以太网(Ethernet)是有线连接到计算机网络的通用标准。使用以太网(Ethernet)连接的设备使用特定类型的双绞电缆与其他联网设备连接、发送和接收数据，以及访问互联网等更广泛的网络。
使用以太网(Ethernet)连接，您可以将两个设备连接在一起(connect two devices together)，或者创建一个包含多个设备的局域网。(local area network)这些需要路由器或交换机设备来允许连接的设备相互通信。让我们进一步探索以太网标准，并将其与(Ethernet)WiFi进行比较和对比。
不同的以太网标准
什么是以太网(Ethernet)？自 1980 年代首次开发以来，以太网(Ethernet)标准已经发展到可以应对现代计算机网络不断变化的需求。电气(Institute)和电子(Electrical)工程师协会(Electronics Engineers)在IEEE 802.3(IEEE 802.3)的总体参考下制定了这些标准。
每个新的以太网(Ethernet)标准，无论是微小的还是重大的变化，都会获得一个新的增量代码参考来识别它。例如，最新的标准版本之一 802.3bt 处理了通过以太网连接增加(Ethernet)以太网(Power-over-Ethernet)供电设备可用的功率输出。
这也反映在您需要用于以太网(Ethernet)的电缆类型中。例如， Cat-5以太网(Ethernet)电缆仅允许连接速度高达 100Mbits（兆位），而Cat-6电缆支持高达 10Gbits（千兆位）。
不同的以太网(Ethernet)电缆向后兼容，这意味着它们应该相互配合。然而，使用混合以太网(Ethernet)电缆标准的网络只能以最低额定电缆的上限传输和接收数据。
这也适用于几乎所有以太网(Ethernet)标准的变体。例如，使用快速以太网(Fast Ethernet)标准（能够达到 100Mbits 速度）的设备通常会与使用千兆位(Gigabit)（1Gbits 或更高）以太网(Ethernet)标准的设备连接。
以太网与 WiFi
顾名思义，无线（或WiFi）连接提供了有线以太网(Ethernet)连接的无线替代方案。这两种方法都有各自明显的优点和缺点。
以太网通常比 WiFi 连接具有速度优势(generally has a speed advantage over WiFi connections)，最大速度范围从 10Mbits（兆比特）到 100Gbits（千兆比特）。典型的WiFi网络速度要慢得多，其他无线电信号和障碍物的干扰会降低任何无线网络的速度和质量。
在WiFi的上下文中，障碍物是物理的——墙壁和其他物体可以阻挡或降低设备和网络路由器之间的WiFi信号。(WiFi)按照设计，这对于有线以太网(Ethernet)连接来说不是问题，假设您有空间铺设以太网(Ethernet)电缆。虽然可以增强 WiFi 信号(boost WiFi signals)，但以太网(Ethernet)连接完全解决了这个问题。
安全性也是WiFi网络的一个问题。与纯以太网网络相比， WiFi(WiFi)网络更容易被攻破，您需要物理访问才能攻破网络。您可以保护您的 WiFi(secure your WiFi)以帮助降低这种风险，尽管您无法完全消除它。
然而，以太网(Ethernet)与WiFi有一个巨大的缺点。在过去的几十年里，与网络的无线连接使移动设备成为一种切实可行的可能性，以速度和安全性换取便携性和尺寸。(Wireless)
最好的网络是那些为 PC 和服务器等静态设备使用以太网(Ethernet)连接的组合，以及为较小的移动设备使用安全WiFi连接的网络。(WiFi)这适用于家庭网络以及商业环境中的网络。
以太网限制
必须认识到以太网(Ethernet)标准的一些限制，特别是如果您希望使用以太网(Ethernet)电缆构建网络。
正如我们简要提到的，以太网(Ethernet)并不总是最实用的解决方案。在某些情况下，笔记本电脑等便携式设备确实提供以太网(Ethernet)连接以允许有线网络，但这需要基础设施到位才能使用它。
这意味着电缆被铺设，隐藏在视线之外，穿过墙壁和其他物理障碍。如果此电缆因安装不当而损坏或变形，则网络连接将失败。
如果以太网(Ethernet)电缆对电磁干扰的屏蔽不佳，尤其是在较便宜的电缆和较旧的 Cat-5 电缆中，也会发生同样的情况。使用更高等级的电缆，包括 Cat-6 电缆，可以帮助克服这个问题。
然而，最大的限制之一是电缆长度。以太网(Ethernet)电缆越长，它变得越慢，它遇到的干扰量就越大。这就是为什么经过认证的以太网(Ethernet)电缆的最大批准长度为100 米。
更长的电缆理论上可以工作，但连接质量可能会因此受到影响。
以太网的替代用途
以太网(Ethernet)电缆非常灵活，除了简单地发送和接收数据之外，还可以用于其他目的。
一种用途是使用以太网供电(Power)( PoE(Ethernet) )为某些类型的设备供电，例如IP(PoE)语音(Voice-over-IP)( VOIP ) 电话和 IP 摄像机。这使您可以发送和接收数据，同时还可以通过单根电缆接收电源。
以太网(Ethernet)供电( PoE ) 连接通常需要额外的设备才能运行，例如支持PoE的网络交换机。
以太网(Ethernet)的另一个潜在用途，尤其是在媒体设置中，是以太网上的(Ethernet)HDMI。虽然通常需要特殊的转换器，但以太网上的HDMI允许您大大增加媒体播放器和电视等输出设备之间的距离，而典型的HDMI(Ethernet)电缆(HDMI)在其他情况下被限制在 15 米左右。
最后，可以使用USB转以太网转换器扩展USB电缆。(USB)鉴于USB电缆的限制约为 3 到 5 米，这是另一种在较远距离上连接设备（如USB相机）的方式，而典型的连接是不切实际或不可能的。
以太网：仍然相关
以太网(Ethernet)仍然是支撑现代局域网和广域网的骨干网，仍然是计算机网络上设备之间最快和最可靠的通信方法。它还可用于帮助扩展其他输出设备的范围，例如HDMI，以及为使用以太网供电的设备(Ethernet)供电(Power)。
如果您想使用有线连接来连接您的设备，但缺乏铺设以太网(Ethernet)电缆的空间或容量，您可以考虑使用带有电力线适配器的(powerline adapters)以太网(Ethernet)设备。
HDG Explains: What Is Ethernet & Is It Better Than Wifi?
Ethernet is the common standard for wired connectiоns to computer networks. Devices using an Ethernet cоnnection makе use of a sрecіfic type of twisted electrical cable to connect with, send and receive datа with other networkеd dеvices, as well as gain access to wider networks like the internet.
Using an Ethernet connection, you can connect two devices together, or create a local area network with multiple devices. These require a router or switch device to allow the connected devices to communicate with each other. Let’s explore the Ethernet standard a little further, as well as compare and contrast it to WiFi.
Different Ethernet Standards
What is Ethernet? The Ethernet standard has evolved to cope with the changing demands of modern computer networks since it was first developed in the 1980s. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers produce these standards, under the umbrella reference of IEEE 802.3.
Each new Ethernet standard, whether it’s a minor or major change, gains a new incremental code reference to identify it. One of the more recent standard releases, 802.3bt, dealt with increasing the power output available to Power-over-Ethernet devices over Ethernet connections, for instance.
This is reflected, too, in the type of cabling you’d need to use for an Ethernet network. Cat-5 Ethernet cabling, for instance, only allows for connections up to speeds of 100Mbits (megabits), while Cat-6 cabling supports up to 10Gbits (gigabits).
Different Ethernet cables are backward-compatible, meaning they should work with each other. Networks using a mix of Ethernet cabling standards will only be able to transmit and receive data at the upper limit of the lowest-rated cable, however.
This is also true for almost all variations of Ethernet standards. Devices using the Fast Ethernet standard (capable of 100Mbits speeds) will generally connect with devices using the Gigabit (1Gbits and higher) Ethernet standard, for instance.
Ethernet vs WiFi
As the name suggests, wireless (or WiFi) connections offer a wireless alternative to wired, Ethernet connections. Both methods offer their own distinct advantages and disadvantages over the other.
Ethernet generally has a speed advantage over WiFi connections, with maximum speeds ranging from 10Mbits (megabits) to 100Gbits (gigabits) available. Typical WiFi networks are much slower, with the added downside of disruption from other radio signals and obstacles reducing the speed and quality of any wireless network.
In the context of WiFi, obstacles are physical—walls and other objects can block or degrade WiFi signals between a device and a network router. By design, this isn’t a problem for wired Ethernet connections, assuming you have the space to lay Ethernet cabling. While it is possible to boost WiFi signals, an Ethernet connection does away with the problem entirely.
Security is also a problem for WiFi networks. WiFi networks can be breached with far more ease than an Ethernet-only network, where you would need physical access to be able to breach the network. You can secure your WiFi to help reduce this risk, although you can’t eliminate it entirely.
There is one huge downside to Ethernet vs WiFi, however. Wireless connectivity to networks has allowed mobile devices to become a practical possibility over the last few decades, trading speed and security for portability and size.
The best networks are those that use a combination of Ethernet connections for static devices like PCs and servers, and secure WiFi connections for smaller, mobile devices. This applies to networks in the home, as well as those in a business setting.
Ethernet Limitations
There are some limitations to the Ethernet standard that must be recognized, especially if you’re looking to build a network using Ethernet cabling.
As we briefly mentioned, Ethernet isn’t always the most practical solution. Portable devices like laptops do, in some cases, offer Ethernet connectivity to allow for wired networking, but that requires the infrastructure to be in place to be able to use it.
That means cables being laid, hidden from view, through walls and other physical obstacles. If this cabling becomes damaged or misshapen through poor installation, the network connection will fail.
The same can happen if an Ethernet cable is poorly shielded from electromagnetic interference, especially in cheaper cabling and in older Cat-5 cables. Using higher rated cabling, including Cat-6 cables, can help to overcome this problem.
One of the biggest limitations, however, is cabling length. The longer an Ethernet cable is, the slower it becomes, and the greater the amount of interference it encounters. This is why the maximum approved length for certified Ethernet cables is 100 meters.
Longer cables could theoretically work, but the quality of the connection will likely suffer as a result.
Alternative Uses for Ethernet
Ethernet cabling is quite flexible and can be used for other purposes beyond simply sending and receiving data.
One use is to provide power to certain types of devices, like Voice-over-IP (VOIP) phones and IP cameras, using Power over Ethernet (PoE). This allows you to send and receive data while also receiving power over a single cable.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections usually require additional equipment to operate, like a PoE-capable network switch.
Another potential use for Ethernet, especially in media setups, is HDMI over Ethernet. While a special convertor is usually required, HDMI over Ethernet allows you to vastly increase the distance between a media player and an output device like a TV, where typical HDMI cabling is otherwise limited to around 15 meters.
Finally, USB cabling can be extended using a USB-to-Ethernet converter. Given the USB cabling limit is around 3 to 5 meters, this is another way to connect devices (like a USB camera) over a larger distance where typical connectivity is impractical or impossible.
Ethernet: Still Relevant
Ethernet is still the backbone that underpins modern local and wide area networks, remaining the fastest and most reliable method of communication between devices on computer networks. It can also be used to help extend the range of other output devices, like HDMI, as well as provide power to devices using Power over Ethernet.
If you want to connect your devices using a wired connection, but lack the space or capacity to lay Ethernet cabling, you could consider using Ethernet devices with powerline adapters instead.
