What is Ethernet? Everything you need to know about wired networks

Before it became Wi-Fi Ethernet, once ubiquitous, was the preferred way to connect your devices to the Internet. By running Ethernet cables into a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), you can send data back and forth. It is still widely used because sending data over cables is usually faster, more reliable and more secure than sending it as radio waves, as Wi-Fi does.

If you want it Get the best from your internet connectionEthernet is still a great way to do this, and is an obvious choice for any organization that values ​​high speed, security, and reliability. Here’s everything you need to know about Ethernet. You may also want to dive into our guides How to buy a router, Best wifi routersand The best networking systems.

Updated April 2026: Added more information about Ethernet, including tips about cabling, as well as a new section about Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) that includes some recommended products.

History of Ethernet

First created in 1973 by a group of Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) engineers, including Robert Metcalf and David Boggs, Ethernet allowed people to connect multiple computers in a local area network (LAN). Ethernet provided a set of rules for sending data back and forth between specific devices quickly. The name Ethernet is inspired by… Luminous ether.

To simplify widely Early history of EthernetXerox abandoned its trademark on the name Ethernet, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) formalized the 802.3 standard (also known as Ethernet) in 1983. There were other technologies, but Ethernet quickly became the dominant standard because it was open, so networking equipment was available from many manufacturers. Ethernet was also easy to upgrade, with each version offering backward compatibility.

The first official version of Ethernet to support speeds up to 10 Mbps. Then 100 Mbps Ethernet appeared in 1995, followed by Gigabit Ethernet in 1999. By 2002, 10 Gigabit Ethernet became possible. Power over Ethernet, or PoE, which enabled devices to use a single cable for power and networking, arrived in 2003. Work has continued to increase Ethernet capabilities since then, reaching 40 Gbps in 2010, then 100 Gbps later that same year. Research continues, but 40 Gbps is the maximum speed available for home use today, and that’s far more than most of us need.

Ethernet and WiFi

Even if you’ve only used Wi-Fi, you’re probably familiar with Ethernet jacks and cables. The cable that connects your modem to your Wi-Fi router or main network unit is likely an Ethernet cable with an RJ45 connector. Ethernet offers three main advantages over Wi-Fi: it is usually faster, more stable, and Safer. But it requires you to run cables between devices, and the connected devices must have Ethernet ports. Network wiring can also be complex and expensive.

While Wi-Fi 7 technically delivers speeds that can rival Ethernet, Wi-Fi is susceptible to interference and speed fluctuations. Ethernet provides consistent latency and throughput. Bufferbloat, where devices compete to stream on the same wireless channel and cause lag, can also be a problem for Wi-Fi. Ethernet cables give devices their own dedicated channel, so your roommate starting a big download won’t necessarily cause your Netflix to buffer, as it might with shared Wi-Fi bandwidth.

Ultimately, the speed you get will always be limited by the lowest-rated component, whether that’s the cable, port, or adapter. Let’s take a closer look at the three.

Ethernet cables

Image: Amazon

There are seven categories of Ethernet cables in use today, offering different maximum bandwidth and data rates.