Token Ring

TOKEN RING

In the Token Ring system, a small message (the token) is passed continually around the ring. Only the computer with the token at a particular time may transmit a message so that collision will never occur. However, performance may be reduced because; with a large ring a system may have to wait a significant time before the token comes around again.

If the rings breaks, the whole network ceases to function, example is the IBM Token Ring.

This is an overview of how the Token Ring operates

	Token is continuously circulated through the Ring by being passed from node to node.
	If a node is wishing to transmit, it holds the Token and transmit data frame onto the ring.
	The receiver transmits acknowledgment back to indicate that the data frame is received.
	The original node will then release the Token back to the ring.

Token ring mechanism

A Token Ring system requires significant maintenance which includes:

	Ring initialisation
	Adding to the ring
	Deleting from the ring
	Fault management.