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CSMA/CD Medium Access Control (MAC)
This defines how computers using Ethernet can share a common
medium: Carrier Sense, Multiple Access, with Collision
Detection.
- Multiple Access
- all computers have equal access: there are no masters or
slaves, etc. If the shared channel is clear, a computer may begin
to transmit immediately.
- Carrier Sense
- if the channel is busy, continue to listen, and attempt to
transmit as soon as it becomes available.
- Collision Detection
- if a collision is detected (ie, another
computer started to transmit at the same time), immediately cease
transmission. Wait a random period of time, then start all
over.
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