Explanation/Reference:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers/xr12000/software/xr12k_r4.2/interfaces/configuration/guide/ hc42ethi.html#wp1012392 IEEE 802.3ae 10 Gbps Ethernet Under the International Standards Organization's Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, Ethernet is fundamentally a Layer 2 protocol. 10-Gigabit Ethernet uses the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet MAC protocol, the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet frame format, and the minimum and maximum IEEE 802.3 frame size. 10 Gbps Ethernet conforms to the IEEE 802.3ae protocol standards.
Just as 1000BASE-X and 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) remained true to the Ethernet model, 10-Gigabit Ethernet continues the natural evolution of Ethernet in speed and distance. Because it is a full-duplex only technology, it does not need the carrier-sensing multiple-access with the CSMA/CD protocol that defines slower, half-duplex Ethernet technologies. In every other respect, 10-Gigabit Ethernet remains true to the original Ethernet model.