Media access unit: Difference between revisions
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{{redirect|MSAU|the settlement in the Coast Province|Msau}} |
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{{Distinguish|Medium Attachment Unit}} |
{{Distinguish|Medium Attachment Unit}} |
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[[File:IBM 8226 Multistation Access Unit.JPG|thumb|An IBM 8226 media access unit]] |
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[[File:Ibm 8228 mau.jpg|thumb|An IBM 8228 media access unit]] |
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A '''media access unit''' ('''MAU)''', also known as a '''multistation access unit''' ('''MAU''' or '''MSAU''') is a device to attach multiple network stations in a [[star topology]] as a [[token ring]] network, internally wired to connect the stations into a passive (i.e. non-switched and unmanaged) logical ring. |
A '''media access unit''' ('''MAU)''', also known as a '''multistation access unit''' ('''MAU''' or '''MSAU''') is a device to attach multiple network stations in a [[star topology]] as a [[token ring]] network, internally wired to connect the stations into a passive (i.e. non-switched and unmanaged) logical ring. |
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Passive token ring was an active IBM networking product in the 1997 time-frame, after which it was rapidly displaced by switched networking. |
Passive token ring was an active IBM networking product in the 1997 time-frame, after which it was rapidly displaced by [[network switch|switched networking]]. |
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==Fault tolerance== |
==Fault tolerance== |
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MAU contains relays to short out non-operating stations. Multiple MAUs can be connected into a larger ring through their ring in/ring out connectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/networking/nswww/neteam/int_hubs.pdf|title=LAN Hub Sales Guide|author=IBM|date=1997}}</ref> |
MAU contains relays to short out non-operating stations. Multiple MAUs can be connected into a larger ring through their ring in/ring out connectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com/networking/nswww/neteam/int_hubs.pdf|title=LAN Hub Sales Guide|author=IBM|date=1997}}</ref> |
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==Advantages and limitations== |
==Advantages and limitations== |
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This networking technology supported large geographic areas (with a total ring circumference of several kilometers), but the bandwidth was shared by all stations, and thus this technology was soon displaced by high-bandwidth switched networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970111021530/http://www.raleigh.ibm.com/trl/trl0c01.ps|title=Token-Ring Migration to Switched LAN Interconnect — A Technical White Paper|author=IBM|date=1997}}</ref> |
This networking technology supported large geographic areas (with a total ring circumference of several kilometers), but the bandwidth was shared by all stations, and thus this technology was soon displaced by high-bandwidth switched networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970111021530/http://www.raleigh.ibm.com/trl/trl0c01.ps|title=Token-Ring Migration to Switched LAN Interconnect — A Technical White Paper|author=IBM|date=1997}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 08:22, 22 March 2015
A media access unit (MAU), also known as a multistation access unit (MAU or MSAU) is a device to attach multiple network stations in a star topology as a token ring network, internally wired to connect the stations into a passive (i.e. non-switched and unmanaged) logical ring.
Passive token ring was an active IBM networking product in the 1997 time-frame, after which it was rapidly displaced by switched networking.
Fault tolerance
MAU contains relays to short out non-operating stations. Multiple MAUs can be connected into a larger ring through their ring in/ring out connectors.[1]
MAU is also called a "ring in a box". The loop that used to make up the ring of the token ring is now integrated into the chip. In token ring, when a link is broken in the ring, the entire network goes down; however with an MAU, the broken circuit is immediately closed off (within 1ms) allowing stations on the ring to have their cords unplugged without disabling the entire network.
Advantages and limitations
This networking technology supported large geographic areas (with a total ring circumference of several kilometers), but the bandwidth was shared by all stations, and thus this technology was soon displaced by high-bandwidth switched networks.[2]
See also
References
- ^ IBM (1997). "LAN Hub Sales Guide" (PDF).
- ^ IBM (1997). "Token-Ring Migration to Switched LAN Interconnect — A Technical White Paper".
This article is based on material taken from the Free On-line Dictionary of Computing prior to 1 November 2008 and incorporated under the "relicensing" terms of the GFDL, version 1.3 or later.
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