Final answer:
Non-persistent network protocols wait for a random period before attempting to retransmit data after detecting a busy network medium, reducing chances of collision but potentially increasing wait times. Persistent network protocols continually attempt to transmit immediately after the channel becomes idle, leading to a higher chance of collisions on busy networks. Both are used to manage data traffic efficiently, with the choice depending on network conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms 'non-persistent' and 'persistent' in the context of the question refer to two different behaviors related to networking, more specifically to the way that network protocols handle the transmission of data over a shared medium. The key difference between non-persistent and persistent behaviors is how they respond to data collisions and the use of the network medium.
In a non-persistent network protocol, when a device has data to transmit, it will first listen to the network medium to determine if it is idle. If the medium is not idle, the device will wait for a random period before checking again. This approach minimizes the chances of collision because it doesn't persist in trying to transmit immediately after detecting activity on the channel. However, this can result in longer waiting times before a successful transmission can occur.
In contrast, a persistent network protocol behaves differently. If a device operating under a persistent protocol finds the medium busy, it will persist in its attempt to transmit, trying again immediately after the medium becomes idle. This can potentially lead to a higher chance of collisions, especially on a busy network, since multiple devices may attempt to transmit at once. A subtype of persistent behavior is the p-persistent method, wherein a device will wait for a predetermined probability period before attempting to retransmit, aiming to strike a balance between the aggressive immediate retry and the more conservative non-persistent strategy.
Both non-persistent and persistent approaches are designed to manage data traffic in an efficient and fair manner, but they operate optimally under different network conditions. The choice between them typically depends on the network's characteristics and the requirement for network efficiency and throughput.