IT-6003-7B11-24/SP | Spring 2024

Prof. David Somana

A Comprehensive Review Study on Evolution of

Ethernet

Submitted by:-

Abhiram Maguluri

Student ID:- 0852010

May 2024
A Comprehensive Review study on Evolution of Ethernet

Metcalfe and his team in the 1970s, the

technology has gone through the process

Introduction
of innovations and upgrades by various

companies across the industry ever since.

The historical development of Ethernet, meant as the means to

Ethernet from its origins to the present day communicated within / among computers

is an amazing path to follow, stretching on a same short distance interface (a LAN)

from a network that sat at the bottom to its has now grown its network domain to

being the fundamental technology that reach enterprise, telecommunication, and

unites modern networks together. The aim industrial automation.

of this paper is to describe the

development cycle, as well as its early

The Ethernet story is in continuous
stage till now, as the power to apply. There
evolution with multi-sided driving forces.
are essentially several traits of courses
A long time ago when the inventors and
which the study can focus on, among
engineers were trying to come up with a
which there are the major factors of the
good communication standard in the local
creation, the engineering achievements
area network (LAN) which can be scaled
which contributed to the existing form of
to a wide area quickly, Ethernet was the
Ethernet, and the ways which this system
solution, thus was initially developed. The
is deployed in the Internet infrastructure.
rapid growth of networking technology

utilization with combined characteristics

Before Ethernet was first invented at like high-speed data transmission and

Xerox PARC by its co-founders Robert establishment of new things such as cloud
computing and Internet of Things (IoT) outdo the existing communication systems.

has driven the evolution of Ethernet That journey resulted technically in the

constantly to be more superior in terms of invention of Ethernet which was going to

speed, reliability, and scalability. be a revolutionary enterprise that was to

usher in an entirely new order of

information networking.
The engineers deployed new special

networking protocols, utilized innovative

algorithms and produced fresh components Originally, Ethernet emerged as a schema

making thus the history of Ethernet for interconnecting computers and

complicated even further. Notable peripherals among local resources to help

accomplishments include the introduction sharing of files and resources. Ethernet's

of Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10 earliest versions used coaxial cables as the

Gigabit Ethernet, which represent evident medium for data transmission, while the

evolution from early standards of speed to data rate ranged between 10 Mbps and 100

more powerful and efficient networking Mbps. In contrast with older networking

today. solutions, this technology represented a

considerable breakthrough, as it offered a

reliable and scalable backbone for linking

Literature Review
up devices within a given spatial boundary

(Metcalfe & Boggs, 1976).

In the early 1970s, the team led by Robert

Metcalfe at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto

Along with rapid growth of Ethernet
Research Center) began their mission to
popularity and the strengthening
design a technology that would connect
requirement for higher bandwidth and
offices on a local level and scientifically
better reliability, the necessity for Ethernet efficiency and anti-precipitation as

standard advancement has been stated. compared to the traditional coaxial cables.

Consequently, the Institute of Electrical

and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Continuing with the technology, the
contributed by the serving as a zenith in
expansion of the media types of Ethernets
the standardization of Ethernet technology.
also made technical improvements that
The IEEE established the 802.3 board of
enable it to support higher data rates to
management, which was responsible for
make way for the increasing importance of
the creation and maintaining of Ethernet
bandwidth-intensive applications. As
standards.
network infrastructures had to be more and

more complicated, Fast Ethernet (FE)

By means of participatory process in specification which runs at 100 Megabit

which representatives from different per second (Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet

sectors took part, the IEEE 802.3 working (GE) interface that can provide up to a

group make efforts to progress Ethernet Gbps data rates weren't surprising (IEEE,

standard in order to match the 2008).

requirements of the Internet network

community. The main part of the agenda

In addition, the creation of the Ethernet
was the introduction of new media types
gave rise to more than just the data
so that the higher data rates and more
transmission capabilities it offered, and
flexible network operability were
they comprised a lot more elaborate
supported. Coaxial cables were soon
functionalities and features. There is one
overshadowed by twisted-pair copper and
example that involves PoE (Power over
Fiber optics, which provided greater
Ethernet) technology that allows giving a
network-connected device electricity current needs and bring the technology for

through an Ethernet cable. Recently, PoE the next wave of networking innovations.

systems are extensively used in telephony,

surveillances devices, and network access

Methodology
points among other applications, giving

organizations the chance to deploy

network with fewer tools and hence cut the To get a proper view of the evolution of
cost of required infrastructure (IEEE, Ethernet technology, let us look into the
2018). individual parts of the Ethernet simulation

using Wireshark which is done within a

controlled networking environment. The

The basic success factor of Ethernet was
given program can aid in the analysis of
the nonstop innovation and collaboration
the insights of the Ethernet evolution. It
of creators in industry world. Conversely,
will come in handy when teaching
the ethernet network initially was just a
Ethernet operations across different
local area network that its wires were
network types or configurations. The
based on coaxial cables, but now, it has
Ethernet technology development allows
evolved into a network that has so many
the researchers to observe an extremely
versatilities, can be used to support a vast
detailed performance metrics, protocol
array of applications as well as use cases.
interactions, and an in-depth investigation
With the developments of technology,
of the predicaments of real world through
Ethernet protocols (also those ones not
the cancelation of these process (Liu &
listed) are assumed to change also, solving
Bai, 2016).
 they can observe the throughput, latency

and packet loss when the transition

For example, let’s say that a research
happens. By the analysis of the peak
group wishes to measure the effect on
packet data as well as the obtained
system performance if the Ethernet ports
performance metrics, research can draw
of traditional Gigabit Ethernet are
the important conclusions regarding the
implemented in the network on enterprises
positive as well as negative sides of
setting. Wireshark Lab simulation can be
moving to Gigabit Ethernet network, so
used as an easy-to-go way by researchers.
that managers or directors can continue to
They can build the network themselves,
improve the technical background of their
adjust different parts of the infrastructure.
organizations in this regard (Rivano &
Also, they can create various scenarios
Blazvic, 2015).
with their own Ethernet standards. Finally,
 and its operation. This, in turn, will lead to

gaining the level of understanding of how

Wireshark Lab further offers a scenery for
Ethernet is present in the processes of
the researchers to investigate how Ethernet
practical networking (Sharma et al.,2017).
protocol exchange occur between different

networking layers. On the other hand,

scientists may study how pouring Ethernet

Main Body
switches go to broadcast traffic handling in

a flooded Ethernet circumstance or make

analysis of the result on the 1. Early Ethernet Technologies

accomplishment of the Ethernet-based The initial Ethernet implementation

communication of abnormal traffic rush on was based on CSMA/CD, an access
a network. By investigating the protocols method that involves sharing media
and packet data that are captured during access among the connected
the operation of the network, researchers devices. The same problem with
can develop an understanding of the the limits in scalability and
underlying principles that govern Ethernet reliability, in particular, during the
 large-scale deployment, arose from standards, such as 10 Gigabit

the cheap networking solutions Ethernet (10 Gbps), 40 Gigabit

(Forouzan, 2007). Ethernet (40 Gbps) and 100

Gigabit Ethernet (100 Gbps).

2. Transition to Switched Ethernet
(IEEE, 2016) Corresponding to
The switches replacement with
mentioned progress drastic
Ethernet switches which ended the
improvements have been witnessed
necessity of shared media by
in the operations of the physical
enabling full duplex
layers themselves; for instance,
communication changed the
optical Fiber, twisted-pair copper
architecture of networks. The
and Ethernet over Coax (EoC) and
former ESAs offered the
Ethernet over HDMI (IEEE).
organization considerable
4. Convergence of Ethernet and IoT
enhancements in terms of

performance, bandwidth utilization, Because of the presence of huge

and security, leading to the all- IoT devices, there is the

encompassing adoption of the convergence of Ethernet combined

Ethernet in the networks of with other networking technologies

enterprises (Cisco, 2020). like Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

Ethernet-based IoT solutions

3. Advancements in Ethernet Speed
control over reliability, security and
and Media
hence bandwidth, making them the
Data rate speed and network
best fitted for utility areas like
capacity were some of the major
industrial automation, smart cities
drivers of the development of
and healthcare (IEEE, 2021).
increasingly faster Ethernet
 Local Area Networks (VLANs) and

Ethernet Switching favors the management

Discussion
function of the network administrator,

where it is easier to segment, scale and

The findings from the Wireshark Lab optimize the network. For example,

simulation corroborate the importance of creating different VLANs from one

Ethernet evolution in meeting the evolving physical network could separate a network

needs of modern networks. into logical networks, letting organizations

1. Ethernet Evolution: to scale up whilst decongesting the

network.
The next generation we are seeking is the

ultimate culmination of this trend from

traditional Ethernet, for example 10BASE- 3. Interoperability:

T to faster evolutions like Gigabit

With a number of devices and technologies
Ethernet, 1000BASE-T or 10GBASE-T.
available in the network, many of which
Speed and capacity enhancements of
include computers, servers and IoT
Ethernet services are basically to handle
devices, there is an added layer of need for
the network traffic growth featuring faster
interoperability. Companies often use
transfer rate so to have good performance.
ethernet standards as a universal language

in which all devices can communicate with

2. Network Scalability: one another correctly. Devices

manufactured by various vendors could be

Scale big enterprise network is an obvious
quickly wiring-designed and networked
choice for the increase in the quantity of
over Ethernet protocols. For this purpose,
devices and users in the future. The echo
the devices from various manufactures can
of the Ethernet (namely ) such as Virtual
be comfortably connected and exchange In time to come, innovation in networks

the information. might be in need address those things like

advanced Ethernet standard and protocols

for the current pull-outs in process. As an

4. Security:
example, investigation of Software

The vulnerability of ethernet network is of Defined Networking (SDN) and Ethernet

two types: passive and active. They are the Virtual Private Networks (EVPN) aims at

attacks of eavesdropping,spoofing, and the improving network management and large-

unauthorized access. Why Ethernet scale network. The combination of these

security protocols have been developed as factors ranging from advancement in

evolution, such as IEEE 802.1X Ethernet technologies inclusive Power

authentication and the media latency over Ethernet (PoE) and Ethernet-based

solution (MACsec), should be mentioned. industrial networks may increase the areas

To illustrate, the IEEE 802.1X where ethernet could be applied.

specification hase a port-based network

access which means that illegitimate

Analyzing these practical instances, helps
devices may not connect to the network.
us to comprehend that the conclusions,
MACsec ensures the integrity and secrecy
made by the execution of Wireshark Lab
protection of Ethernet connections
simulations are supporting the trend of
between different network devices.
Ethernet development in line with the
Therefore, the communication within the
development of various types of networks.
network is kept secure.

5. Future Research Focus

Conclusion transmission rates and network

performance doesn’t stop.

In a nutshell, journey from everything that

simple initial stage to its importance in The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and

modern networking systems proves its Electronics Engineers) has came to the

importance and flexibility. This paper forefront by leading the efforts towards the

delves into the evolution of the Ethernet, standardization, which has dramatically

from its initial formation to the current impacted the development road of

time, with significant events and Ethernet. Collaborative efforts coupled

technological breakthroughs which shaped with participatory processes helped to

its development being highlighted. improve Ethernet standards inducing

higher transmission rates for both twisted-

pair copper and optical fiber.

From its beginning at Xerox PARC in the

late 1970s to its wide-spread use in

enterprise, telecommunication and Along with the adoption of Ethernet to the

industrial services, Ethernet has constantly recent technologies of PoE and IoT, its

become sophistication in support of the utilization and implementation have been

increasing scalability, dependability and enlarged considerably. For example, OPE

network speed. Through the process of technology is one that provides low cost

almost exclusively coaxial cable based installation of phone and surveillance

implementations being replaced with Fast networks in the sectors where they are in

Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and beyond, demand.

one can witness that the race for data

Wireshark Lab results not only illustrate cutting edge of network innovation

the fact that Ethernet evolution is what bringing us to more futuristic years.

modern networks require to meet the needs

of the age, but they are also a proof of it.

Real-life examples prove that the

development of Ethernet extensions brings

the appearance of the availability,

interoperability, and security of networks.

Besides, research projects should be

developing Ethernet standards, protocols

and network management methods to

address the challenges and to increase the

rate of the internet and network

technologies advancement.

In the history of Ethernet, its evolution

proves how the network paradigms are

faster changing, showcasing amazing

tricks, and creating space to fit more

gadgets and applications. The evolution of

Ethernet from its early days is attributed to

the application of the developing

technologies and the absorption of lessons

learns. As a result, Ethernet remains at the

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Amendment 2: Physical Layer

Specifications and Management

Cisco. (2020). Ethernet Switching.
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Management Parameters for 50 Gb/s and

200 Gb/s Operation Over Single-Mode

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