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Bandwidth Calculations: Digital Media Adapters (DMAs): HP Jetdirect 200m Print Server: Network Protocols: Transfer Rate Specs:

IEEE 802.3 CSMA-CD (ETHERNET)

EtherNet Networking:

The most widely-used (CAT5 - RJ45 Wired) Local Area Network (LAN) access method, defined by the IEEE as the 802.3 standard. Networking generally implies Ethernet. Today, when we refer to the LAN (Local Area Network) adapter or Network Interface Card (NIC), we inference EtherNet Networking. 

Desktop EtherNet has four Bandwidth Standards:

1. 10BaseT = Ethernet
2. 100BaseT = Fast Ethernet
3. 1000BaseT = Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). See: Gigabit - Intel's CSA Architecture.
4. Coming... 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE). At One time Gigabit was allocated to Network Backbone Operations.
   1. Intel.com - Network Connectivity - Intel PRO-10GbE Server Adapter:
5. Comparing... Broadband = 1.544 Mbps [DSL] and 2.720 Mbps [Cable] - The term commonly used referencing communications lines or services at T1 rates (1.544 Mbps) and above. Broadband throughput depends upon the Technology employed and can fall well below or well above T1 speeds such as DSL or Cable as mentioned above respectively. Anything beats DialUp!

Desktop Ethernet is normally a Shared Media LAN (File & Printer Sharing). All stations on the segment share the total bandwidth (expressed in bps - bits per second), which is either 10 Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) or 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). With Switched Ethernet, each sender and receiver pair have access to full Bandwidth hence the term, Full Duplex.

EtherNet Connectivity Devices:

EtherNet LANs can be created and linked between 2 or more PCs. Two PCs each with LAN cards can be directly linked through a Direct Cable Crossover connection. Three or more PCs require separate Connectivity Devices to physically connect them together simultaneously such as a Hub, Switch or preferably a Router.

Basic LAN Hardware:

1. EtherNet NIC (Network Interface Card) - Can be a PCI / PCI Express card or Built-on to the MotherBoard supporting 10/100BaseT, 1,000BaseT or faster. A NIC (Network Interface card) a.k.a. LAN card Built-on to the MotherBoard is preferable since this would have a lower capacitance load value. See: CSA GigaBit.
2. Hub = Bandwidth is shared among all PCs.
    
3. Switch = Greater Bandwidth over Hubs since each Sender PC & Receiver PC Pair have full Bandwidth capacity.
    
4. Router = An intelligent PC & Switch device, forwarding traffic from WAN (Wide Area Network - Internet) to LAN (Local Area Network). Routers require each PC to have installed a Routable Protocol such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). See: Common Windows Networking Protocols.
5. Gateway - From WinXP Pro Help: "A device connected to multiple physical TCP/IP networks capable of Routing or delivering IP packets between them. A Gateway translates between different transport protocols or data formats (for example, IPX and IP) and is generally added to a network primarily for its translation ability."
   1. Residential Gateway from WinXP Pro Help: "A Residential Gateway is a hardware device connecting the home or small office network to the Internet. Similar to Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing, the Gateway allows you to share a DSL or Cable Modem Internet connection with all of the computers in your home or small office network. The residential Gateway sits between your DSL or cable modem and home or small office network."

Keep Is Simple (K.I.S.S.) - Either use a Router or if you have a spare PC, download and install www.SmoothWall.org for your Dedicated Hardware Firewall Gateway Appliance.