IEEE Standard 802.3, also known as Ethernet, is a set of specifications for local area networks (LANs). It defines the physical and data link layer specifications for wired Ethernet networks, including the physical media, signaling, and frame formats used for communication between devices.
Ethernet was first developed in the 1970s by Robert Metcalfe at Xerox Corporation as a way to connect computers in a local network. Since then, Ethernet has become the most widely used LAN technology in the world, with billions of devices connected to Ethernet networks.
The IEEE 802.3 standard defines several different Ethernet specifications, including 10 Mbps Ethernet (also known as Ethernet), 100 Mbps Ethernet (Fast Ethernet), 1 Gbps Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet), 10 Gbps Ethernet (10 Gigabit Ethernet), 40 Gbps Ethernet (40 Gigabit Ethernet), and 100 Gbps Ethernet (100 Gigabit Ethernet).
Each of these Ethernet specifications has its own set of physical layer specifications, including the type of cable used, the maximum cable length, and the signaling technology used. For example, 10 Mbps Ethernet uses coaxial cable or twisted pair cable and uses Manchester encoding for signaling, while 100 Mbps Ethernet uses twisted pair cable and uses 4B/5B encoding for signaling.
The IEEE 802.3 standard also defines the Ethernet frame format, which includes the source and destination MAC addresses, the type of protocol being used, and the data payload. The Ethernet frame format is used to ensure that data is transmitted reliably and efficiently across the network.
In addition to defining the physical and data link layer specifications for Ethernet networks, the IEEE 802.3 standard also includes specifications for network management, including the use of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP).
Well, the IEEE 802.3 standard has been instrumental in the development and widespread adoption of Ethernet networks, providing a reliable and efficient way to connect devices in a variety of environments. As technology continues to evolve, the IEEE 802.3 standard will continue to play a critical role in the development of new Ethernet specifications and the continued growth of Ethernet networks around the world.
