Ethernet: A Bus Network

• is probably most popular LAN technology
• developed at Xerox PARC by R. Metcalf and D. Boggs 1976
• DEC, Intel, and Xerox developed the DIX ethernet standard
• later IEEE defined the ethernet standard
• first versions ran at 3 Mbps
• current versions run at 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps
• is a multiaccess network technology
• is a broadcast-based technology
• is inexpensive because it uses a passive cable
• only provides best-effort service
• higher level protocols do all the real work
• comes in three varietys: thick net, thin net, twisted pair