Computers most often communicate by way of Ethernet. In the last few decades, many kinds of networking technologies have come and (largely) gone; computers may have been connected to token-ring networks or connected by AppleTalk cables. Today the industry standard for home and small office computers is Ethernet on UTP cables, which is the technology supported by NetComm's networking devices.

A Brief History of Ethernet

Ethernet was pioneered by Robert Metcalfe (pictured) at the famous Xerox Palo Alto research centre which created the laser printer as well as the graphic user interface that was to be adapted to the Apple Macintosh in 1984. The aim was to provide a method to print to the newly-developed laser printer from any one of the many computers in the building (and at the time this was the only building in the world with hundreds of computers). Xerox' initial development effort was later joined by Digital Equipment Corporation and Intel.

Ethernet becomes a Standard

The original implementation of Ethernet defined by IEEE standard 802.3 was based on the method created by Digital, Intel and Xerox, then known as ‘DIX Ethernet'. Subsequent refinements include 10Base2, 10Base5, and 100BaseT, each defined by a distinct IEEE standard.

This has resulted in the large-scale adoption of the RJ45 connector attached to Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling as the agreed format for most PC networking.

Next: Ethernet Cable and Connection Types