Which of the following protocols helps prevent data collisions on Ethernet networks?

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Accepted Answer

CSMA/CD - CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) is a protocol used in traditional Ethernet networks to detect and manage data collisions.

When multiple devices share the same communication medium, like a single Ethernet cable, there is a chance they may send data at the same time. This causes a collision, which leads to data corruption.

CSMA/CD helps solve this problem by using the following steps:

Devices "listen" to the cable to check if it is free before sending data (Carrier Sense).
Multiple devices can use the cable, but only one at a time (Multiple Access).
If a collision is detected, all devices stop sending, wait for a random time, and try again (Collision Detection).


This method was commonly used in older Ethernet systems that used hubs. Modern networks mostly use switches, which isolate traffic and reduce collisions, so CSMA/CD is less used today but still important to understand.

Conclusion: CSMA/CD is a key protocol at the Data Link Layer that helps prevent and handle data collisions in Ethernet networks, ensuring reliable data transmission.

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