Ethernet
Hard Drive Recovery - Ethernet
Ethernet is a group of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). Ethernet defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the Physical Layer of the OSI networking model through network access at the Media Access Control (MAC) /Data Link Layer, and a common addressing format.
Ethernet was developed at Xerox PARC in 1973–1975. Ethernet, which has been in use from 1980, has become the most widespread wired LAN technology, replacing LAN standards such as token ring, FDDI, and ARCNET.
Despite the changes in Ethernet from a thick coaxial cable bus running at 10 Mbit/s to point-to-point links running at 1 Gbit/s and beyond, most of the Ethernet generations share the same frame formats and can be readily interconnected.
Currently Ethernet has many varieties. These varieties vary in speed and physical medium used. The most common forms used are 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T. All three utilize twisted pair cables and 8P8C modular connectors. They run at 10 Mbit/s, 100 Mbit/s, and 1 Gbit/s, respectively.
Most manufacturers are currently building the functionality of an Ethernet card directly into PC motherboards, avoiding the need for installation of a separate network card.
During the time of Fast Ethernet, Ethernet switches were expensive devices. Hubs suffered from the problem that if there were any 10BASE-T devices connected then the whole network needed to run at 10 Mbit/s.
