Unit IV - Ethernet

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

Activity:
• Understand what is Ethernet.
• State the advantages and disadvantages of Ethernet.
• Differentiate between Ethernet and Wifi Connection
Direction: In an online class, would you rather use your cellphone data or a wifi connection?
Why?

Lesson 1. What is Ethernet?

Ethernet is a conventional technology for linking devices in a wired local area network (LAN) or
wide area network (WAN), allowing them to interact with one another using a protocol, which is a
set of rules or a common network language. Ethernet is a network protocol that explains how
network devices structure and send data so that other devices on the same local or campus area
network segment can recognize, receive, and process it. The actual, encased wiring over which
data passes is known as an Ethernet cable.

Ethernet is most usually used by connected devices that connect to a geographically localized
network via a cable (rather than a wireless connection). The benefits of Ethernet connectivity,
which include stability and security, are relied upon by a wide range of end users, from enterprises
to gamers.

Ethernet is often less susceptible to disturbances than wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies.
Because devices must connect via physical cable, it can provide a higher level of network security
and management than wireless technologies. Outsiders will have a hard time accessing network
data or stealing bandwidth for unapproved devices as a result of this.

Lesson 2. What is the purpose of Ethernet?

Ethernet is a type of network connection that is still widely used to connect devices in a network.
Ethernet is utilized for local networks in specific institutions, such as company offices, school
campuses, and hospitals, because of its high speed, security, and stability.
When compared to rival technologies at the time, such as IBM's Token Ring, Ethernet grew in
popularity due to its low cost. Ethernet's ability to develop and give higher levels of performance
while keeping backward compatibility ensured its continued popularity as network technology
improved. In the mid-1990s, Ethernet's original 10 megabits per second throughput was boosted
tenfold to 100 Mbps, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) continues
to improve speed with subsequent revisions. Current Ethernet variants can handle data rates of
up to 400 gigabits per second (Gbps).

Advantages and disadvantages

Ethernet has many benefits for users, which is why it grew so popular. However, there are a few
disadvantages as well.

Advantages

• relatively low cost;

• backward compatibility;

• generally resistant to noise;

• good data transfer quality;

• speed;

• reliability; and

• data security -- common firewalls can be used.

Disadvantages

• It is intended for smaller, shorter distance networks.

• Mobility is limited.

• Use of longer cables can create crosstalk.

• It does not work well with real-time or interactive applications.

• Increased traffic makes the Ethernet speed go down.

• Receivers do not acknowledge the reception of data packets.

• When troubleshooting, it is hard to trace which specific cable or node is causing the issue.

Lesson 3. Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi

The most common sort of network connection is Wi-Fi. It does not require a physical cable to be
attached, unlike wired connection types such as Ethernet; data is delivered by wireless signals.

Differences between Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections

Ethernet connection

• transmits data over a cable;

• limited mobility -- a physical cable is required;

• more speed, reliability and security than Wi-Fi;

• consistent speed;

• data encryption is not required;

• lower latency; and

• more complex installation process.

Wi-Fi connection

• transmits data through wireless signals rather than over a cable;

• better mobility, as no cables are required;

• not as fast, reliable or secure as Ethernet;

• more convenient -- users can connect to the internet from anywhere;

• inconsistent speed -- Wi-Fi is prone to signal interference;

• requires data encryption;

• higher latency than Ethernet; and

• simpler installation process.

How Ethernet works

The Ethernet protocol covers both Layer 1 (physical layer) and Layer 2 (data link layer) of the
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) network protocol paradigm, according to IEEE's IEEE 802.3
family of standards.

Packets and frames are the two types of transmission units defined by Ethernet. The payload of
data being transmitted is included in the frame, as well as the following:

• the physical media access control (MAC) addresses of both the sender and receiver;

• virtual LAN (VLAN) tagging and quality of service (QoS) information; and

• error correction information to detect transmission problems.

Each frame is enclosed in a packet that comprises several bytes of data that establishes the
connection and marks the start of the frame.

Ethernet was invented by Xerox engineers in the 1970s, and it used coaxial connections at first.
A typical Ethernet LAN today makes use of special twisted-pair cables or fiber optic cabling. Early
Ethernet used a daisy chain or star architecture to connect many devices into network segments
via hubs, which are Layer 1 devices responsible for transmitting network data.

When two devices sharing a hub try to send data at the same time, the packets may collide,
causing connectivity issues. IEEE created the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Detection (CSMA/CD) protocol to alleviate these digital traffic bottlenecks. This protocol allows
devices to check whether a given line is in use before launching new transmissions.

Ethernet hubs were eventually phased out in favor of network switches. A hub can't send data
directly from point A to point B since it can't distinguish between points on a network segment.
Instead, whenever a network device transmits data over an input port, the hub replicates it and
distributes it to all available output ports.
A switch, on the other hand, intelligently transmits only the traffic meant for its devices to any
given port, rather than copies of all communications on the network segment, enhancing security
and efficiency.

To connect to Ethernet, interested computers must have a network interface card (NIC), just like
other network types.

Lesson 4. Types of Ethernet cables

The initial Ethernet standard was approved by the IEEE 802.3 working committee in 1983. Since
then, the technology has progressed to include new media, faster transmission speeds, and
content changes in frames:
• 802.3ac was introduced to accommodate VLAN and priority tagging.

• 802.3af defines Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is crucial to most Wi-Fi and Internet
Protocol (IP) telephony deployments.

• 802.11a, b, g, n, ac and ax define the equivalent of Ethernet for WLANs.

• 802.3u ushered in 100BASE-T -- also known as Fast Ethernet -- with data transmission
speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The term BASE-T indicates the use of twisted-pair cabling.

1,000 Mbps — 1 gigabit or 1 billion bits per second (bps) — 10 GbE, up to 10 Gbps, and so on
are all examples of gigabit Ethernet speeds. 100BASE-T is primarily used by network engineers
to connect end-user computers, printers, and other devices, manage servers and storage, and
achieve faster speeds for network backbone segments. Each connection's average speed tends
to increase over time.

Different Ethernet cables function with different standards and speeds to connect network devices
to the proper routers or modems. Category 5 (Cat5) cables, for example, support conventional
and 100BASE-T Ethernet, Category 5e (Cat5e) cables can handle GbE, and Category 6 (Cat6)
cables can handle 10 GbE.

There are also Ethernet crossover cables that link two devices of the same type, allowing two
PCs to be connected without the use of a switch or router.