This post serves to clear up the use of the word ethernet as a common mistake is to use the terms ethernet cable and UTP interchangeably.
In this post:
1. Ethernet
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary defines ethernet as “a computer network architecture consisting of various specified local-area network protocols, devices, and connection methods”. [1]
It is commonly used in LANs.
2. Ethernet cable
The original Ethernet used a thick coaxial cable. This was superseded by 10BASE2, which used a thinner and more flexible cable that was both cheaper and easier to use. More modern Ethernet variants use twisted pair and fibre optic links in conjunction with switches. [2]
In short, an ethernet cable refers to any cable used to create an Ethernet network. Shielded & Unsheilded Twisted Pair (“UTP”) can therefore be categorised as ethernet cables.
3. Fly leads & surface box mounts
Rather than crimp an RJ45 directly onto an ethernet cable coming from a switch, the ethernet cable is often terminated in a surface box mount. A fly lead with an RJ45 on either end then connects the device to the surface box mount.
4. No such thing
Although we use these terms in everyday conversation, do not use the following terms in CAT, ICT or IT (especially when answering questions during assessment): network cable, Internet cable.
References:
- Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. Ethernet https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ethernet (Date Accessed: 4 November 2023)
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2023) Ethernet. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet (Accessed: 4 November 2023).