In most modern switched or hubbed Ethernet over twisted pair systems, neither the MAU nor the AUI interfaces exist (apart, perhaps as notional entities for the purposes of thinking about layering the interface), and the category 5 (CAT5) or better cable connects directly into an Ethernet socket on the host or router. For backwards compatibility with equipment which still had external AUI interfaces only, adapter-type MAUs with 10BASE2or10BASE-T connectors long remained available after the obsolescence of original vampire-tap MAUs, but even adapter-type MAUs have become very rare as of the 2020s.
The original Ethernet's successor standard, Fast Ethernet, introduced division onto media access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers connected with media-independent interface (MII). Some early Fast Ethernet hardware had physical external MII connectors, functionally similar to AUI connector, but generally separate adaptors got obsoleted, see above. However, the tradition of using a separate low-level I/O device in networking has continued in fast optical fiber network interfaces, where the GBIC, XENPAK, XFP, and enhanced small form-factor pluggable (SFP+) pluggable transceiver modules using the XAUI interface play a similar role.
Provide the physical means for communication between local network data link entities.
It defines a physical interface that can be implemented independently among different manufacturers of hardware and achieve the intended level of compatibility when interconnected in a common local network.
Provide a communication channel capable of high bandwidth and low bit error ratio performance.
Provide for ease of installation and service.
Provide for high network availability (ability of a station to gain access to the medium and enable the data link connection in a timely fashion).
It removes equipment from the network whenever it continuously transmits for periods significantly longer than required for a maximum-length packet, indicating a possible problem with the NIC.
Signal quality error test.
The signal quality error test detects silent failures in the circuitry.
Link integrity functions
detects breaks in the wire pairs.
Both Signal quality error test and Link integrity functions assist in fault isolation.
The MAU functions as a direct connection between the baseband medium and the DTE. Data output from the DTE is output to the coaxial trunk medium and all data on the coaxial trunk medium is input to the DTE. This mode is the "normal" mode of operation for the intended message traffic between stations.
Monitor mode or Isolated mode:
The MAU functions as a receive-only connection between the baseband medium and the DTE. Data output from the DTE is suppressed and only data on the coaxial trunk medium is input to the DTE. This mode is for observing message traffic.
The ability to transmit serial data bit streams on the baseband medium from the local DTE entity and to one or more remote DTE entities on the same network.
Receive function
The ability to receive serial data bit streams over the baseband medium.
Collision Presence function
The ability to detect the presence of two or more stations concurrent transmissions.
Monitor function (Optional)
The ability to inhibit the normal transmit data stream to the medium at the same time the normal receive function and collision presence function remain operational.
The ability to automatically interrupt the transmit function and inhibit an abnormally long output data stream. It removes equipment from the network whenever it continuously transmits for periods significantly longer than required for a maximum-length packet, indicating a possible problem with the NIC.