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Unlike Ethernet, Token Ring uses a ring topology whereby the data is sent from one
machine to the next and so on around the ring until it ends up back where it started.
It also uses a token passing protocol which means that a machine can only use the
network when it has control of the Token, this ensures that there are no collisions
because only one machine can use the network at any given time.
Token Ring networks are now very rare because the cost and flexibility of Ethernet
came to dominate the market.
is an explanation of what is going on.
Although 16Mbps is the standard ring speed (and Fast Token Ring was being developed) we will consider
a 4Mbps Token Ring in this tutorial to explain the basic concepts.
and replace the data with its own message.
In the example above, machine 1 wants to send some data to machine 4, so it first has to capture the free
Token. It then writes its data and the recipient's address onto the Token (represented by the yellow
flashing screen).
The packet of data is then sent to machine 2 who reads the address, realizes it is not its own, so passes it
on to machine 3. Machine 3 does the same and passes the Token on to machine 4.
This time it is the correct address and so number 4 reads the message (represented by the yellow
flashing screen). It cannot, however, release a free Token on to the ring, it must first send the frame back
to number 1 with an acknowledgement to say that it has received the data (represented by the purple
flashing screen).
The receipt is then sent to machine 5 who checks the address, realizes that it is not its own and so
forwards it on to the next machine in the ring, number 6.
Machine 6 does the same and forwards the data to number 1, who sent the original message.
Machine 1 recognizes the address, reads the acknowledgement from number 4 (represented by the
purple flashing screen) and then releases the free Token back on to the ring ready for the next machine to
use.
That's the basics of Token Ring and it shows how data is sent, received and acknowledged, but Token
Ring also has a built in management and recovery system which makes it very fault tolerant. Below is a
brief outline of Token Ring's self maintenance system.
control the ring, or become the 'Active Monitor' to give it its proper title. This is won by the machine with
the highest MAC address who is participating in the contention procedure, and all other machines
become 'Standby Monitors'.
The job of the Active Monitor is to make sure that none of the machines are causing problems on the
network, and to re-establish the ring after a break or an error has occurred. The Active Monitor performs
Ring Polling every seven seconds and ring purges when there appears to be a problem. The ring polling
allows all machines on the network to find out who is participating in the ring and to learn the address of
their Nearest Active Upstream Neighbour (NAUN). Ring purges reset the ring after an interruption or loss
of data is reported.
Each machine knows the address of its Nearest Active Upstream Neighbour. This is an important function
in a Token Ring as it updates the information required to re-establish itself when machines enter or leave
the ring.
When a machine enters the ring it performs a lobe test to verify that its own connection is working
properly, if it passes, it sends a voltage to the hub which operates a relay to insert it into the ring.
If a problem occurs anywhere on the ring, the machine that is immediately after the fault will cease to
receive signals. If this situation continues for a short period of time it initiates a recovery procedure which
assumes that its NAUN is at fault, the outcome of this procedure either removes its neighbour from the
ring or it removes itself.
a physical ring to a star wired ring. The Token still
circulates around the network and is still controlled
in the same manner, however, using a hub or a
switch greatly improves reliability because the hub
can automatically bypass any ports that are
disconnected or have a cabling fault.
Further advancements have been made in recent
years with regard to Token Ring technology, such as
early Token release and Token Ring switching but as
this site is primarily concerned with cabling issues
we will not go into any more detail here.
machine to the next and so on around the ring until it ends up back where it started.
It also uses a token passing protocol which means that a machine can only use the
network when it has control of the Token, this ensures that there are no collisions
because only one machine can use the network at any given time.
Token Ring networks are now very rare because the cost and flexibility of Ethernet
came to dominate the market.
The Basics
Here is an animated GIF that shows the basic operation of a Token Ring, and below
is an explanation of what is going on.
Although 16Mbps is the standard ring speed (and Fast Token Ring was being developed) we will consider
a 4Mbps Token Ring in this tutorial to explain the basic concepts.
Hit 'Refresh' on your browser to start the animation from the beginning
At the start, a free Token is circulating on the ring, this is a data frame which to all intents and purposes is an empty vessel for transporting data. To use the network, a machine first has to capture the free Token
and replace the data with its own message.
In the example above, machine 1 wants to send some data to machine 4, so it first has to capture the free
Token. It then writes its data and the recipient's address onto the Token (represented by the yellow
flashing screen).
The packet of data is then sent to machine 2 who reads the address, realizes it is not its own, so passes it
on to machine 3. Machine 3 does the same and passes the Token on to machine 4.
This time it is the correct address and so number 4 reads the message (represented by the yellow
flashing screen). It cannot, however, release a free Token on to the ring, it must first send the frame back
to number 1 with an acknowledgement to say that it has received the data (represented by the purple
flashing screen).
The receipt is then sent to machine 5 who checks the address, realizes that it is not its own and so
forwards it on to the next machine in the ring, number 6.
Machine 6 does the same and forwards the data to number 1, who sent the original message.
Machine 1 recognizes the address, reads the acknowledgement from number 4 (represented by the
purple flashing screen) and then releases the free Token back on to the ring ready for the next machine to
use.
That's the basics of Token Ring and it shows how data is sent, received and acknowledged, but Token
Ring also has a built in management and recovery system which makes it very fault tolerant. Below is a
brief outline of Token Ring's self maintenance system.
Token Ring Self Maintenance
When a Token Ring network starts up, the machines all take part in a negotiation to decide who will
control the ring, or become the 'Active Monitor' to give it its proper title. This is won by the machine with
the highest MAC address who is participating in the contention procedure, and all other machines
become 'Standby Monitors'.
The job of the Active Monitor is to make sure that none of the machines are causing problems on the
network, and to re-establish the ring after a break or an error has occurred. The Active Monitor performs
Ring Polling every seven seconds and ring purges when there appears to be a problem. The ring polling
allows all machines on the network to find out who is participating in the ring and to learn the address of
their Nearest Active Upstream Neighbour (NAUN). Ring purges reset the ring after an interruption or loss
of data is reported.
Each machine knows the address of its Nearest Active Upstream Neighbour. This is an important function
in a Token Ring as it updates the information required to re-establish itself when machines enter or leave
the ring.
When a machine enters the ring it performs a lobe test to verify that its own connection is working
properly, if it passes, it sends a voltage to the hub which operates a relay to insert it into the ring.
If a problem occurs anywhere on the ring, the machine that is immediately after the fault will cease to
receive signals. If this situation continues for a short period of time it initiates a recovery procedure which
assumes that its NAUN is at fault, the outcome of this procedure either removes its neighbour from the
ring or it removes itself.
Token Ring Operation using a Hub
A Token Ring hub simply changes the topology from
a physical ring to a star wired ring. The Token still
circulates around the network and is still controlled
in the same manner, however, using a hub or a
switch greatly improves reliability because the hub
can automatically bypass any ports that are
disconnected or have a cabling fault.
Further advancements have been made in recent
years with regard to Token Ring technology, such as
early Token release and Token Ring switching but as
this site is primarily concerned with cabling issues
we will not go into any more detail here.
Token Ring
