Ethernet

 

Ethernet Network

What is an Ethernet Network?

As mentioned, Ethernet network is used to create local area network and connect multiple computers or other devices such as printers, scanners, and so on. In a wired network, this is done with the help of fiber optic cables, while in a wireless network, it is done through wireless network technology. An Ethernet network uses various topologies such as star, bus, ring, and more.

 the Various Types of Ethernet Networks :

• Fast Ethernet:
• Gigabit Ethernet:
• 10-Gigabit Ethernet
• Switch Ethernet

the Difference Between Wired Ethernet Network and Wireless Ethernet  Networks :

Ethernet is one of the oldest ways to connect to the Internet. You can connect Ethernet cables to wired as well as wireless networks. Here are some pointers which distinguish these two types of Ethernet networks.

• Wired Ethernet Network: This is the most conventional wired LAN or WAN type of connectivity. An Ethernet cable is connected to a modem directly, and its other end is connected to a device such as a laptop or a desktop. This must be at least a Cat5 cable or beyond. Here, since the connectivity is direct, the speed is also much faster than wireless networks. In fact, this is a good option for single users to connect to the internet. Of course, this can be done for more than one user, such as in a small business network. You can connect around 1- to 15 devices in such a network, in an area up to 10 km. While wired Ethernet has almost become obsolete, it is actually beneficial for small groups, much faster and safer than wireless ones and can load and transfer bulky files such as videos and audios as well as live stream hem seamlessly.

• Wireless Ethernet Network: A wireless network basically uses high frequency radio waves and does not involve cables to be connected to the receiving device such as a laptop. Hence, it is more flexible than wired networks and the device would connect if present within a given range or periphery where the modem and router are connected. This is easy to install but there may be problems related to signal strength at times, especially when transferring bulky files. Popularly known as Wi-Fi, here the data is transmitted in the form of wireless signals unlike over a cable. If there is a modem and a router, you need to connect the modem to the router with the help of an Cat5 or Cat6 ethernet cable. The virtually connected device picks up signals from the router.

How Ethernet Works :

The Ethernet protocol works within both the physical layer (layer 1) and the data link layer (layer 2 ) on the Opens System Interconnection (OSI) network protocol model. 

The physical layer is the application layer, it allows you to download data from a browser. When you enter a query in the browser this forwards to the next layer.

This request comes in a form called a data packet. This packet stores the data about the web address. This information is then sent through all the seven layers back and forth, being unpacked and packed.

The Ethernet, in short, handles what happens for the packet at layer 1 and 2.