Page 65 - Handout Computer Network.

Ethernet is the most widely used LAN technology. Ethernet was first implemented by
a group called DIX (Digital, Intel, and Xerox). DIX created and implemented the first Ethernet
LAN specification, which was used as the basis for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineer (IEEE) 802.3 specification released in 1980. Later, the IEEE extended the 802.3
committee to three new committees known as 802.3u (Fast Ethernet), 802.3z (Gigabit
Ethernet over Fiber), and 802.3ab (Gigabit Ethernet over UTP). The cabling aspect of the LAN
exists at Layer 1 of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model. Many topologies
support LANs, as well as different physical media. Figure 3-12 shows a subset of physical layer
implementations that you can deploy to support Ethernet.

Figure 3-12 shown a LAN Physical Layer Implementation

The basic functions of media are to carry a flow of information, in the form of bits and
bytes, through a LAN. Other than wireless LANs (that use the atmosphere, or space, as the
medium), networking media confines network signals to a wire, cable, or fiber. Networking
media are considered Layer 1 components of LANs. Computer networks can be built with many
different media types. Each media has advantages and disadvantages. What is an advantage
for one media (CAT 5 cost) might be a disadvantage for another (fiber-optic cost).

The primary advantage and disadvantage comparison categories are as follows:

• Cable length

• Cost

• Ease of installation Coaxial cable, optical fiber, and even free space can carry
network signals.
However, the principal medium that is studied is called Category 5 unshielded
twistedpair cable (CAT 5 UTP)

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