Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Network Architecture Overview
The architecture on which you choose to base your network is the single most important
decision you make when setting up a LAN. The architecture defines the speed of the net-
work, the medium access control mechanism it uses (for example, collision detection,
token passing, and so on), the types of cables you can use, the network interface adapters
you must buy, and the adapter drivers you install.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has defined and documented
a set of standards for the physical characteristics of both collision-detection and token-
passing networks. These standards are known as IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) and IEEE 802.5
(Token-Ring), respectively. IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) defines wireless versions of Ethernet.
