# 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-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/80-80021-115/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/80-80021-251/topic/rb3_hardware_overview.html#ethernet) | QCS6490 | <ul class="simple"><br><li><p>1 x RJ45 connector</p></li><br><li><p>1 x IX connector</p></li><br><li><p>1 x IX connector (optional)</p></li><br></ul> |
| [Dragonwing IQ-9075 EVK](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-261/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 | 1 x RJ45 connector |
| Dragonwing IQ-8275 EVK | IQ-8275 | 1 x RJ45 connector |
| 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-615

- *class* tabincludedirective

    - ### Energy efficient Ethernet

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](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-26/topic/configure-ethernet-features.html#configure-eee).

- *class* tabincludedirective

    - Basic Ethernet features such as interface enumeration and data path are supported on IQ-9075 EVK.

- *class* tabincludedirective

    - Basic Ethernet features such as interface enumeration and data path are supported on IQ-9075 EVK with Mezzanine card.

- *class* tabincludedirective

    - Basic Ethernet features such as interface enumeration and data path are supported on IQ-8275 EVK.

- *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/80-80021-26/topic/get-started-with-ethernet.html#get-started-with-ethernet)
> - [Learn about Ethernet architecture](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-26/topic/ethernet-architecture.html#ethernet-arch)
> - [Bring up Ethernet](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-26/topic/bring_up-ethernet.html#bring-up-ethernet)
> - [Perform Ethernet operations](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-26/topic/perform-ethernet-operations.html#perform-ethernet-operations)
> - [Configure Ethernet features](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-26/topic/configure-ethernet-features.html#config-ethernet-features)
> - [Troubleshoot Ethernet issues](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80021-26/topic/troubleshoot-ethernet-issues.html#troubleshoot-ethernet-issues)

Last Published: Mar 18, 2026

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