Joel is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of security, networking and messaging. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @joelsnyder. Building enterprise networks with routers and switches ...

What is a network protocol? Most textbook writers state something like this: A network protocol is a set of guidelines or standards for the operation of network devices, the methods of operation, and ...

Like many words in the English language, “network” and “protocol” have different meanings, depending on the context. In the context of digital communications, Merriam-Webster defines network as “a ...

Ethernet has dominated wired computer-networking technology for decades, evidenced by its wide adoption in office, business, data-center, and home applications. Only more recently, though, has ...

With always-on high-bandwidth Internet connections comes the possibility for multiple devices within the home to share this resource. And, of course, they'll also be doing a lot of internal ...

The technology started with 10-Mb/s coax cabling (10BASE5). Twisted-pair and RJ45 connectors quickly replaced that, while fiber optics was implemented for high-speed, long-distance communication.

The IIoT is at the basis of the so-called Smart Factories, new advanced manufacturing units of the fourth industrial revolution. Smart sensors, super-fast connections, artificial intelligence ...

Terms can sometimes play tricks on the mind. Take EtherNet/IP, for example. Many people will read “IP” as internet protocol and think that EtherNet/IP refers to plain old, standard industrial Ethernet ...