Ethernet

Ethernet Switching Modes
Michael Martin
NTC/405
February 16, 2015
Ronald Bowell

Ethernet Switching Modes
Ethernet has transformed computer systems from isolated, solitary islands to a network of computing devices with limitless potential. Unfortunately, before Ethernet, network computing was administered solely by proto-geeks who wore white coats and pocket protectors. Previously, the best idea these so-called geeks came up with before Ethernet, was sneaker-net, which meant individuals had to save the files to a disk, lace up their tennis shoes and marched to the next computing device. All of this was done before Ethernet was an industry standard. However, more recently, geeks have utilized the potential of Ethernet to move frames or packets across a network. Ethernet invented and utilized in the 1990s focuses on a hybrid star bus (Meyers, 2009). Because of Ethernets adequate performance, and superior economics, it won the heart of network administrators and most people using networking equipment. Today, Ethernet focuses on wired LAN technology and continues to grow in speed and sophistication. Despite Ethernet’s sophistication, its means of communication is done in a systematic manner. For instance, Ethernet sends data across a network in frames or packets. Data is wrapped in six layers of assembly which consist of first a Preamble, next a recipient MAC address, followed by a senders MAC address, length, (Data), Pad, and the cyclic redundancy checker for errors of missed packets. Lastly, but more importantly, the foundation of Ethernet are found at the physical and data link layer of the OSI model. Basics between Channels and Circuits Channels and Circuits rely on one another to send and receive digital and analog transmission signals. A Circuit is the electrical current between two endpoints that are sending and receiving data. A channel is a portion of the circuit that is used to transmit a single voice or data signal, which can be either a 4 kHz signal in analog transmission or 64 Kb/s signal in digital transmission” (Thakur, n.d.). More importantly concerning channels and circuits is how the signals are transmitted. An electric circuit is formed when a conductive path is created to allow free electrons to continuously move. This continuous movement of free electrons through the conductors of a circuit is called a current, and it is often referred to in terms of "flow," just like the flow of a liquid through a hollow pipe (All about circuits, 2015).
Ohm’s Law The reason electrical current is so hard to explain is because it has no physical form. In order to explain circuits, the term Ohm’s law was created. Ohm’s law make the term circuit meaningful by explaining circuits through examples, such as, temperature, volume, and length. In mathematical terms Ohm’s Law is defined as such, “Ohm's Law is the mathematical relationship among electric current, resistance, and voltage. Furthermore, “the principle is named after the German scientist Georg Simon Ohm. In direct-current (DC) circuits, Ohm's Law is simple and linear. Suppose a resistance having a value of R ohms carries a current of I amperes. Then the voltage across the resistor is equal to the product IR. There are two corollaries. If a DC power source providing E volts is placed across a resistance of R ohms, then the current through the resistance is equal to E/R amperes. Also, in a DC circuit, if E volts appear across a component that carries I amperes, then the resistance of that component is equal to E/I ohms” (Rouse, 2005).
Packet and Circuit Switching Circuit switching started a long time ago with analog telephones. A phone call between two users was based on a dedicated connection. Furthermore, because a dedicated connection was established the two users only could use this line at a specific time. “Circuit switching is a telecommunications technology by which two network nodes establish a dedicated communication channel (circuit) connecting them for the duration of the session before the nodes can communicate” (Lopez, 2013). In contrast to circuit switching, packet switching came along more recently. Because of packet switching, networks are able to send small chucks of data on a medium that reaches billions of people (the Internet). “Packet switching is the method of breaking data files into small packets or small chunks in order to send them across a network” (Lopez, 2013). Packet switching networks are more efficient because instead of wasting a line, making it dedicated to only two users, the line is used to send small chucks of data to and from numerous users. Expressly, packet switching is the wave of future for technology. Packet switching allows more security, efficient use of bandwidth, than circuit switching in addition to communication for devices of different speeds.
Network Protocols In order to detail network protocols completely let us look at the foundation of networking. Ethernet is a standard for a family of network technologies that share the same basic bus topology, frame type, and network access methods (Meyer, 2009). Ethernet operates in the physical and link layer of the OSI model. Ethernet similar to network protocol was created in order to standardize network communication. Because Ethernet is physical, one might think that it has nothing to do with network communication, however, Ethernet is network communication’s foundation.

To define the network protocols, and how they provide safety against communications failure, let us start with the networks most mystical protocol. Transmission Control Protocol provides service that ensures accurate and timely delivery between two hosts on a network. TCP not only provide safety for network communication, but it provides sequencing of data packets, flow control, and error checking. TCP operates at the transport layer of the OSI model. Because TCP really means 500 more terms such as HTTP, DHCP, and POP etc… therefore, TCP becomes so vague upon explanation. However, each of these protocols are design for a more efficient way of communicating.
Business Benefits
Today, every business can benefit because of computer networks. One might think that a network for a business is too sophisticated, but how about an internetwork; or better yet a website hosted on the internet. The benefits of a network and its potential are limitless for businesses today. Around the world companies, have networking needs, such as POTS lines or even VoIP. “This has been a very valuable information network within and between businesses for decades now. POTS have even carried digital data between fax machines and computers equipped with modems. Increasingly, business voice communication is being done on mobile phones linked together by cellular networks or on smartphones connected to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks” (Hawes, 2012). What about financially, or supply wise, or even transportation? The question is not if we need a network. No, the question is how can an individual maintain with networks all around? For the most part individuals need networks presently just to be social.

Conclusion
With that said, computer networks have limitless potential within today’s society, economy, and government. Everything is globalized and is centered on computer networks. Unfortunately, the world did not start this small, but computer networks have allowed individuals from across the planet to communicate seamlessly. Computer networks had humble beginning but look at the world today. Because of all of these methods presently for communicating the world became smaller and smaller and that is how it should be, CONNECTED.

References
Hawes, L. (2012, Spring). Types of business networks. Forbes
Lopez, N. (Year). [Video file]. Retrieved from YOUTUBE website:http://youtu.be/Aws19KjAd ms
Meyers, M. (2009). CompTia Network+ (4th ed.).
Rouse, M. (n.d.). Ohm's law/http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Ohms-Law