Ethernet provides access to the networking using Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD). This strategy of network access basically means that the devices on the network listen to the network and wait until the line is clear; they "sense" when the line is clear and they can transmit data. The computer then sends its packets out onto the line. If there is more than one computer transmitting, collisions result. Sensing the collisions, the computers stop transmitting and wait until the line is free. One of the computers will then transmit, gaining control of the line and completing the transmission of the data.

   To receive data, computers just sit and wait, listening to the line. When they sense that a particular transmission is meant for them, they receive it on their network card.

   The main advantage of Ethernet is that it is one of the cheapest network architectures to implement. Network interface cards, cabling, and hubs are fairly inexpensive when compared to the hardware required for other architectures such as token ring. A major disadvantage of Ethernet relates to collisions on the network. The more collisions, the slower the network will run, and excessive collisions can even bring down the network.