Final answer:
Ethernet is a LAN technology known for its simplicity and speed, using variable packet sizes. ATM is designed for WAN and LAN, utilizing fixed-size cells to ensure consistent data rates and supports Quality of Service for real-time applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between Ethernet and ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) lies in their design philosophies and intended applications. Ethernet is a network technology that enables devices to communicate over a local area network (LAN). It is widely used for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to support high data rates, making it suitable for general networking in businesses and homes.
On the other hand, ATM is a telecommunications standard designed for the high-speed transfer of voice, video, and data across wide area networks (WANs) and LANs. It uses a fixed-size cell of 53 bytes which allows for constant data rates and is particularly suited for network environments that require Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees, such as multimedia applications.
While Ethernet is based on a packet-switched model that may have variable packet sizes, ATM operates on a cell-switched model using fixed-size cells, facilitating predictable network behavior. In summary, Ethernet is typically used for its flexibility and ease of deployment in LAN environments, whereas ATM is chosen for its capacity to handle real-time voice and video with dependable QoS in both LAN and WAN applications.