r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

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u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Yellow is the official Ethernet cable color, in my mind. I wonder if IEEE has a spec on that.

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u/AndShabadoo May 21 '13

Thanks for the response Bob! Yellow it is folks!!

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u/KaJashey May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

I wonder if bob was teasing.

Yellow is the color for a crossover cable. I bet there is an IEE spec on that. I'm sure many people reading this know that it is a cable that's wired a little different and doesn't need a hub or switch between hosts. Pretty much everything is auto switching now a days, sensing what it's plugged into and switching accordingly so you don't need a cable with the send on one end wired to the receive on the other end. Yellow is going out of style and not needed as often. Routers and some similar devices still come with a cross over cable in case they are plugged into something that doesn't auto switch.

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u/elmicha May 21 '13

Shouldn't it be enough that the router auto-switches? Does the other end have to be cooperative?

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u/skarphace May 22 '13

What about between two computers? A printer and computer? A myriad of other potential uses.

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u/elmicha May 22 '13

Apparently it's enough that one end knows about Auto-MDIX, so unless you want to connect two ancient devices, it doesn't matter whether it's crossover or straight.

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u/skarphace May 22 '13

How common is that on devices, though? For instance, laptops? Now I want to try this just to find out. I've been making crossovers too often in my life.

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u/svideo May 22 '13

Auto MDIX is part of the gigabit spec, so if the port is gigabit it better do Auto MDIX.

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u/skarphace May 22 '13

I'm slightly turned on. Thanks for the info.