Ethernet belongs to a set of technologies that are frequently and most commonly used in LANs (Local Area Networks), MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks), and WANs (Wide Area Networks). This network protocol, which is also known as the IEEE 802.3 protocol in technical terms, basically controls how data is transmitted over a LAN, which is a network of electronic devices such as computer in a localized geographical area. Since its introduction in the 1980s, Ethernet is now being used in most electronic devices and networks as most laptops and desktops come equipped with an Ethernet card for instant connection. It basically defines a set of rules and regulations that determine how devices communicate with one another in a particular network. It describes how the data will be packaged and transmitted in a manner that is understandable and executable by all local systems that are involved in the network.
Information is transmitted in the form of frames and packets, a frame includes the payload of data that is to be transferred, the MAC or physical media access control addresses of the sender as well as the receiver, information regarding the quality of the service, as well as information pertaining to error correction so as to detect and resolve any issues that may arise during data transmission. This frame is then individually constituted into a packet which contains information that can help establish a connection between the two communicating devices.
Ethernet IP cores are used widely in MCU, SoC, Network Chips etc. The protocol is constantly being improved so as to increase the efficiency and speed of data transmission over larger distances.
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