Ethernet MAC / PHY Basics · protocols

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What you'll learn

Ethernet splits packet processing (MAC), encoding (PCS), and signaling (PHY) — debug the right layer.

MAC: framing, CRC, flow control (pause frames), address filtering.
PCS: mode-specific encoding, synchronisation and lane alignment; 10GBASE-R uses 64b/66b.
PHY: SerDes, equalization, auto-negotiation.

Connection

Compare the idea of layers with PCIe, while retaining Ethernet-specific MAC, PCS and physical-medium roles.

Key diagram

PCS is a physical sublayer

PCS is a physical sublayer. Role-level Ethernet view. The medium and selected PHY mode determine coding, interfaces and other physical sublayers; PCS is not outside every PHY.

Role-level Ethernet view. The medium and selected PHY mode determine coding, interfaces and other physical sublayers; PCS is not outside every PHY.

Check yourself Where does the selected mode's block-coding evidence belong?

At the PCS boundary within the PHY architecture, not at the application payload boundary.

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