What Is Token Ring?

Like Ethernet, token ring is a network architecture. It is used with a ring network topology and employs a token passing protocol.

A small packet called a token which has room for messages and addresses is sent around the ring. As the token circulates, workstations either check to see if the token is addresses to them or try to seize it so that they can assign messages to it. A token contains a control area, which specifies whether the token is free or carriers a message. When a sender device captures a free token, it changes the status of the token from free to busy, adds an addressed message, and releases the token. The message then travels around the ring to the receiver location. The receiver copies the message and changes the status of the token back to free. Then it releases the token.

Although the token ring architecture maintains more order than Ethernet in that  it allows no collisions, sometimes a computer with a defective network interface card will swallow a token. If the token is gone for too long,the LAN assumes it's vanished and generates another. Several versions of the token ring architecture exist, the newer ones being faster and allowing more than a single token. Typical speeds run from a few mbps to several mbps