Ethernet
Ethernet is a standard for the technologies that make up a wired local area network (LAN). It was first developed in the 1970’s by Robert Metcalfe at Xerox and went on to be developed by Xerox, DEC, and Intel. It was standardised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) as IEEE 802.3 in 1983.
Ethernet was originally conceived as a way of enabling computers to communicate over a shared cable. Ethernet originally used coaxial cable, but now commonly uses twisted-pair copper cable such as CAT5 or fibre optic cable.
The simplest Ethernet connects a number of devices on a single cable. Streams of data that are transmitted between devices are divided into ‘frames’ with a source and destination address. If more than one device is transmitting at the same time, and frames ‘collide’ and are corrupted, then they are re-transmitted. More complex variations allow devices to run with much reduced corruption, and full duplex modes allow devices to communicate simultaneously without ‘collision’.
Ethernet is now the most widely used standard for local area networks (LAN). Local area networks are networks used to connect a number of devices together that are located within a relatively small area, typically within a single building. This is as opposed to wide area networks (WAN) which are used to connect devices on a dedicated line across a large distance, such as across a city.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bluetooth.
- Building information modelling.
- CAT5.
- Common data environment.
- Computer aided design.
- Computer aided manufacturing.
- Computers in building design.
- Extranet
- Global Unique IDs (GUIDs).
- ICT and Automation (ICTA) Scoping Study Report.
- In-building wireless.
- Information and communications technology.
- Internet of things.
- Local area network.
- Power over ethernet.
- Project extranet.
- Smart buildings.
- Smart cities.
- Ubiquitous network.
- Wi-Fi.
- WiredScore.
Featured articles and news
The UK heating industry and the Brexit transition
An overview of the current state of the market.
UEFA guide to renovating football training facilities
Organisation offers best practices for construction and modification.
Heritage on the edge?
Prioritising tax considerations.
Reviewing the Double Diamond Design model
The four D creative process: discover, define, develop and deliver.
National Cyber Security Centre initiative is announced.
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.
Building Back Better: Circularity
BREEAM strategy for sustainability and the circular economy.
Free tool to improve the construction programming process.