Reservation CSMA/CD: A multiple access protocol for LAN's

Abstract

A multiple-access protocol for local area networks is described. It is basically a hybrid of carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) and the broadcast recognizing access method (BRAM). CSMA/CD, which is contention-based, works well under light traffic, but message collisions degrade system performance when the channel becomes heavily loaded. BRAM, which is collision-free, has longer delays at low load, but its efficiency improves as the load increases. Performance models are developed for the hybrid protocol and for the Ethernet protocol, a proven commercial implementation of CSMA/CD-type protocols. It is found that the hybrid protocol gives better performance for a wide range of scenarios.