What do link lights on Ethernet ports indicate?

Link lights on Ethernet ports serve as indicators of the connection status between devices. When these lights are illuminated, they typically indicate that a physical connection has been established and that the devices are able to communicate with each other over the network.

For instance, a solid green light may indicate that the connection is good and functioning properly, while an amber or blinking light might signify that there is activity on the line, but that it could also be experiencing issues. The presence and behavior of the link lights make them an essential tool for network diagnostics, allowing administrators to quickly assess whether the port is operational or if troubleshooting is needed.

While link lights can sometimes give clues about speed or data activity, their primary purpose is to indicate connection status rather than the specifics of the data being transferred or the exact amount of data transmitted. Thus, understanding that link lights are meant to communicate the status of the connection is key to utilizing them effectively in network management.