Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 and DIX) -Study Notes for PSC, SSC, and RRB IT Exams

Welcome to the Computer Science and Technology Study Materials section from CoreNetworkZ EdTech Solutions, a leading mock test and competitive exam preparation platform, for students preparing for SSC, DSSSB, and Kerala PSC examinations. Today, I will explain an ICMP error - Destination Host Unreachable.

Ethernet is the popular LAN technology to create a home network. IEEE 802.3 defines the technical aspects of an Ethernet.

Ethernet is a LAN media type that uses CSMA/CD to send information and functions at the Data Link Layer of the OSI Reference Model.

Ethernet media types having different physical topologies but support a single logical topology: bus topology. I will explain the different kinds of topologies supported by Ethernet later.

We can design an Ethernet LAN with different shapes (using different physical topologies), but the communication happens in Bus topology only.

SSC, DSSSB, and Kerala PSC conduct examinations for various IT posts.

Understanding the Ethernet standards is essential for candidates appearing for the DSSSB PGT/TGT Computer Science, Kerala PSC Degree Level Exam, SSC Scientific Assistant (CS), VSSC Technical Assistant, and System Analyst posts. These networking fundamentals are core parts of the Computer Science syllabus.

Kerala PSC Degree Level examinations have a Computer Science section where students can expect questions from this section. You can check the Kerala PSC Degree Level Common Prelims Syllabus under the Computer Science section. I recommend you download the syllabus using this official link.

Reference: https://www.keralapsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-02/syllubus.pdf

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You must understand one point. Ethernet supports multiple physical topologies. However, the communication happens in bus topology only.

1. Bus topology
   
   
2. Star Topology
   
   
3. Point to Point

Standard	Common Name	Speed	Cable Type
10Base-T	Standard Ethernet	10 Mbps	Twisted Pair (Cat3/5)
100Base-TX	Fast Ethernet	100 Mbps	Twisted Pair (Cat5)
1000Base-T	Gigabit Ethernet	1000 Mbps	Twisted Pair (Cat5e/6)
10GBase-T	10-Gigabit Ethernet	10 Gbps	Twisted Pair (Cat6a/7)

It has two versions right now. One is the DIX version, and the second is the IEEE version. This tutorial explains various topologies and versions of Ethernet.

Let us check the two different Ethernet standards.

1. DIX Version

   DIX Ethernet or Ethernet 2 is popular. This version does not split the Data Link layer into two. Ethernet 2 has a frame value of more than 1500. This standard is designed by the combined work of three companies.

   Those companies are DEC, Intel, and Xerox. This standard gets the name DIX by taking the first letter from the names of these three companies.

2. IEEE Version

   This version of Ethernet comes under IEEE 802.2 and 802.3. Here, the data link layer has two divisions. They are LLC and MAC. To read more about it, visit the links below.

   
   

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   We can easily distinguish between an IEEE ethernet and a DIX Ethernet. The Frame value of IEEE802.3 is less than 1500. It is the difference between IEEE and DIX versions.

1. https://www.keralapsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-02/syllubus.pdf
2. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/tech/lan-switching/ethernet/index.html