Ethernet or Token Ring

Ethernet or Token Ring

In my opinion Saguaro Federal should use the token ring protocol and XYZ Technology Consultants should also use the Ethernet protocol. Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, in which each computer waits and listens before it transmits on the line. If it hears nothing, it will transmit a packet (broadcast). If both computers transmit at the same time a collision occurs and then both computers wait a random amount of time before transmitting again. In token ring, a token is passed around the network that gives the computer rights to transmit. If a computer doesn’t have a token it has to wait until the token is freed which reduces collision and makes effective use of bandwidth. Token ring can allow for larger packet sizes than Ethernet which will help Saguaro Federal in the mainframes connection. XYZ technology can use the Ethernet protocol using Manchester Signal Encoding that uses transition state to encode data. A Gigabit Ethernet would be ideal for XYZ Technology as it provides packet bursting into the CSMA/CD algorithm and fully utilize available bandwidth. The switches in an Ethernet connection can help the multiple floors in the office building by providing each port with a dedicated bandwidth without collision and work consistently. The Ethernet network for XYZ technology will also prove beneficial as there will be less network congestion within the users and switches can help to allocate the appropriate amount of bandwidth on the switches. Existing NIC’s on the Ethernet network will help identify the nodes by their MAC/physical addresses. Ethernet is also compatible by IPX, TCP/IP and AppleTalk.