3 ms·
> In other words, it's the equivalent to the Ethernet in your network, over which you run a protocol like TCP/IP, or IPX/SPX Not a good comparison as those are
by MisterTea 9y ago
> In other words, it's the equivalent to the Ethernet in your network, over which you run a protocol like TCP/IP, or IPX/SPX
Not a good comparison as those are layer 3 protocols. A better comparison would be two layer 2 links such as USB and ethernet sharing the same plug along with devices offering varying levels of support for one, the other, or both.
- kbenson 9y agoI considered that, and while it's ultimately more accurate in specifics, I think it's much more confusing in general considering I'm not aware of much much competition in the data link layer (or at least I'm unfamiliar enough with it to make me unsure of any argument I might make). I don't think there's much difference in the important points by going up the OSI stack slightly, it's still a physical connection and a protocol over it (even if there may be additional protocols between those).