| Originally
known as Alto Aloha Network, Ethernet is a widely used local-area
network (LAN) protocol originally created by
Xerox PARC in
1973 by Robert
Metcalfe and others (U.S. Patent # 4,063,220). Being the first network to
provide Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection (CSMA/CD),
Ethernet is a fast and reliable network solution that is still
widely used today. Below is a listing of different standards of
Ethernet and additional information about each of them. Ethernet
II / DIX / 802.3
Ethernet II is a revised version of Ethernet rewritten by with
Digital Equipment Corp,
Intel and
Xerox.
Ethernet II, also known as DIX, (Digital,
Intel, and
Xerox) and
802.3.
Fast Ethernet / 100BASE-T / 802.3u
Fast Ethernet is also referred to as
100BASE-T or 802.3u and is a communications protocol that enables computers on a local-area network to share
information with one another at rates of 100 million bits per second instead of the
standard 10 million BPS. Fast Ethernet works over Category 5
twisted-pair wiring.
There are two available types of
100BASE-T standards. The first standard known as 100BASE-T
utilizes CSMA/CD. The second standard, known as 100VG-AnyLAN
or 802.12, is similar to the other standard; however, it utilizes a
different type of Ethernet frame to
send its data.
100BASE-T is available in three
different types of cable technologies:
- 100BASE-T4 = Utilizes four
pairs of telephone-grade twisted-pair wire and is used for
networks that need a low-quality twisted-pair on a 100-Mbps
Ethernet.
- 100BASE-TX = Developed by
ANSI 100BASE-TX is also known as 100BASE-X, 100BASE-TX
uses two wire data grade twisted-pair wire
- 100BASE-FX = Developed by ANSI,
100BASE-FX utilizes 2 stands of fiber
cable.
Ethernet SNAP
Ethernet SNAP is short for
Ethernet SubNetwork Access Protocol and is a type of Ethernet protocol
that enabled old and new protocols to be encapsulated in a Type 1
LLC.
Gigabit Ethernet / 1000BASE-T / 802.3z
/ 802.ab
Gigabit Ethernet is also known
as 1000BASE-T or 802.3z / 802.3ab is a later Ethernet technology
that utilizes all four copper wires in a Category 5 (Cat 5 &
Cat 5e) capable of transferring 1 Gbps
10 Gigabit Ethernet / 802.3ae
10 Gigabit Ethernet is also
known as 802.3ae is a new standard that supports 10.000 Gb/s.
1000BASE-CX
A copper cable gigabit Ethernet standard that is no longer used.
This standard has been replaced by 1000BASE-T.
1000BASE-LX
A fiber optic gigabit Ethernet standard that operates over
single-mode
fiber.
1000BASE-SX
A fiber optic gigabit Ethernet standard that operates over
multi-mode
fiber, with typical distances of up to 550 meters (1804 feet)
Ethernet adapter
Ethernet adapter is a term used to describe an
Ethernet network card used to connect a desktop computer to a network. If you
are looking for network adapter drivers, you can find them through our
network
drivers page.
Also see: 802
standards, Aloha, CSMA/CD,
IEEE, LAN,
LLC, Network definitions,
PPPoE, Protocol, RJ-45
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