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What is Token Ring?
Token Ring is a network technology that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. It is a type of local area network (LAN) architecture that allows devices to communicate with each other in a loop or ring topology. In this network, data is passed from one device to the next in a sequential manner, using a special control signal called a token.
How Token Ring Works
In a Token Ring network, all devices are connected in a closed loop, which means each device is connected to exactly two neighboring devices. The data travels in one direction around the ring, and each device receives and transmits data to its adjacent devices.
The token is a special frame that contains control information. It circulates around the network, and each device has the right to transmit data when it receives the token. When a device wants to transmit data, it seizes the token and appends its data to it. The token then continues its journey around the loop until it reaches the destination device.
Once the data reaches the destination device, it is copied and removed from the token, and the token is released back into the network, ready for the next device to seize it. This token passing mechanism ensures that each device has a fair chance to transmit data, preventing collisions and ensuring efficient network communication.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Token Ring
Token Ring has several advantages over other network technologies:
1. Reliability: Token Ring networks have built-in fault tolerance. If a device fails, the network can automatically reroute traffic through alternative paths, ensuring continuous network connectivity.
2. Fairness: The token passing mechanism ensures fair access to the network. It prevents data collisions and ensures that each device gets its turn to transmit data.
3. Performance: Token Ring networks can handle high data rates, making them suitable for applications that require fast and reliable communication.
However, Token Ring also has some limitations:
1. Complexity: Token Ring networks require meticulous configuration and maintenance. Setting up and troubleshooting Token Ring networks can be more challenging compared to other network technologies.
2. Limited Scalability: Token Ring networks have a limit on the number of devices that can be connected. As more devices are added, the network may experience reduced performance.
3. Cost: Token Ring hardware can be more expensive compared to other network technologies, making it less common and less cost-effective for small-scale implementations.
In conclusion, Token Ring is a network technology that uses a token passing mechanism to allow devices to transmit data in a loop. While it has its advantages in terms of reliability and fairness, it also has limitations in terms of complexity, scalability, and cost.
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