Ethernet (Xerox local area network)
Local area network
- up to 1024 stations
- up to 2.8 km distance
- 100Mbits/sec serially on shielded co-axial cable
- 10+Mbits/sec on twisted pair of copper pair
Developed by Xerox in late 70s
- still most common LAN right now
- being displaced by ATM (can't handle video/audio rates or make required service guarantees)
- Slower than point-to-point networks
High-level protocols to ensure reliable data transmission
CSMA-CD: carrier sense multiple access with collision detection