Ethernet is Still Going Strong After 50 Years

Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in California is known for pioneering computer technologies, including the Alto (the first personal computer with a graphical user interface) and the first laser printer.

[{"selector":"#anim-d49d4565-d2cd-4c62-a4e3-8a15e0941e25 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, -0.00004065534005093241%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] PARC is also recognized for the invention of Ethernet, a networking technology for high-speed data transmission over coaxial cables.

[{"selector":"#anim-2553e6cc-0c2a-4d21-a42d-d4d1985148c8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.36615760463363%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Ethernet development began in 1973 when Charles P. Thacker and Robert M. Metcalfe envisioned a network to connect Alto computers, laser printers, and PARC's gateway to ARPANET.

Metcalfe and David Boggs joined the effort to create Ethernet, inspired by the ALOHAnet packet radio network at the University of Hawai’i.

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Ethernet's design used coaxial cables for faster data transmission and allowed users to join or exit the network without shutting it down.

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[{"selector":"#anim-1f61699a-af44-47f4-af23-3671ce84812d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The first version of Ethernet was designed in 1973, with a 9.5mm thick coaxial cable laid in the PARC building.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce505f3b-f1e8-424d-b579-3bdfdfb9163e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.299866907804912%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A U.S. patent was granted in 1978 to Metcalfe, Boggs, Thacker, and Butler W. Lampson for their Ethernet invention.

[{"selector":"#anim-37d16275-c86a-4b85-ae80-d5d5b99ccdc2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.09788592078243%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] In 1980, PARC released Ethernet running at 10 Mb/s in collaboration with Intel and Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC).

[{"selector":"#anim-62388176-484a-40dd-9de8-35c9eae3269b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Ethernet became commercially available in 1980 and grew into the industry LAN standard, adopted by IEEE 802 Local Area Network Standards Committee in June 1983.

[{"selector":"#anim-d54e8361-d6d2-491d-95f6-6c64ddf2d8a5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.299866907804912%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Currently, the IEEE 802 family consists of 67 published standards, and Ethernet remains widely used in various settings worldwide.