CCNA Data Center - Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking Study Guide: Exam 640-911

Chapter 3

Ethernet Technologies

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

• Describing Ethernet Connections

• Ethernet LAN Hardware
• Ethernet Transceivers and Cables
• UTP Implementation

• Describing Ethernet Communications Standards

• Definition of a LAN
• Components of a LAN
• Functions of a LAN
• Ethernet
• Ethernet LAN Standards
• Role of CSMA/CD in Ethernet
• Ethernet Frames
• Ethernet Frame Addressing
• Ethernet Addresses
• MAC Addresses and Binary/Hexadecimal Numbers

Before we move on and explore TCP/IP and DoD models, IP addressing, subnetting, and routing in the upcoming chapters, you’ve got to understand the big picture of LANs and learn the answers to two key questions: How is Ethernet used in today’s networks? What are Media Access Control (MAC) addresses and how are they used?

This chapter will answer those questions and more. I’ll not only discuss the basics of Ethernet and the way MAC addresses are used on an Ethernet LAN, I’ll cover the protocols used with Ethernet at the Data Link layer as well. You’ll also learn about the various Ethernet specifications.

As you learned in Chapter 2, “Internetworking,” there are a bunch of different types of devices specified at the different layers of the OSI model, and it’s very important to understand the many types of cables and connectors used for connecting all those devices to a network. This chapter will review the various cabling used with Cisco devices, describing how to connect to a router or switch and even how ...