT). Efforts like the IEEE 802.3 "Ethernet Beyond 100Gb/s" Study Group aim to explore new frontiers in Ethernet speeds, potentially reaching terabit-per-second transmission rates.

Ethernet Resources
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