MAC OPERATIONS

This section highlights two MAC protocols, Ethernet/802.3, and the 802.5 token ring. The focus is a general description of these protocols in relation to routing. First, the Ethernet/802.3 and token ring protocols do not perform route discovery. That function is left to another protocol. Second, these protocols do not perform the table-based forwarding operations we have discussed earlier. Since these LANs employ a shared bus topology, it is not necessary to consult a routing table to relay a packet.

Ethernet/802.3

Figure 2-3 depicts the Ethernet/802.3 LAN. Stations A, B, C, and D are attached to a shared hub. We assume stations A and B wish to transmit. However, station D is currently using the channel, so stations A and B “listen” ...

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