M

MAC and
d Choos
se
O
Objectives
Explain basic
b switchiing concepts
s.
In this
s activity, you will indicate your
y knowled
dge of Etherne et technologyy by successfuully comparinng legacy
to currrent standardds. You will sppeculate on potential
p future
e Ethernet tecchnology stan
ndards, and e explain
why MAC
M addresses and framin ng formats ha
ave stayed ba asically the sa
ame, in order to assist data
a
transmmission, durinng Ethernets evolution.

B
Backgroun
nd/Scenario
o
Note: This activity is best completed in group
ps of 2-3 stud
dents.
Pleas
se view the vid
deo, The Histtory of Ethern
net, located att the following
g link:
http:///www.neteven
nts.tv/video/bo
ob-metcalfe-tthe-history-of--ethernet
Topic
cs discussed in the video in
nclude not only where we h have come fro
om in Etherne
et developme
ent, but
where
e we are going with Ethernnet technologyy in the future
e!
1. After viewing the video and comparinng its contentts to what you
u read in the cchapter, go to
o the web
and searchh for information about Eth
hernet:
How was
w Ethernet used
u when it was first deve
eloped?
How has
h Ethernet stayed
s the same over the p past 25 yearss? What changes are being
g made to
make it more useful and applicab
ble to todayss data transmission method
ds?
2. Collect thre
ee pictures off old, current, and possiblee future Etherrnet physical m
media and deevices.
Focus your search on switches
s if pos
ssible. Share these picturees with the cla
ass and discu
uss:
How have
h Ethernett physical med
dia and interm
mediary devicces changed?
?
How have
h Ethernett physical med
dia and interm
mediary devicces stayed the
e same?
How do you think th
he Ethernet will
w change in the future? W
What factors ccould influencce these
changes?

R
Required Resources
R
net access to video, The History of Ethe
Intern ernet, located at: http://www
w.netevents.tvv/video/bob-m
metcalfe-
the-hiistory-of-ethernet
Hard-- or soft-copy media for rec
cording answe
ers to questio
ons and for in-class sharing
g.

R
Reflection
1. How was
w Ethernet used when itt was first dev
veloped?

2. How has
h Ethernet stayed the sa ame over the past 25 yearss? What chan
nges are bein
ng made to make it
more useful and ap
pplicable to to
odays data trransmission m
methods?

3. How have
h Etherne
et physical me
edia and intermediary devicces changed?
?

2013 Cisco and

d/or its affiliates. All rights reserve
ed. This docume
ent is Cisco Publiic. Page 1 of 2
MAC and choose

4. How have Ethernet physical media and intermediary devices stayed the same?

5. How do you think the Ethernet will change in the future? What factors could influence these changes?

2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public. Page 2 of 2