Chapter 4

The Current Ethernet Specifications

The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:

• 3.7 Compare and contrast different LAN technologies.
  • Types:
• Ethernet
• 10BaseT
• 100BaseT
• 1000BaseT
• 100BaseTX
• 100BaseFX
• 1000BaseX
• 10GBaseSR
• 10GBaseLR
• 10GBaseER
• 10GBaseSW
• 10GBaseLW
• 10GBaseEW
• 10GBaseT
• Properties
• CSMA/CD
• Broadcast
• Collision
• Bonding
• Speed
• Distance

Before we move on and explore networking devices, the TCP/IP and DoD models, IP addressing, subnetting, and routing in the upcoming chapters, you have to understand the big picture of LANs and learn the answer to these key questions: How is Ethernet used in today’s networks? What are Media Access Control (MAC) addresses, and how are they used?

This chapter will answer those questions and more. I’ll not only discuss the basics of Ethernet and the way MAC addresses are used on an Ethernet LAN, I’ll also cover the protocols used with Ethernet at the Data Link layer. You’ll also learn about the various Ethernet specifications.