IEEE 802

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IEEE 802

IEEE 802 is a series of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that define the physical and data link layers of local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs). The standards cover a wide range of technologies, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and fiber optics.

What does IEEE 802 mean?

IEEE 802 is a group of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that define the physical layer and Data link layer protocols for local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs). These standards provide the foundation for wired and wireless networking technologies, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

IEEE 802 standards address a wide range of aspects related to LAN and MAN operation, including:

  • Media access control (MAC): Specifies the protocols and mechanisms for managing access to the shared physical medium, ensuring that devices can communicate without collisions.
  • Physical layer (PHY): Defines the electrical and optical characteristics of the physical medium, such as cable types, transmission speeds, and modulation techniques.
  • Network management: Provides protocols and capabilities for monitoring, managing, and troubleshooting network Infrastructure.

IEEE 802 standards are classified into subcommittees based on specific areas of focus, including:

  • 802.1: Bridging and internetworking
  • 802.2: Logical Link Control (LLC)
  • 802.3: Ethernet
  • 802.4: Token Bus
  • 802.5: Token Ring
  • 802.6: Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
  • 802.11: Wireless LANs (Wi-Fi)
  • 802.15: Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)
  • 802.16: Broadband Wireless Access (WiMAX)

Applications

IEEE 802 standards play a crucial role in the operation of LANs and MANs, enabling devices to connect and communicate effectively. Key applications of IEEE 802 include:

  • Wired LANs:
  • Ethernet (802.3): Widely used in home, Office, and data center networks, providing high-Speed wired connectivity for devices.
  • Token Ring (802.5): An older LAN technology that was widely deployed in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Wireless LANs:
  • Wi-Fi (802.11): Enables wireless connectivity for devices in homes, offices, public areas, and more.
  • Bluetooth (802.15.1): Facilitates short-range Wireless communication for devices such as smartphones, headphones, and keyboards.
  • Industrial Networking:
  • PROFINET (802.3): A specialized Ethernet-based protocol designed for industrial automation and manufacturing environments.
  • EtherCAT (802.3): A high-performance Ethernet-based protocol used in industrial control systems.

History

The development of IEEE 802 standards began in the early 1980s with the formation of the IEEE 802 committee. The committee’s goal was to standardize the communication protocols for LANs, which were becoming increasingly important for connecting devices within organizations.

In 1983, the committee published the first IEEE 802 standard, 802.3, which defined the Ethernet protocol. Ethernet quickly gained popularity and became the dominant LAN technology. Over the years, IEEE 802.3 has been revised and updated to support higher speeds and new technologies.

In the late 1980s, the committee developed 802.11, the standard for wireless LANs. Wi-Fi, based on 802.11, became widely adopted in the 1990s and revolutionized wireless connectivity. Since then, 802.11 has continued to evolve with new versions supporting faster speeds, better security, and improved reliability.

Today, IEEE 802 continues to be actively developed with the addition of new standards and revisions to existing standards. The committee’s work is essential for the advancement of LAN and MAN technologies, ensuring interoperability, reliability, and performance in a wide range of applications.