Ethernet
Wired networking protocol
Ethernet is a networking technology that connects computers and devices using cables and standardized communication protocols.
Developed in the 1970s, it became the dominant system for wired local area networks.
An Ethernet cable is the familiar cord with rectangular clips at each end: Just plug the Ethernet cable into the router.
Ethernet connections are typically faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. (Lowercase ethernet appears in casual usage but is nonstandard.)
Heavy-duty woven line
- twisted pairWound wires reducing interference
- coaxialSharing a central axis
- fiber opticLight-based data transmission
- NICHardware for network connectivity
hub · switch · router · connector · adapter · transceiver · port · jack
Unique network adapter identifier
- frameSupporting outer structure
- packetSmall sealed container
- duplexDivided dwelling, shared walls
- handshakingMutual greeting grip
encapsulation · checksum · payload · preamble · VLAN
Billion bits of data
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- megabitMillion bits
- latencyDelay in system response
Localized computer linkage
- subnetNetwork address range subdivision
- segmentDistinct part of whole
- nodeConnection point in networks
- gatewayPoint of access
backbone · daisy chain · uplink · rack
Single-destination network transmission
- multicastSimultaneous delivery to many
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- crosstalkSignal bleeding between channels
attenuation · signal · transmission · interference · noise · grounding
cable
Heavy-duty woven line
- twisted pairWound wires reducing interference
- coaxialSharing a central axis
- fiber opticLight-based data transmission
NIC · hub · switch · router · connector · adapter · transceiver · port · jack · crimping
MAC address
Unique network adapter identifier
handshaking · encapsulation · checksum · payload · preamble · VLAN
gigabit
Billion bits of data
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- megabitMillion bits
latency · jitter · negotiation · bottleneck
LAN
Localized computer linkage
- subnetNetwork address range subdivision
- segmentDistinct part of whole
- nodeConnection point in networks
gateway · backbone · daisy chain · uplink · rack
unicast
Single-destination network transmission
- multicastSimultaneous delivery to many
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- collisionForceful contact between objects
crosstalk · attenuation · signal · transmission · interference · noise · grounding
- data linksWiFi, satellite link, radio link, video link, downlink
- data interfacesUSB, SATA, SCSI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0
- EthernetRJ-45, NIC, Cat5e, Cat6, collision detection
- internetwebsites, web, browsers, web browsers, website
- technologyelectronics, computing, computer, social media, computers
- computingcomputer, computers, software, hardware, code
EthernetWi-Fi
Wireless network standard
wireless · WiFi · WLAN · wireless networking · Bluetooth
- ethernet cable
- Ethernet portWired network connection socket
- ethernet jackWired network connection socket
- ethernet cardHardware enabling wired connectivity
- ethernet switchDevice routing local data
- ethernet adapterHardware enabling wired connectivity
internet, network, ethereal, ether, ethers, intranet, etherealness, etherize