Ethernetprotokollen

Ethernetprotokollen, often simply called Ethernet, is a widely used family of computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). It defines standards for the physical layer and data link layer of the OSI networking model. Ethernet specifies the physical cabling and signaling, as well as the packet formats and protocols used for data transmission.

The original Ethernet protocol was developed by Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs at Xerox PARC in the 1970s. It was later standardized by the IEEE 802.3 working group. Ethernet operates by dividing data into frames, which are then transmitted across the network. Each frame contains source and destination MAC addresses, allowing devices to identify each other.

Early versions of Ethernet used coaxial cables and operated at speeds of 10 megabits per second (Mbps). Over time, Ethernet has evolved significantly, with speeds increasing to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), 1 gigabit per second (Gigabit Ethernet), 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps, and even higher. The cabling has also changed, with twisted-pair copper cables becoming the dominant medium for most LANs, alongside fiber optic cables for longer distances or higher bandwidth requirements.

Ethernet is a crucial technology that underpins the vast majority of wired local area networks worldwide. Its scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness have made it the de facto standard for connecting computers and other devices within homes, offices, and data centers. The protocol continues to evolve to meet the ever-increasing demands for network speed and capacity.