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Networking Technologies

Updated Jan 25, 2018 ·

Token Ring​

A LAN technology where devices share access to the network by passing a token.

  • Nodes pass a token to control which device can send data
  • Reduces collisions compared to early Ethernet
  • Mostly replaced by Ethernet but still used in some legacy environments

SONET (Synchronous Optical Network)​

A high-speed fiber-optic network standard widely used in long-distance telecommunication.

  • Supports long-distance data transport with precise timing
  • Provides synchronous, reliable, and high-capacity channels
  • Often used by carriers for backbone networks and multiplexing multiple signals

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)​

A WAN technology designed for high-speed transmission of voice, video, and data.

  • Uses fixed 53-byte cells for low latency and predictable performance
  • Supports multiple traffic types simultaneously (voice, video, data)
  • Connection-oriented, suitable for QoS-sensitive applications

Frame Relay​

A packet-switched WAN technology for connecting multiple sites efficiently.

  • Uses variable-length frames to carry data over shared networks
  • Efficient for bursty traffic with minimal overhead
  • Error checking is minimal, relying on endpoints for reliability
  • Often used for connecting branch offices over leased lines

X.25​

An older packet-switched WAN protocol with strong error correction.

  • Provides reliable delivery over potentially noisy links
  • Slower compared to modern WAN technologies like Frame Relay or MPLS
  • Uses extensive error control, flow control, and acknowledgments
  • Mostly phased out but influenced later WAN protocols

FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)​

A high-speed LAN technology using fiber-optic cabling in a ring topology.

  • Uses token passing to control access and reduce collisions
  • Supports speeds up to 100 Mbps with dual-ring redundancy
  • Used in campus networks and backbone connections before Gigabit Ethernet