WHat is ethernet?

insignia33

Its not really something I ever gave much thought to. For me its always been "the wire" (whether that's cat5, cat6 or even thicknet). But it seems Im wrong.

So according to wikipedia its

Ethernet /ˈiːθərnɛt/ is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks.

That doesnt really clarify it though.

So is it a protocol, or a standard? Im getting conflicting opinions from google.

coylemj

You're asking for trouble posting a question like that. The network bores will crawl out of the woodwork, it's like asking a question about the rules of golf or which is the best coffee grinder.

If you're connected by wire to a local area network, you'll be using Ethernet protocols, that's all you need to know believe me.

Torqay

Khannie

coylemj wrote: »

You're asking for trouble posting a question like that. The network bores will crawl out of the woodwork, it's like asking a question about the rules of golf or which is the best coffee grinder.

If you're connected by wire to a local area network, you'll be using Ethernet protocols, that's all you need to know believe me.

LOL. Post of the century.

Freddy Smelly

ethernet = a net for catching ether.... its not very effective though... the liquid ether pours through the holes in the net

moc moc a moc

Ethernet is a communication protocol.

Here's a parallel in terms of a human language: you can express it by voice, by writing (in various forms too - physical pen and paper, fax, email, web forums, etc etc), by sign language, braille, maybe some other formats I don't know of. Whatever physical communication method you use, the actual language used is the same (e.g. English) which makes sure everyone can ultimately understand each other.

Whether you run IEEE 802.3 over 100BaseTX (Cat 5 for example), or over 100Base2 (co-ax cable) or IEEE 802.11 over RF (WiFi), ethernet is the common language transmitted over each of these physical communication mechanisms.

endacl

'Ethernet' is the correct response to the question 'would you like thith neth, or thath neth?', when offered a choice between two identical nets.

Skerries

it's spacey wacey, timey wimey stuff

Sparks43

I had an Ethernet joke, but somebody else told it at the same time. So I exponentially backed off and tried again.

mach1982

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.3

ethernet

You called, darling? :pac:







But yeah, the previous posts have covered it quite well