Token Ring Network
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Token Ring Network Definition
A Token Ring network, or Token Passing Ring network, is a legacy type of local area network (LAN) where devices are organized in a logical ring or virtual circle. Data moves from one device to the next in a single direction until it reaches its destination. Instead of multiple devices sending data at the same time, each device must wait for a special permission called a token before it can transmit.
IBM developed Token Ring networks in the 1980s. They were widely used in business, manufacturing, educational, and government systems where organized data sharing and communication were necessary. While it has largely been replaced by faster Ethernet networks, some older systems still rely on Token Ring today.
How a Token Ring Network Works
In a Token Ring network, a small control frame (token) continuously circulates around the ring. A computer that wants to send data must first capture that free token. Once it has it, it attaches its data to a frame and sends it onto the network.
The data frame passes from device to device around the ring until it reaches the intended recipient. The recipient makes a copy of the data and forwards the frame onward. When the frame eventually returns to the sender, the sender removes it and releases a new free token for the next device to use.
Although it uses a ring logic, many Token Ring networks are physically wired in a star layout, where each device connects to a central Multistation Access Unit (MAU). The MAU forwards the frames in a fixed sequence, which creates a logical ring and keeps communication moving in one direction.
Benefits of a Token Ring Network
- Prevents collisions: Only one computer can send information at a time.
- Ensures fair access: Every device gets an equal chance to send data.
- Maintains stable performance: Network speed remains consistent under heavy use.
- Supports error control: Faulty frames can be detected and removed automatically.
- Delivers predictable traffic flow: Data moves in an orderly, timed sequence.
Limitations of a Token Ring Network
- Limits network speed: Maximum speeds of 4 or 16 Mbps are far slower than modern Ethernet.
- Requires specialized hardware: Equipment (like MAUs and Token Ring adapters) is costly and rare.
- Disrupts easily: A failed token or MAU can stop the entire network.
- Lacks modern compatibility: Works poorly with newer networking technologies.
- Has shrinking vendor support: Replacement parts and expertise are increasingly difficult to find.
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FAQ
The main difference is that Ethernet is faster, cheaper, and far more widely supported today. It allows devices to transmit data freely on switched networks and supports speeds from 100 Mbps to multiple gigabits per second. A Token Ring network used a circulating token to control which device could send data and supported speeds of up to 16 Mbps.
Yes. A Token Ring network can connect to other types of networks through a bridge or router. These devices translate data between different networking standards. However, this kind of setup isn’t common today because most networks have fully transitioned to Ethernet.
Token Ring networks are largely outdated, but may still exist in older industrial systems, research labs, or government facilities that depend on legacy equipment. These setups often stay in place because replacing them is expensive or disruptive.
Yes. Token Ring includes built-in error-handling systems that detect corrupted frames and remove them from the network. This helps keep communication stable and prevents damaged data from circulating.
A Token Ring is a network protocol that controls how data is sent, while ring topology describes the physical or logical layout of the network. In a ring topology, each computer connects to the next in a loop. In a Token Ring, devices use a special token to decide who can send data, which helps prevent collisions.
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