Glossary of Data Communications Terms

Courtesy Enterprise-Wide Computing, Inc.

Term: token ring
Definition: A local area network formed in a ring (closed loop) topology that uses token passing as a means of regulating traffic on the line. On a token ring network, a token governing the right to transmit is passed from one station to the next in a physical circle. If a station has information to transmit, it 'seizes' the token, marks it as being in use, and inserts the information. The 'busy' token, plus message, is then passed around the circle, copied when it arrives at its destination, and eventually returned to the sender. The sender removes the attached message and then passes the freed token to the next station in line. Token ring networks are defined in the IEEE 802.5 standards. See also IEEE 802 standards, ring network, token passing, IBM Token Ring. Compare token bus network.

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Last Modified:
Wednesday, April 22, 1998