TABLE OF CONTENTS Michael A. Pozzi
Hewlett-Packard Co., Colorado Springs, Colorado
This chapter provides a brief description of each of several common LAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network) technologies, comparing and contrasting inherent performance characteristics, and presenting the advantages and disadvantages of each from a performance point of view. The following network technologies are covered in this section:
LAN technologies, including
Ethernet/IEEE 802.3
Fast Ethernet/100Base-T
Token-Ring/IEEE 802.5
FDDI
Switched networks
WAN internetworking technologies, including
Private leased lines
Packet-switched public networks (X.25 and frame relay)
Each of the three most common LAN technologies has its own advantages, and all are widely deployed on a worldwide basis. Table 14.1 presents a brief summary of Ethernet, Token-Ring, and FDDI.
| Speed | Cost | Advantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 10Mbps | low | inexpensive reliable ubiquitous |
| Token Ring | 4 or 16Mbps | medium | deterministic access good throughput |
| FDDI | 100Mbps | high | high speed fault tolerant |
Ethernet is the most widely used local area networking topology in the world. Its popularity is due to the fact that Ethernet delivers fast, reliable connectivity that is inexpensive and easy to install and maintain. Ethernet commonly is used to connect individual desktops to the site LAN.
The original Ethernet specification was...
