EthernetNetzwerken

EthernetNetzwerken, often shortened to Ethernet, is a dominant family of computer networking technologies used in local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). It defines standards for physical layer and data link layer transmission of data. Ethernet was developed in the 1970s by Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs at Xerox PARC and first published in 1973. It has since evolved significantly, supporting increasingly higher speeds and longer distances.

The fundamental principle of Ethernet involves a shared transmission medium through which data packets are sent. Devices on the network detect when the medium is free, transmit their data, and use a carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) mechanism to manage simultaneous transmissions and resolve any collisions that occur. Modern Ethernet implementations largely rely on switches, which create dedicated connections between devices, virtually eliminating collisions and improving efficiency.

Ethernet operates using frame-based data transmission. Each frame contains source and destination MAC addresses, along with the data payload and error-checking information. The physical medium can be coaxial cable, twisted-pair copper wiring, or fiber optic cables. The speed of Ethernet connections varies widely, from older 10 Mbps standards to current multi-gigabit and terabit speeds, making it a versatile solution for a broad range of networking needs. Its widespread adoption and standardization have made it the de facto standard for wired networking.