# what is interrnet

By [couch](https://paragraph.com/@couch) · 2023-03-30

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**Ethernet** ([/ˈiːθərnɛt/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English)) is a family of wired [computer networking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network) technologies commonly used in [local area networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network) (LAN), [metropolitan area networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_area_network) (MAN) and [wide area networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_network) (WAN).[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet#cite_note-1) It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 1983 as [IEEE 802.3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.3). Ethernet has since been refined to support higher [bit rates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_rate), a greater number of nodes, and longer link distances, but retains much [backward compatibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backward_compatibility). Over time, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies such as [Token Ring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Token_Ring), [FDDI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_Distributed_Data_Interface) and [ARCNET](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARCNET).

The original [10BASE5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10BASE5) Ethernet uses a thick [coaxial cable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable) as a [shared medium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_medium). This was largely superseded by [10BASE2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10BASE2), which used a thinner and more flexible cable that was easier to use. More modern Ethernet variants use [twisted pair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_over_twisted_pair) and [fiber optic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_fiber) links in conjunction with [switches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switch). Over the course of its history, Ethernet data transfer rates have been increased from the original 2.94 [Mbit/s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megabit_per_second)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet#cite_note-Alto-2) to the latest [400 Gbit/s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terabit_Ethernet), with rates up to 1.6 [Tbit/s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terabit_per_second) under development. The [Ethernet standards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ethernet_standards) include several [wiring and signaling variants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_physical_layer) of the [OSI physical layer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_layer).

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*Originally published on [couch](https://paragraph.com/@couch/what-is-interrnet)*