What standard is 802.3?

The IEEE 802.3 standard defines the specifications for Ethernet networking. Ethernet is a widely used technology for connecting devices in a local area network (LAN). It encompasses various protocols for wired connections, detailing how data packets are placed on and retrieved from the network medium.

The relevance of 802.3 in practical applications lies in its ability to facilitate communication between devices over different types of physical media, including twisted pair cables and fiber optics. This standard has evolved over time, leading to advancements such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and even 10 Gigabit Ethernet, all of which fall under the umbrella of the 802.3 standard.

In contrast, Wi-Fi pertains to wireless networking and is associated with different standards under the 802.11 series. Bluetooth is a standard for short-range wireless communication, primarily used for personal area networking. Token Ring, which is now largely obsolete, is a local area networking technology that operates on a token-passing protocol rather than the Ethernet standard defined by 802.3.