Transmission Level Protocols
Token ring
- A token ring network is a LAN where all computers are connected to a ring or star topology
- A token-passing scheme is used to prevent the collision of data between 2 devices sending messages at the same time.
- It is not commonly used anymore since the development of Ethernet.
- It is set up in a ring/star shape
- Devices are connected to a central hub.
- Information passes through a ‘token’ and typically used twisted-pair cabling.
- They have transfer speeds of 4-16 Mbps and devices are typically 2.5 metres apart.
Ethernet
- A protocol that controls the way that data is transmitted over a LAN (Local Area Network).
- It is a wired technology and uses similar wires to those plugged into a telephone.
- Most Ethernet cards go up to around 100 Mbps
- Faster Ethernet reaches up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) in speed, working to a length of up to 300 feet.
- The faster speed Ethernet uses twisted pair and fibre optic media
- Whereas the slower speeds are typically created with twisted pair cables or (rarely) with coaxial wires.
- The cables are typically used to connect a device to the internet such as laptops or gaming devices like the Xbox 360
- It is an alternative to having a wireless connection because they are more likely to be interfered by external sources unlike wired Ethernet.