What are the core principles of Ethernet?

The core principles of Ethernet are decentralisation, collision detection, retransmission, and simplicity of design and operation.

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies that are used in local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardised in 1983 as IEEE 802.3. Ethernet has since been refined to support higher bit rates, a greater number of nodes, and longer link distances, but the fundamental principles remain the same.

Decentralisation is a key principle of Ethernet. Unlike other networking technologies that use a centralised hub or switch, Ethernet operates on a peer-to-peer basis. This means that each device on the network has equal access to the transmission medium and can send data whenever it wants. This decentralised approach makes Ethernet highly scalable and flexible, as new devices can be added to the network without requiring any changes to the existing infrastructure.

Collision detection is another important principle of Ethernet. Because all devices on an Ethernet network share the same transmission medium, there is a risk that two devices will try to send data at the same time, resulting in a collision. To prevent this, Ethernet uses a technique called Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD). This technique allows devices to detect when a collision has occurred and to stop transmitting immediately, thereby minimising the impact of the collision.

Retransmission is a related principle. If a collision is detected, the devices that were transmitting will wait for a random period of time before attempting to retransmit their data. This random backoff helps to reduce the likelihood of further collisions.

Finally, simplicity of design and operation is a core principle of Ethernet. Ethernet was designed to be easy to implement and use, with a simple frame structure and a minimal set of control commands. This simplicity has helped to make Ethernet one of the most widely used networking technologies in the world.

In conclusion, the core principles of Ethernet are decentralisation, collision detection, retransmission, and simplicity of design and operation. These principles have helped to make Ethernet a flexible, scalable, and reliable networking technology.