Ethernet

The ethernet is a system for connecting computers within a building using hardware running from machine to machine. It differs from the Internet, which connects remotely located computers by telephone line, software protocol and some hardware. Ethernet uses some software (borrowed from Internet Protocol), but the connecting hardware was the basis of the patent (#4,063,220) involving newly designed chips and wiring. The patent* describes ethernet as a "multipoint data communication system with collision detection".

In simple terms ethernet is the most common LAN (Local Area Network) technology in use today.Ethernet was developed by Xerox in the 1970s, and became popular after Digital Equipment Corporation and Intel joined Xerox in developing the Ethernet standard in 1980.Ethernet was officially accepted as IEEE standard 802.3 in 1985.
The original Xerox Ethernet operated at 3Mbps. Ethernet networks up to 10Gbps now exist.

Ethernet uses CSMA/CD when transmitting packets. The Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) is an algorithm, for transmitting and receiving packets over a common network hardware medium, by aiding in avoiding transmission collisions. The network is checked for other transmissions; when the way is clear, the computer transmissions can begin. If a collision is detected the packet is retransmitted later.