Ethernet Transceiver

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What Does Ethernet Transceiver Mean?

An Ethernet transceiver is a hardware device designed to connect computers or electronic devices within a network, allowing them to transmit and receive messages. A transceiver consists of a transmitter and a receiver, hence the name.

An Ethernet transceiver is also known as a media access unit (MAU).

Techopedia Explains Ethernet Transceiver

An Ethernet transceiver is hardware used in Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 specifications. It is responsible for linking computer networks. It is a component of the physical layer in the network ISO model. Functions of an Ethernet transceiver include:

  • Collision detection
  • Digital data conversion
  • Processing on Ethernet interface
  • Providing access to the network

Several workstations can be connected on a single connection of an Ethernet bus via a multi-port transceiver or MAU. Ethernet transceivers can be configured as a joined station, a discrete device or an Internet hub available for multiple connections.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.