subject: Types Of Ethernet Internet Services [print this page] Computer networking is currently an essential part of our world today. Individuals, academics and professionals have come to depend on computer networks for everything from email to access a database for research information.
A widely used Internet access type is Ethernet and is the technology used most for LAN (local area network). This technology ensures various levels of speed dependent on the type of Ethernet use.
Standard Ethernet
Ethernet is the more used physical layer LAN technology. It expresses how many conductors are necessary for a link, the thresholds standard or performance that may be anticipated and gives the data transmission framework. Any Ethernet standard network may transfer data at a rate up to 10Mbps (megabits per second). Standard Ethernet is popular since it strikes a good balance concerning cost, speed, and ease of setting up. These benefits, united with wide acceptance in the computer market and the facility to support all common network protocols, making Ethernet the ideal technology for networking.
The Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers established an Ethernet standard called the IEEE Standard 802.3. This outlines the procedures for forming an Ethernet network and likewise stipulates how the components in the network relate with each other. By following the IEEE standard, network protocols and network equipment are able to communicate adeptly.
Fast Ethernet
The Fast Ethernet standard (IEEE802.3u) has been established for those Ethernet networks that need speeds for transmission that are higher. This ups the speed of the Ethernet from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps with just negligible alterations to the cable structure that already exists. Fast Ethernet delivers faster output for multimedia, video, Internet surfing, graphics, as well as error detection, and correction that is stronger.
There are 3 kinds of Fast Ethernet: 100BASE-FX to use with fiber-optic cable, 100BASE-T4 with 2 extra wires to use with UTP cable level 3 and 100BASE-TX to use with UTP cable level 5. The 100BASE-TX standard is more prevalent since its close to the 10BASE-T standard Ethernet in compatibility.
Gigabit Ethernet
This Ethernet Gigabit - was developed in order to meet the requirements for networks that are faster with uses of multimedia and Voice over IP (VoIP). Also referred to as 1000Base-T or "gigabit-Ethernet-over-copper", this is the type of Ethernet that runs at speeds 10x that of 100Base-T. It is defined in the IEEE 802.3 standard and is used currently as an enterprise backbone. Ethernet LANs already existing with 10/100 Mbps cards can feed into a backbone of Gigabit Ethernet and will easily connect with high performance servers, switches, and routers. The whole thing from the look and execution of Gigabit Ethernet is undistinguishable from a standard Ethernet. The major changes concerning Gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet consist of additional support for full duplex in the MAC layer as well as the rates for the data.
10 Gigabit Ethernet
Another Ethernet recently established is 10 Gigabit Ethernet which is the fastest and the most recent standard for Ethernet Internet. IEEE 802.3ae defines an Ethernet version with rates of 10Gbits/s making it up to 10x faster than Gigabit Ethernet.
