IEEE 802 Standards – Detailed Summary and
Explanation
1. IEEE 802 Overview
The IEEE 802 standards define the set of protocols for Local Area Networks (LANs) and
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Each sub-group under IEEE 802 focuses on a specific aspect
of networking such as Ethernet, Token Ring, or Wireless LANs. These standards operate mainly at
the Data Link Layer and Physical Layer of the OSI Model. Some of the major IEEE 802 working
groups include:
• IEEE 802.3 – Ethernet (CSMA/CD)
• IEEE 802.4 – Token Bus
• IEEE 802.5 – Token Ring
• IEEE 802.11 – Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi)
• IEEE 802.15 – Wireless PAN (Bluetooth)
• IEEE 802.16 – Broadband Wireless (WiMAX)
This document focuses mainly on IEEE 802.3, 802.4, and 802.5 standards as covered in the PPT.
2. IEEE 802.3 – Ethernet (CSMA/CD)
Ethernet is the most widely used LAN technology based on the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with
Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) protocol. In this method, a device checks if the medium (cable) is
idle before sending data. If two stations transmit simultaneously, a collision occurs, and both stop
and retry after a random waiting time. This waiting time is determined using a Binary Exponential
Backoff algorithm.
CSMA/CD Working:
1. If the medium is idle → transmit the frame.
2. If busy → wait until it becomes idle.
3. If a collision is detected → stop transmitting immediately.
4. Wait a random backoff time → retry sending the frame.
This ensures fair access to the shared communication medium.
Frame Size and Timing:
• Minimum Frame Size = 512 bits (64 bytes).
• Maximum Frame Size = 1518 bytes.
• This ensures that collisions can be detected within the time it takes for a signal to propagate
through the cable (around 50 microseconds for 2500 meters).
Frame Format:
Preamble | Start of Frame Delimiter (SFD) | Destination Address | Source Address | Length | Data |
Frame Check Sequence (CRC)
• Preamble – Alternating 1s and 0s for clock synchronization.
• SFD – Marks start of the frame.
• Addresses – 48-bit MAC addresses.
• CRC – Error detection field.
Addressing and Encoding:
• MAC address: 48 bits unique to each network device.
• Unicast (specific device), Multicast (group), Broadcast (all devices).
• Encoding method used: Manchester Encoding – combines clock and data for synchronization.
Ethernet Variants:
• Fast Ethernet (IEEE 802.3u): 100 Mbps, compatible with 10BASE-T.
– 100BASE-TX (Cat5 UTP), 100BASE-FX (Fiber), 100BASE-T4 (Cat3).
• Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3z): 1 Gbps using 8B/10B encoding; used for backbone networks.
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3ae): 10 Gbps using 64b/66b encoding; high-speed data centers
and backbones.
3. IEEE 802.4 – Token Bus
Token Bus networks use a physical bus or tree topology but form a logical ring over it. Each station
knows the address of its predecessor and successor in the logical ring. The network uses a token
(special control frame) to grant permission to transmit. Only the station holding the token can
transmit data, eliminating collisions.
Operation:
1. A station with the token can transmit one or more frames.
2. After sending or if it has nothing to send, it passes the token to the next station.
3. The process continues in a logical order forming a ring sequence.
4. This ensures deterministic and collision-free communication.
Frame Format:
Preamble | Start Delimiter | Frame Control | Destination Address | Source Address | Payload |
Checksum | End Delimiter.
Each field provides synchronization, addressing, data, and error detection functionality.
Problems and Solutions:
• If a station leaves → it informs its neighbors to reconnect the ring.
• If a new station joins → a ‘join window’ is opened, and ID-based contention resolves conflicts.
• Token management and polling ensure balanced network load.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
✔ Deterministic access (no collisions).
✖ High overhead due to token management.
✖ Difficult reconfiguration during station joining or leaving.
4. IEEE 802.5 – Token Ring
Token Ring is a LAN protocol developed by IBM using a physical ring topology. Data travels in one
direction, and only the station possessing the token can transmit. It operates at 4 or 16 Mbps using
Differential Manchester encoding.
Frame Types:
1. Data/Command Frame
2. Token Frame
3. Abort Frame
Frame Format:
Start Delimiter | Access Control | Frame Control | Destination Address | Source Address | Data |
CRC | End Delimiter | Frame Status
• Access Control field defines priority and token bits.
• Frame Status contains bits A (Address recognized) and C (Frame copied).
Monitor Stations:
There are two types of monitors:
• Active Monitor (AM) – manages token regeneration, error handling, and removes duplicate
frames.
• Standby Monitor (SM) – becomes active if AM fails.
Monitor election ensures reliability and continuity of the ring.
Advantages:
✔ Collision-free communication.
✔ Priority-based token access.
✔ Built-in fault detection via monitor functions.
Disadvantages:
✖ More expensive and complex hardware.
✖ Entire network affected if one node or connection fails (unless bypass hardware used).
✖ Slower adoption due to Ethernet’s simplicity.
5. Comparison of IEEE 802.3, 802.4, and 802.5
Feature IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) IEEE 802.4 (Token Bus) IEEE 802.5 (Token Ring)
Access Method CSMA/CD Token Passing (Bus) Token Passing (Ring)
Topology Bus / Star Bus / Tree Ring
Encoding Manchester NRZ or Manchester Differential Manchester
Speed 10 Mbps – 10 Gbps 1–10 Mbps 4–16 Mbps
Collision Possible None None
Priority No Yes Yes
Reliability Medium High High
Cost Low Medium High
Popularity Very High Low Obsolete
6. Summary and Key Takeaways
• IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) – Most successful LAN technology; flexible, scalable, and inexpensive.
• IEEE 802.4 (Token Bus) – Deterministic but complex; suited for industrial applications.
• IEEE 802.5 (Token Ring) – Reliable but costly; replaced by faster Ethernet technologies.
Overall, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) became the global networking standard due to simplicity, scalability,
and cost efficiency.
