Ethernet is the traditional technology used to connect devices in a wired Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN), enabling them to communicate with each other through a protocol which is a set of rules or common network language. Ethernet describes how network devices format and transmit data, so that other devices on the same local area network or campus network can identify, receive, and process information. Ethernet cables are the physical, enclosed wiring on which data passes.
Accessing geolocation network connected devices via cable may use Ethernet, that is, via a wired connection rather than a wireless connection. A wide variety of users, from enterprises to gamers, end up choosing Ethernet, depending on its connection advantages which include reliability and security.
Compared with Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, Ethernet is generally less susceptible to disruption. Since serial devices must be connected using physical cables, it can also provide a higher level of network security and control than wireless technology, which makes it difficult for outsiders to access network data or hijack the bandwidth of unauthorized devices.
The serial server is used to connect devices in the network, and it is still a popular form of network connection. For local networks used by specific organizations, such as corporate offices, school campuses, and hospitals, Ethernet is used for its high speed, security, and reliability.
Compared with competing technologies of the time, such as IBM's Token Ring, Ethernet was initially popular because of its low price. With the advancement of network technology, Ethernet continues to develop and provide higher levels of performance, while maintaining backward compatibility, thus ensuring the continued popularity of Ethernet. The initial throughput of Ethernet at 10 megabits per second increased tenfold in the mid-1990s to 100 Mbps, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) continues to update its performance. The current version of Ethernet can support operations up to 400 gigabits per second (Gbps).
Wi-fi is the most popular type of network connection. Unlike wired connection types, such as Ethernet, Wi-fi does not require a physical cable to be connected. Data is transmitted by wireless signals.
The IEEE is specified in a series of standards known as IEEE 802.3. The Ethernet protocol simultaneously involves both layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (data link layer) over the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) network protocol model.
Ethernet defines two transmission units: the data packet and frame. The frame includes not only the payload of the data being transmitted, but also the following: