What is Ethernet?

Ethernet is a family of physical and data-link layer technologies for Local Area Networks (LANs) that is used to transport streams of data. It is a contention-based media access method that allows all hosts on a network to share the same link’s bandwidth. Ethernet uses both Data Link and Physical layer specifications.

Ethernet uses a protocol called Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD), which helps devices share the bandwidth evenly while preventing two devices from transmitting simultaneously on the same network medium.

The type of network cabling and signaling specifications described in Ethernet were first developed by Xerox in the late 1970, which were later revised in IEEE 802.3

IEEE 802.3 is a standard specification for Ethernet, a method of physical communication in a local area network (LAN). In general, 802.3 specifies the physical media and the working characteristics of Ethernet, what is commonly known as the CSMA/CD protocol.

Four data rates are currently defined for operation over optical fiber and twisted-pair cables in IEEE 802.3:

10 Mbps         10Base-T Ethernet
100 Mbps        Fast Ethernet
1,000 Mbps      Gigabit Ethernet
10,000 Mbps     10 Gigabit Ethernet

Following are the main characteristics of Ethernet:

• Easy to understand, implement, manage, and maintain

• Allows low-cost network implementations

• Provides extensive topological flexibility for network installation

• Guarantees successful interconnection and operation of standards-compliant products, regardless of manufacturer