Wired LAN: Ethernet
Ethernet is one of the most widely used LAN technology defined under the IEEE standards 802.3. It is easy to understand, implement, maintain, and has a low-cost implementation. It also offers flexibility in terms of topology, though it generally uses Bus topology.
It operates in two layers of the OSI model, the Physical layer, and the Data Link layer. In Ethernet, the protocol data unit is Frame as we mainly deal with DLL, and to handle collision the access control mechanism used in Ethernet is CSMA/CD.
The network nodes in Ethernet LANs consist of network nodes or interconnecting media or links. They are of two types:
- Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)
- Data Communication Equipment (DCE)
Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)
They are the end devices that convert the user information into signals or reconvert the received signals. They can either be a single piece of equipment or multiple pieces that are interconnected and perform the required functions.
Data Communication Equipment (DCE)
They are the intermediate network devices that receive and forward frames across the network. They can be standalone devices like repeaters or communication interfaces such as cards. It performs functions such as conversion, coding, and maybe even be part of the DTE.
Wired LAN: Ethernet