ARCNET

ARCNET

ARCNET Logo

ARCNET (Attached Resource Computer NETwork) is a local area network (LAN) protocol that was developed in the late 1970s by Datapoint Corporation. It was one of the first widely used LAN technologies and played a significant role in the early development of computer networking.

History

ARCNET was introduced in 1977 as a proprietary networking solution for Datapoint's line of minicomputers. It quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity and reliability. In 1979, Datapoint released the specifications for ARCNET, allowing other companies to develop compatible products.

Technical Details

ARCNET operates at the physical and data link layers of the OSI model. It uses a token-passing mechanism for media access control, where a token is passed from one node to another to control access to the network. This ensures fair and efficient utilization of the network resources.

ARCNET supports data transfer rates of up to 2.5 Mbps (megabits per second) over coaxial cables. It can support up to 255 nodes in a single network segment, making it suitable for small to medium-sized LANs.

Advantages

One of the key advantages of ARCNET is its simplicity. The protocol is easy to understand and implement, making it a cost-effective solution for LAN deployments. Additionally, ARCNET's token-passing mechanism ensures fair access to the network, preventing data collisions and improving overall network performance.

Disadvantages

Despite its early success, ARCNET faced several limitations that contributed to its decline in popularity. One major drawback was its limited scalability. As the number of nodes in a network increased, the performance of ARCNET degraded significantly. Additionally, the maximum data transfer rate of 2.5 Mbps became insufficient as network demands grew.

Legacy and Impact

ARCNET played a significant role in the early development of LAN technologies. It paved the way for future advancements in networking and influenced the design of subsequent LAN protocols. Although ARCNET is no longer widely used today, its legacy can still be seen in the principles and concepts that underpin modern LAN technologies.

See Also

• Local Area Network
• Token Passing
• OSI Model