TCP/IP vs ethernet

[carey_w]

ok... could someone please clearly explain to me the difference between TCP/IP and ethernet... this probably sounds like a dumb question and i think im asking it the wrong way... ie from what i can gather tcp/ip is part of ethernet... but i still dont really get it.
from what my IT text book (yes this is for school, but no im not complete n00b) tells me TCP/IP was developed as a protocol for transmiting data over the internet... but then it says it also used within most networks today.... if so... where is there room for ethernet? if nodes within a LAN use TCP/IP to communicate where does csma/cd ethernet fit it?
im sure there is a simple explaination to my question lol... please help if you can

cheers guys

carey

[saladfork]

tcp/IP is a collision based protocol, ethernet is a venue for carrying the packets across.

TCP/IP isnt anything physical, just a protocol, ethernet is tangible and is one way for packets to travel through..

[veedubfreak]

Ethernet = the cat5 cable brining the internets to you. TCP/IP is the protocol that allows your computer to talk through that cable.

[carey_w]

alright... i tihnk i kind of get it lol
cheers

[CalcProgrammer1]

Yeah, Ethernet is the hardware (the category 5e cable, the RJ45 ports, the LAN cards, routers, switches, wiring, all that stuff). TCP/IP is the generic Internet Protocol, it's become pretty much a standard. It is the software method of encoding data to send over the Internet, over Ethernet local networks, and now over WiFi as well.

Ethernet doesn't HAVE to use TCP/IP, you can use other protocols on an Ethernet network, but almost everything these days uses TCP/IP as it allows your Ethernet local network to work seamlessly with the Internet.