Ethernetil

Ethernet is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). Developed by Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs at Xerox PARC in the 1970s, Ethernet has become the dominant standard for wired networking. It defines standards for the physical layer and data link layer of the OSI model, specifying how data is transmitted over cables.

The most common Ethernet implementation today uses twisted-pair cables, typically Cat5e or Cat6, with RJ45 connectors. Data is sent in discrete units called frames. These frames contain source and destination MAC addresses, which are unique hardware identifiers for network interfaces, along with the actual data payload and error-checking information. Ethernet operates using a method called carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) for shared media, although modern switched Ethernet networks largely eliminate collisions.

Ethernet speeds have evolved significantly over time, starting from 10 megabits per second (Mbps) and progressing to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), 10 Gbps, and even faster speeds like 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps for high-performance applications. This widespread adoption and continuous improvement have made Ethernet a fundamental technology for connecting devices in homes, offices, and data centers worldwide.