Ethernet is a large, diverse family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). The name comes from the physical concept of the ether. It defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the physical layer, through means of network access at the Media Access Control (MAC)/Data Link Layer, and a common addressing format.
Ethernet has been standardized as IEEE 802.3. Its star-topology, twisted pair wiring form became the most widespread LAN technology in use from the 1990s to the present, largely replacing competing LAN standards such as coaxial cable Ethernet, token ring, FDDI, and ARCNET. In recent years, Wi-Fi, the wireless LAN standardized by IEEE 802.11, has been used in addition to or instead of Ethernet in many installations.
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A 1990's Ethernet network interface card. This is a combination card that supports both coaxial-based 10BASE2 (BNC connector, left) and twisted pair-based 10BASE-T, aka RJ45 (8P8C modular connector, right).
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