Switched Ethernet

Ethernet is a set of technologies and protocols that are used primarily in LANs. It was first standardized in 1980s as IEEE 802.3 standard. Ethernet is classified into two categories: classic Ethernet and switched Ethernet.

Switched Ethernet is a widely used Ethernet that can operate at high speeds of 100, 1000, and 10,000 MBPS in the form of fast Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet, and 10 gigabit Ethernet, respectively. The standard topology of Ethernet is a bus topology. However, fast Ethernet (100BASE-T and 1000BASE-T standards) uses switches for network connection and organization to minimize conflicts and maximize network speed and efficiency. In this way, the Ethernet topology becomes a star; But logically, Ethernet still uses bus topology and CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) bus technology.

In switched Ethernet, the hub connecting the stations of the classic Ethernet is replaced by a switch. The switch connects the high-speed backplane bus to all the stations in the LAN. The switch-box contains a number of ports, typically within the range of 4 – 48. A station can be connected in the network by simply plugging a connector to any of the ports. Connections from a backbone Ethernet switch can go to computers, peripherals or other Ethernet switches and Ethernet hubs.