Ethernet refers to a networking technology used for local area networks (LANs) to connect devices within a confined area such as an office building, school campus, or home. It defines how data is transmitted over physical cables or wireless connections, specifying protocols for data encoding, framing, collision detection, and media access control.
Ethernet and the internet are distinct but interconnected concepts. Ethernet is a LAN technology that facilitates communication between devices within a local network, typically using Ethernet cables for wired connections. The internet, in contrast, is a global network of networks that connects millions of devices worldwide, including LANs using Ethernet, through a variety of technologies and protocols such as TCP/IP.
Ethernet can be found in various locations where devices need to communicate within a limited geographical area. It is commonly used in offices, homes, schools, data centers, and industrial environments to interconnect computers, printers, servers, and other networked devices. Ethernet networks can range in size from small home networks to large enterprise networks spanning multiple buildings.
Ethernet cables are physical cables used to connect devices in an Ethernet network, enabling data transmission between computers, routers, switches, and other network equipment. These cables come in various types, including twisted-pair copper cables (such as Cat5e, Cat6, Cat7) and fiber-optic cables. They provide reliable and high-speed connectivity for transmitting Ethernet frames between devices.
The term “Ethernet cable” derives from the Ethernet networking technology itself. “Ethernet” was named after the “ether,” a concept in physics that once referred to a medium through which electromagnetic waves propagate. The cables used in Ethernet networks are called Ethernet cables because they facilitate the transmission of data packets according to the Ethernet protocol standards, whether through copper wires or optical fibers.