In Introduction to Ethernet post we learned about this technology and I want to share with you the basic attributes of the Ethernet interface.
The attributes of an interface refer to the inherent attributes of the interface. These attributes determine the operation mode and outward performance of the interface. The attributes of an interface can be configured.
Interfaces on the Switch support the following features:
Auto-negotiation
Traffic control
Types of network cables supported by interfaces
Jumbo frames
Virtual cable test
Let's take a closer look at them
Auto-negotiation
With the development of network technologies, the devices on the network adopt various operation modes. To make the two ends on an Ethernet link adopt the same operation mode, a mechanism of automatic configuration is introduced. This mechanism is called auto-negotiation.
Traffic control
Interfaces can be configured with traffic control or auto-negotiation of traffic control to implement back pressure on congestion and control congestion.
Types of network cables supported by interfaces
This attribute is used to support the network cables with different wire sequences.
Jumbo frames
Generally, the length of a frame cannot exceed 1518 bytes. A large number of frames may enlarge the useless space between frames and lengthen frame headers. In this case, more bandwidths are occupied and bandwidth usage is reduced. Jumbo frames on the interface can reduce the number of frames and improve the bandwidth usage.
Virtual cable test
Currently, cables on LANs are laid inside walls or underground considering factors such as security and good looking. Tt is difficult to remove errors on cables. The Virtual Cable Test (VCT) technology is used. Generally, the technology of cable detection based on the Time Domain Reflect (TDR) is integrated on the existing PHY. By controlling the related hardware interfaces, the VCT function shows the status of cables through friendly interfaces. In this manner, users can conveniently and quickly locate faults and check lengths of cables.
References:
IEEE 802.3
