IEEE Ethernet naming rules

IEEE Ethernet naming rules
6.1.2 This page focuses on the Ethernet naming rules developed by IEEE.


Ethernet is not one networking technology, but a family of networking technologies that includes Legacy, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. Ethernet speeds can be 10, 100, 1000, or 10,000 Mbps. The basic frame format and the IEEE sublayers of OSI Layers 1 and 2 remain consistent across all forms of Ethernet.

When Ethernet needs to be expanded to add a new medium or capability, the IEEE issues a new supplement to the 802.3 standard. The new supplements are given a one or two letter designation such as 802.3u. An abbreviated description, called an identifier, is also assigned to the supplement.

The abbreviated description consists of the following elements:

• A number that indicates the number of Mbps transmitted
• The word base to indicate that baseband signaling is used
• One or more letters of the alphabet indicating the type of medium used. For example, F = fiber optical cable and T = copper unshielded twisted pair

Ethernet relies on baseband signaling, which uses the entire bandwidth of the transmission medium. The data signal is transmitted directly over the transmission medium.

In broadband signaling, the data signal is no longer placed directly on the transmission medium. Ethernet used broadband signaling in the 10BROAD36 standard. 10BROAD36 is the IEEE standard for an 802.3 Ethernet network using broadband transmission with thick coaxial cable running at 10 Mbps. 10BROAD36 is now considered obsolete. An analog or carrier signal is modulated by the data signal and then transmitted. Radio broadcasts and cable TV use broadband signaling.

IEEE cannot force manufacturers to fully comply with any standard. IEEE has two main objectives:

• Supply the information necessary to build devices that comply with Ethernet standards
• Promote innovation among manufacturers