cisco router serial interface vs fast ethernet interface

[kingofgamblers]

Just wondering if anyone could clarify the difference between using a serial interface vs. a fast ethernet interface for connecting routers.

I'm looking at some ccnp labs and they have connections using both serial interfaces and fast ethernet interfaces on a router.

I searched google, but didn't find any basic explanations...

[Kwirky]

Maybe you should check out some CCNA material before trying to figure out a CCNP lab ;)

[kingofgamblers]

Maybe you should check out some CCNA material before trying to figure out a CCNP lab ;)

Maybe I should...but I don't have any on hand.

It sounds like you know some stuff about this. It would be appreciated if you could answer it for me.

[l69norm]

[QUOTE=kingofgamblers;6442870]Just wondering if anyone could clarify the difference between using a serial interface vs. a fast ethernet interface for connecting routers...QUOTE]

The serial ports are mostly used for old sytle WAN connections from service providers (ISP, frame relay, T1, T3, etc). The port is either V.35 or RS232

Ethernet ports are used LAN connections on the internal network or newer style service provider (LANX, ISP, etc). The port is standard RJ45 CAT5 twisted pair

[kingofgamblers]

[QUOTE=kingofgamblers;6442870]Just wondering if anyone could clarify the difference between using a serial interface vs. a fast ethernet interface for connecting routers...QUOTE]

The serial ports are mostly used for old sytle WAN connections from service providers (ISP, frame relay, T1, T3, etc). The port is either V.35 or RS232

Ethernet ports are used LAN connections on the internal network or newer style service provider (LANX, ISP, etc). The port is standard RJ45 CAT5 twisted pair


Oh I see...so they're essentially used for the same purposes. Only difference is that they are sometimes required to be used to connect different WAN technologies that do not support the newer FA interfaces. Hope I got that right.

That makes sense, thanks