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What is Ethernet?

Overview

Ethernet  is the dominant cabling and low level data delivery technology used in local area networks (LANs). 

 

  • Ethernet transmits data at up to ten million bits per second (10Mbps). Fast Ethernet supports up to 100Mbps and Gigabit Ethernet supports up to 1000Mbps. 
  • Ethernet supports networks built with twisted-pair (10BaseT), thin and thick coaxial (10Base2 and 10Base5, respectively), and fiber-optic (10BaseF) cabling. Fast Ethernets can be built with twisted-pair (100BaseT) and fiber-optic (100BaseF) cabling. Currently, 10BaseT Ethernets are the most common.
  • 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 data types, including TCP/IP, AppleTalk, and IPX.
  • 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.