Network Architectures
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LAN Architectures refers to the overall design of a LAN. |
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Two major components of LAN Architecture are the media access control and LAN topology. |
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Media access methods dictate how a station gains access to the physical medium. |
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The two primary methods for LAN’s are CSMA/CD and Token passing. CSMA/CD is found on Ethernet LAN while Token Passing LANs rely on token passing. |
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Three common types of LAN architecture are Ethernet, Token passing and ArcNet. Ethernet networks, closely aligned with IEEE standard 802.3 are commonly distinguished by their cable; Thinnet, Thicknet, and Twisted-pair cable. |
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A token ring network is an implementation of IEEE 802.5, the standard for the token ring networks. |
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ArcNet was designed as a token passing bus architecture mapping loosely to the IEEE 802.4 standard. |
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This specifies the standards for token passing bus networks using broadband cable. ArcNet, however, is a baseband network and can have a star or bus topology. |