What is Ethernet

naziagul · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 02:06 PM

Ethernet (the name commonly used for IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD) is the dominant cabling and low level data delivery technology used in local area networks (LANs). Following are some Ethernet features:

Ethernet transmits data at up to ten million bits per second (10 Mbps). Fast Ethernet supports up to 100 Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet supports up to 1000 Mbps, and 10 Gbs Ethernet supports up speeds matching its name (or 10,000 Mbs).
Buildings at Indiana University are connected to the campus backbone using 1 Gbs ethernet. At IU, 10 Gbs connectivity is primarily used for backbone links, though some systems in the Data Centers are connected at this speed as well.

Ethernet supports networks built with twisted-pair (10BaseT), thin and thick coaxial (10Base2 and 10Base5, respectively), and fiber-optic (10BaseF) cabling. Fast and Gigabit Ethernets can be built with twisted-pair (100/1000BaseT) and fiber-optic (100BaseF/1000BaseLR) cabling. Currently, 10 and 100BaseT Ethernets are the most common for hosts within buildings.

Data is transmitted over the network in discrete packets (frames) which are between 64 and 1518 bytes in length (46 to 1500 bytes of data, plus a mandatory 18 bytes of header and CRC information).

Each device on an Ethernet network operates independently and equally, precluding the need for a central controlling device.

Ethernet supports a wide array of protocols, the most common including TCP/IP, UDP, and ICMP (Ping).

To prevent the loss of data, when two or more devices attempt to send packets at the same time, Ethernet detects collisions. All devices immediately stop transmitting and wait a randomly determined period of time before they attempt to transmit again.

midspan

Thread Tools
Stick Your Post Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode