What is Ethernet? – Definition, Uses, Features, and More

Ethernet Definition

Some people may already have picked up the term “Ethernet” somewhere. But very few people know what this is all about.

There is this technology for years, and lately, it is receiving more and more attention. In this article, we explain what Ethernet is all about and why it’s getting more and more critical.

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How is Ethernet used?

1. With the help of it, it is possible to transport data within a closed network from one terminal to another. All it takes is Ethernet-enabled devices connected.
2. For example, you can send photos or videos from a computer to a smart TV or even send documents from your PC to the printer, another PC, or an external storage device.
3. For such a connection or transmission, an Ethernet cable is necessary. Most of them are likely to know this cable under the term LAN cable.
4. This cable connects a device to the router. It acts as an interface within the network and combines all the tools it contains with each other.

What are the structures of Ethernet?

It fixes up in, two groups of components are required: the “Data Communication Equipment” (DCE in short) and the “Data Terminal Equipment” (DTE in short).

• The DCE consists of all devices designed to receive and forward data. These are, for example, router, switch, and hub.
• They play an essential role as interfaces or as a connection between the individual devices of the DTE.
• The data terminal equipment again consists of all terminals. These receive the data from the Data Communication Equipment via the Ethernet.
• Also, they can send data to other devices via the DCE.

The Ethernet cable

• The DCE must be connected to the DTE so that data sent within the network. An appropriate cable ensures this connection. The name for such a cable is Ethernet cable.
• If you are only dealing with a network at home, you might wonder why not it merely replaces by the wireless local area network (WLAN).
• The most likely, however, the term LAN cable (LAN = Local Area Network) to be familiar.

What are the differences between Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

The decision with Ethernet or Wi-Fi has been a fair shake for years. On paper, Ethernet is a lot faster.

• Using a Cat-6a cable will technically give you 10 Gbps while using Cat-5 cable will technically give you 1,000 Mbps, but it’s not of much use if you’re accessing an internet connection that gives you a maximum of 100 Mbps.
• Wi-Fi has been keeping pace with the average internet connection. The Wi-Fi 802.11n standard will give you up to 150 Mpbs.
• while the 802.11ac standard will give you speeds up to 866.7 Mbps.
• While its speeds are constant, Wi-Fi signal speeds seldom are, because signals vary depending on distance and interference.

What are the advantages of Ethernet?

After all, wireless connections have some advantages over the often-used cable clutter of the past. The benefits of it over a WLAN are:

1. An optimally structured Ethernet network is independent of the Internet connection.
2. Thus, this technology allows reliable data transmission, which remains untouched by Internet failures.
3. Especially in companies, therefore, one often decides on this technology.

What are the disadvantages of Ethernet?

The only disadvantage is that collisions in the data exchange can still occur. It can then falter, and the time of the data exchange extends accordingly.

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