Ethernet is a family of networking technologies commonly used for local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). It defines various standards that outline how data packets are formatted, transmitted, and received over the network. Here are some of the key Ethernet standards:
- Ethernet (IEEE 802.3): The original Ethernet standard, also known as IEEE 802.3, was introduced in the 1980s. It specified data rates of 10 Mbps using coaxial cable and later twisted-pair cables. Ethernet uses CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) as the access method.
- Fast Ethernet (IEEE 802.3u): Introduced as an extension to the original Ethernet standard, Fast Ethernet supports data rates of 100 Mbps using twisted-pair and fiber-optic cables. It retains the CSMA/CD access method.
- Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3ab): This standard supports data rates of 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) over twisted-pair cables using all four pairs of wires. Gigabit Ethernet can also operate over fiber-optic cables and is commonly used for high-speed connections.
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3ae): Designed to provide data rates of 10 Gbps, this standard is used for both copper and fiber-optic connections. It offers increased bandwidth for high-performance applications.
- 40 Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3ba): Introduced to provide higher bandwidth, 40 Gigabit Ethernet is used in data centers and high-performance computing environments.
- 100 Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3bj/802.3bm): This standard supports data rates of 100 Gbps, enabling even higher-speed connections for demanding applications.
- Ethernet over Twisted Pair (IEEE 802.3ab): Also known as 1000BASE-T, this standard allows Gigabit Ethernet to be transmitted over twisted-pair cables, commonly used in office networks.
- Ethernet over Fiber (IEEE 802.3z): This standard specifies Gigabit Ethernet over fiber-optic cables, offering high data rates and long-distance connectivity.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) (IEEE 802.3af/802.3at/802.3bt): These standards allow devices to receive power over Ethernet cables along with data transmission. It eliminates the need for separate power cables for devices like IP phones, cameras, and access points.
- Ethernet Frame Format: Ethernet frames have a specific format that includes source and destination MAC addresses, type/length field, data payload, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) for error detection.
- Ethernet Switching: Ethernet switches are devices that use MAC addresses to forward data frames within a network. They enable more efficient data transmission compared to hubs.
These are just a few examples of Ethernet standards. Ethernet continues to evolve with advancements in technology, leading to faster and more reliable networking solutions.