Ethernet
By - Balaji
Definition:
Ethernet is a family of networking technologies
standardized by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) under the 802.3
series of standards.
It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the
OSI model and is responsible for transmitting
data packets between devices on the same
network segment.
Physical Layer:
Ethernet uses various physical media for
data transmission, including twisted pair
copper cables, fiber-optic cables, and
wireless radio frequencies.
Twisted pair cables are commonly used in
Ethernet networks, with categories such as
Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a supporting different
data rates and distances.
Fiber-optic Ethernet offers higher bandwidth
and longer distances but is more expensive
and complex to install.
Data Link Layer:
At the data link layer, Ethernet frames
encapsulate data for transmission over
the network.
Each Ethernet frame consists of a header,
payload (data), and trailer.
The header contains source and
destination MAC addresses, EtherType or
length field, and optional VLAN (Virtual
Local Area Network) tagging.
The payload carries the actual data to be
transmitted, such as IP packets, while the
trailer contains a Frame Check Sequence
(FCS) for error detection.
Ethernet Standards and
Variants:
Ethernet standards define the specifications
for various aspects of Ethernet, including
data rates, physical media, and frame
formats.
Common Ethernet variants include 10BASE-T
(10 Mbps over twisted pair), 100BASE-TX
(100 Mbps over twisted pair), and Gigabit
Ethernet (1 Gbps over twisted pair or fiber).
Higher-speed variants like 10 Gigabit
Ethernet (10 Gbps) and 40 Gigabit Ethernet
(40 Gbps) are also available for demanding
applications.
Switching and LANs:
Ethernet switches play a crucial role in
Ethernet-based LANs by forwarding
Ethernet frames between devices.
Switches create LANs by interconnecting
multiple devices and segmenting the
network into smaller collision domains.
They use MAC address tables to learn the
MAC addresses of devices connected to
each port and forward frames only to the
intended recipient, improving network
efficiency and performance.
Applications and Use Cases:
Ethernet is used in a wide range of
applications, including office LANs, data
center networking, industrial automation,
smart homes, and more.
It provides reliable and efficient
communication between devices, enabling
the exchange of data, voice, and video
across networks.
Thank You
Submitted to :- Suriya Priya Ma’am
