Ethernet is the network we use when connecting to the Internet via a wired connection. It is best suited for local connections as it greatly reduces latency issues and increases the level of security.
If the Wi-Fi network is more widespread these days, it is in particular because of its great coverage and its practicality. Only, before that, we used a wired connection: Ethernet. Used for more than half a century, the wired network is not about to disappear. Even today, many organizations prefer to use it to the detriment of the Wi-Fi connection. It allows you to perform many tasks at the same time and to perform the most intensive. In this file, we will detail what Ethernet is, its use, its advantages and possibly its disadvantages. We will not fail to make a small comparative analysis between Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
What is Ethernet?
Ethernet is a communication technology used to access the Internet via the local LAN network. This involves the use of Ethernet cable to connect the PC to the network router. Technicians also call it IEEE 802.3.
During its first years of use, Ethernet operated at a significantly slower speed of 10 Mbps. Over the years, experts have made changes and improvements to it. As a result, the majority of current connections operate at gigabit speed. Some ratified standards can even achieve gigabit speeds, ranging up to 400 Gbps.
In addition to wired LAN connection LANit also allows devices to be connected in a wide area network WAN. Devices can also communicate with each other using this wired network and transfer data. The Ethernet connection is found in various establishments (school, commercial, etc.) because of its great ability to withstand network disturbances and its faster speed.
The different types of Ethernet
The technology was conceived in 1973. However, its public debut was not recorded until a decade later, i.e. in 1983, the year of its approval. Since that time, Ethernet has gone through different iterations until 2022 when we decided to formalize the three most used types. These are Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
Although his name means fast, Fast Ethernet is far from offering the fastest speed of the three types. In general, the connection speed is limited to 100 Mbps. In contrast, Gigabit Ethernet can provide speed up to 10 Gbps. As for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, it’s the wired connection that provides ultra-fast speed, ranging from 40 GbE to 400 GbE. These are used by the Data CenterInternet Service Providers and other organizations requiring high speed data transmission.
Who uses Ethernet? Why ?
Ethernet is the most popular form of network connection. It is particularly used by schools, hospitals and certain companies. This wired network is rather used for its security and the baud rate of the data it provides. This is why it is encountered in data centers and ISPs.
At the time when it started appearing in the market, Ethernet was less expensive compared to its competitors. Today, streaming and gaming fans should opt for the Ethernet network rather than Wi-Fi. This provides a stable connection and reduces latency.
Since its inception in the mid-1990s, the IEEE or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has periodically upgraded to increase its performance. This is why it finds its place both in the productive environment and at home.
The Benefits of Ethernet
Ethernet offers a number of advantages, which is why it is still so popular. The use of cable to transfer data is an irreproachable asset because of its reliability. This eliminates the network interference as well as physical barriers. In addition, it provides a faster connection.
Furthermore, Ethernet is totally backward compatible. We can always expect a constant connection regardless of the cable and the router. If you connect an older cable with a newer router, the network works just like with a new Ethernet cable. The speed of the connection, however, depends on the less capable device.
Also, Ethernet is far more secure compared to Wi-Fi. data leaks have risen with the rise of wireless technology since it offers cyberattackers more leeway. Wireless and especially public networks are attack grounds for hackers. Contrary to this, to use Ethernet, it is always necessary to connect the router to the device by means of a cable.
The wired connection is also reliable due to its ability to reduce noise. It can thus connect a series of computers over a maximum distance of 10 kilometers. In addition, the network makes it possible to carry out intensive tasks such as the mining.
For large industries, Ethernet remains the solution because it allows to perform intensive tasks like the virtual communication. It is also the network best suited to employees working from home, but not only. At home, the wired connection can also satisfy fans of online video games and streaming.
Disadvantages
Besides its advantages, there are also disadvantages of the wired Ethernet network. First, it’s not the ideal solution for those who travel frequently. It is rather adapted to the house, but still it is necessary to connect a cable in each room. Not to mention the cables, which must be of sufficient length to connect each room to the router. This can cause crosstalk.
Furthermore, the mobile devices are not welcome in the wired network because they do not have a specific port to connect the Ethernet cable. As a result, it is impossible to connect with a smartphone or tablet.
In addition, the wired network causes high equipment costs and installation. It doesn’t get any easier than setting up Ethernet for a single room. However, when it comes to extending it to an entire building or campus, more investment is required.
In addition, if problems occur, it is practically difficult to locate their source, especially when there are different switches. It is difficult to trace the node or cable responsible for the failure.
Ethernet and Wi-Fi, what’s the difference?
Ethernet remains a major competitor for the Wi-Fi wireless network. Both have strengths and weaknesses that can influence the choice of users. In this section, we will discover their respective characteristics:
Ethernet, the wired network
As the name suggests, Ethernet is a wired network. It requires a cable to connect the router to the devices; that limits his mobility. Moreover, its installation is not only expensive, but also time and energy consuming.
However, if you want to bet on the quality of the connection, it is the suitable solution because of its constant speed and the almost non-existent latency. Also, data encryption is not required as Ethernet provides a secure connection.
Wi-Fi, the wireless network
more convenient and less expensive to install, the Wi-Fi network is also popular. Indeed, it offers great mobility to its users who can connect anywhere without the need for a cable. Smartphones and other mobile devices can also connect to Wi-Fi without issue.
On the other hand, the connection to Wi-Fi is not as stable as Ethernet. The data transmission speed varies constantly. In addition to that, it requires data encryption. If a Wi-Fi router can accommodate more devices, it is however susceptible to interference and piracy.
What about Ethernet at home?
Ethernet is the most suitable network for home use. To do this, you must first have devices that have port Ethernet. Also, you will need one or more cables such as Cat-5 or Cat-6 as needed.
In addition to your PC, you can also plug your game console into your router. If you’re more of a Netflix or Disney+ fan, just connect your streaming stick to the router. Sometimes you have to use a USB adapter to Ethernet like TP-Link USB-A if your device requires it.
The central element of an Ethernet network is, of course, the router. The wireless router may have one or more Ethernet ports. If the number of ports matches your needs, all you have to do is wire them up. On the other hand, if the router does not have enough ports for your devices, you must use a network switch.
To conclude
On the one hand, Ethernet flourished during these years and remains widely used despite its flaws. On the other hand, IEEE is still in search of innovation to allow it to remain competitive even in this era of wireless technology. We can then hope for new official standards in the years to come: 800 GbE and 1TbE among others.