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ARCNET

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The ARCNET (Attached Resource Computing Network) is a baseband, token-passing network system that offers flexible star and bus topologies at a low price. Transmission speeds are 2.5 Mbits/sec. ARCNET uses a token-passing protocol on a token bus network topology. While ARCNET never became popular in the LAN environment, it is used extensively for embedded and real-time applications. Companies are using ARCNET for a number of tasks, including data acquisition, nuclear plant monitoring and control, closed-circuit cameras, building automation, process control, in-flight entertainment systems, phone switching systems, point-of-sale systems, stock exchange terminals, and machine control. The ARCNET Trade Association Web site provides a list of companies and their uses of ARCNET.

A typical ARCNET configuration is shown in Figure A-9. Although ARCNET is generally considered to have a slow throughput, it does support cable lengths of up to 600 meters when using active hubs. It is suitable for office environments that use text-based applications and where users don't often access the file server.

[ANCHOR HERE: Figure 9]

ARCNET connections are made to active and passive hubs. An active hub is a network relay that conditions and amplifies the signal strength. Most active hubs have eight ports to which workstations, passive hubs, or additional active hubs can be attached. A passive hub is a four-port connector with BNC jacks.

ARCNET uses 93-ohm RG-62 A/U coaxial cable, although twisted-pair and fiber-optic cable can also be used. Fiber-optic cable is used for backbones between active hubs and for outside runs.

Two Internet RFCs relate to ARCNET. These are RFC 1201 (Transmitting IP traffic over ARCNET networks, February 1991) and RFC 2497 (Transmission of IPv6 Packets over ARCNET Networks, January 1999)




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