# Ethernet overview Ethernet technology is designed to transmit data over a channel using wired technology at different link speeds. It uses cables to transmit data in network models, such as local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) for a reliable, secure, and better network connectivity. Ethernet connectivity is integrated into IoT devices and sensors, allowing them to transmit data to the network. It’s defined under IEEE 802.3 standards and provides a standardized interface for these devices to communicate with gateways. Qualcomm^®^ Linux^®^ provides Ethernet features, architecture, and tools that can help you develop Ethernet applications on the following reference kits: - Qualcomm Dragonwing^TM^ RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit - Qualcomm Dragonwing^TM^ IQ-9075 Evaluation Kit (EVK) - Qualcomm Dragonwing^TM^ IQ-9075 EVK with Mezzanine card - Qualcomm Dragonwing^TM^ IQ-8275 EVK - Qualcomm Dragonwing^TM^ IQ-8275 EVK with Mezzanine card - Qualcomm Dragonwing^TM^ IQ-615 EVK Additionally, Qualcomm Linux offers capabilities to bring up the Ethernet functionality, configure its features, and enable logging to debug issues. Note See [Hardware SoCs](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-115/topic/soc.html) that are supported on Qualcomm Linux. ## Ethernet interfaces The following table lists the reference kits and their supported Ethernet interfaces. | Reference kit | SoC | Ethernet interfaces | | --- | --- | --- | | [Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-251/topic/rb3_hardware_overview.html#ethernet) | QCS6490 | | | [Dragonwing IQ-9075 EVK](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-hw-overview.html#evk-ports-and-interfaces) | IQ-9075 | 1 x RJ45 connector | | Dragonwing IQ-9075 EVK with Mezzanine card | IQ-9075 | | | [Dragonwing IQ-8275 EVK](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-281/topic/iq8-ug-hw-overview.html#evk-ports-and-interfaces) | IQ-8275 | 1 x RJ45 connector | | Dragonwing IQ-8275 EVK with Mezzanine card | IQ-8275 | | | Dragonwing IQ-615 EVK | IQ-615 | 1 x RJ45 connector | ## Ethernet features Tab QCS6490 Tab IQ-9075 Tab IQ-9075 with Mezzanine Tab IQ-8275 Tab IQ-8275 with Mezzanine Tab IQ-615 - *class* tabincludedirective - ### Energy efficient Ethernet (QPS615) Energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) is an optional operational mode that helps in reducing the consumption of power while transmitting and receiving data. When there is no data to transmit or receive, this feature allows the MAC sublayer and a family of physical layers (PHY) to operate in the low-power idle (LPI) mode. During link negotiation, the link partners learn about the capabilities and features, such as EEE, supported by the remote entity. Based on the supported capabilities, features, and data transfer state, the MAC determines whether the system should enter or exit the LPI mode and communicates this information to the PHY. The EEE feature specifies the capabilities and negotiation methods that the link partners can use to: - Determine whether EEE is supported. - Select the set of parameters that are common to both the devices. Note EEE feature is supported only on QEP8121 PHY. For configuration details, see [Configure EEE on QCS6490](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/config-ethernet-features.html#configure-eee-qcs6490). - *class* tabincludedirective - ### Generalized Precision Time Protocol The generalized Precision Time Protocol (gPTP) specifies a simplified and interoperable time synchronization architecture designed to operate across heterogeneous network media, including Ethernet, Wi Fi, EPON, and coordinated shared networks. IEEE 802.1AS 2020 defines a precise timing and synchronization protocol for Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) across IEEE 802 LAN/MAN technologies. gPTP is a profile of the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), optimized for deterministic audio video (AV), industrial, and control oriented applications that require low latency and tightly synchronized network operation. For configuration details, see [Configure gPTP](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/config-ethernet-features.html#configure-gptp). - *class* tabincludedirective - ### Energy efficient Ethernet (QPS615) Energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) is an optional operational mode that helps in reducing the consumption of power while transmitting and receiving data. When there is no data to transmit or receive, this feature allows the MAC sublayer and a family of physical layers (PHY) to operate in the low-power idle (LPI) mode. During link negotiation, the link partners learn about the capabilities and features, such as EEE, supported by the remote entity. Based on the supported capabilities, features, and data transfer state, the MAC determines whether the system should enter or exit the LPI mode and communicates this information to the PHY. The EEE feature specifies the capabilities and negotiation methods that the link partners can use to: - Determine whether EEE is supported. - Select the set of parameters that are common to both the devices. Note EEE feature is supported only on QEP8121 PHY. For configuration details, see [Configure EEE on IQ-9075 EVK with Mezzanine](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/config-ethernet-features.html#configure-eee-iq9-mezz). ### Device tree source overlay (QPS615) A Device tree source (DTS) overlay is a modular extension to a Linux device tree that allows hardware descriptions to be added, modified, or enabled on top of an existing base device tree. DTS overlays are typically applied at boot time and allow hardware configuration changes without modifying or recompiling the original device tree. This mechanism is commonly used to enable optional peripherals or board-specific features. Note EFI based overlay is required to enable Ethernet interfaces, which in turn enable XO shutdown and S2R functionality. For more information, see [Enable QPS615 Ethernet ports using DTS overlay](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/bring_up-ethernet.html#enable-dts-overlay-iq9-mezz). - *class* tabincludedirective - Basic Ethernet features such as interface enumeration and data path are supported on IQ-8275 EVK. - *class* tabincludedirective - ### Energy efficient Ethernet (QPS615) Energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) is an optional operational mode that helps in reducing the consumption of power while transmitting and receiving data. When there is no data to transmit or receive, this feature allows the MAC sublayer and a family of physical layers (PHY) to operate in the low-power idle (LPI) mode. During link negotiation, the link partners learn about the capabilities and features, such as EEE, supported by the remote entity. Based on the supported capabilities, features, and data transfer state, the MAC determines whether the system should enter or exit the LPI mode and communicates this information to the PHY. The EEE feature specifies the capabilities and negotiation methods that the link partners can use to: - Determine whether EEE is supported. - Select the set of parameters that are common to both the devices. Note EEE feature is supported only on QEP8121 PHY. For configuration details, see [Configure EEE on IQ-8275 EVK with Mezzanine](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/config-ethernet-features.html#configure-eee-iq8-mezz). ### Device tree source overlay (QPS615) A Device tree source (DTS) overlay is a modular extension to a Linux device tree that allows hardware descriptions to be added, modified, or enabled on top of an existing base device tree. DTS overlays are typically applied at boot time and allow hardware configuration changes without modifying or recompiling the original device tree. This mechanism is commonly used to enable optional peripherals or board-specific features. Note EFI based overlay is required to enable Ethernet interfaces, which in turn enable XO shutdown and S2R functionality. For more information, see [Enable QPS615 Ethernet ports using DTS overlay](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/bring_up-ethernet.html#enable-dts-overlay-iq8-mezz). - *class* tabincludedirective - Basic Ethernet features such as interface enumeration and data path are supported on IQ-615 EVK. ## Next steps > > > - [Get started with Ethernet](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/get-started-with-ethernet.html#get-started-with-ethernet) > - [Learn about Ethernet architecture](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/ethernet-arch.html#ethernet-arch) > - [Bring up Ethernet](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/bring_up-ethernet.html#bringup-ethernet) > - [Perform Ethernet operations](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/perform-ethernet-operations.html#perform-ethernet-operations) > - [Configure Ethernet features](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/config-ethernet-features.html#config-ethernet-features) > - [Troubleshoot Ethernet issues](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-26/topic/troubleshoot-ethernet-issues.html#troubleshoot-ethernet-issues) Last Published: May 24, 2026 [Previous Topic Ethernet documentation](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-80022-26/topics/ethernet-documentation.md) [Next Topic Get started with Ethernet](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-80022-26/topics/get-started-with-ethernet.md)