Question

Briefly explain the steps of the CSMA/CD process used by Ethernet.

Answer 1

CSMA/CD is a process used by Ethernet to avoid collisions on a network. The steps involved in CSMA/CD are Carrier Sense (CS), Multiple Access (MA), and Collision Detection (CD).

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Carrier Sense (CS): The network interface card (NIC) listens on the Ethernet network for any signals being transmitted. If the network is idle, the NIC proceeds to the next step.
2. Multiple Access (MA): The NIC waits for a specific period of time after sensing an idle network before trying to transmit a message. This helps to avoid collisions with other devices that may also try to transmit at the same time.
3. Collision Detection (CD): While transmitting, the NIC continuously checks if there is any signal interference or collision. If a collision is detected, the NIC stops transmitting and waits for a random time interval before trying again.