The Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) further helps to define physical layer specifications (speed and Duplex modes, etc.) for networking protocols like Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
The Ethernet PCS is part of the Ethernet PHY layer. The hierarchy is as follows:
- Data Link Layer (Layer 2)
- LLC (Logical Link Control Sublayer)
- MAC (Media Access Control Sublayer)
- RS (Reconciliation Sublayer) - This sublayer processes PHY Local/Remote Fault messages and handles DDR conversion
- PHY Layer (Layer 1)
- PCS (Physical Coding Sublayer) - This sublayer performs autonegotiation and coding such as 8b/10b encoding
- PMA (Physical Medium Attachment Sublayer) - This sublayer performs PMA framing, octet synchronization/detection, and scrambling/descrambling
- PMD (Physical Medium Dependent Sublayer) - This sublayer consists of a transceiver for the physical medium
Famous quotes containing the word physical:
“Man’s characteristic privilege is that the bond he accepts is not physical but moral; that is, social. He is governed not by a material environment brutally imposed on him, but by a conscience superior to his own, the superiority of which he feels. Because the greater, better part of his existence transcends the body, he escapes the body’s yoke, but is subject to that of society.”
—Emile Durkheim (1858–1917)