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 Fundamentals of Ethernet

Ethernet is the most popular LAN technology in use today. Other LAN types include Token Ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), and LocalTalk. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ethernet strikes a good balance between speed, price and ease of installation. These strong points, combined with wide acceptance into the computer marketplace and the ability to support virtually all popular network protocols, makes Ethernet  the perfect networking technology for most computer users today.

The Ethernet standard is defined by the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). IEEE Standard 802.3 defines rules for configuring an Ethernet as well as specifying how elements in a network interact with one another. Networks, equipment and network protocols that utilize and adhere to the IEEE standard will operate in the most efficient manner.

 Media and Topologies

An important part of designing and installing an Ethernet is selecting the appropriate Ethernet  medium for the environment at hand. There are four major types of media in use today: ThickWire, thin coax, unshielded twisted pair and fiber optic. Each type has its strong and weak points. Careful selection of the appropriate Ethernet medium can avoid recabling costs as your network grows.

Ethernet media are used in two general configurations or topologies: "bus" and "star." These two topologies define how "nodes" are connected to one another. A node is an active device connected to the network, such as a computer or a piece of networking equipment, for example, a repeater, a bridge or a router.

A bus topology consists of nodes strung together in series with each node connected to a long cable or bus. Many nodes can tap into the bus and begin communication with all other nodes on that cable segment. A break anywhere in the cable will usually cause the entire segment to be inoperable until the break is repaired.

Star media links exactly two nodes together. The primary advantage of this type of network is reliability. If a point to point segment has a break, it will only affect the two nodes on that link. Other nodes on the network continue to operate as if that segment were nonexistent. Obviously connecting only two computers together makes for a very limited network. Repeaters may be used to bind groups of point-to-point segments together.

Call your Cables for Computers Technical Support Group to discuss your particular Network Requirements and Implementation.