Chapter . LAN Switching

Fast Computers Need Faster Networks

The PC emerged as the most common desktop computer in the 1980s. LANs emerged as a way to network PCs in a common location. Networking technologies such as Token Ring and Ethernet allowed users to share resources such as printers and exchange files with each other. As originally defined, Ethernet and Token Ring provided network access to multiple devices on the same network segment or ring. These LAN technologies have inherent limitations as to how many devices can connect to a single segment, as well as the physical distance between computers. Desktop computers got faster, the number of computers grew, operating systems began multitasking (allowing multiple tasks to operate at the same ...

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