ARCNet for Not Yet Techies

"Computer Careers: Working With This Token-Bus Network Technology and Design"

by Richard Stooker, President Info Ring Press and author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career

ARCNet stands for Attached Resource Computer Network and was created in 1977 by the Datapoint Corporation. It uses a token-bus method for managing line sharing among computers and other devices in the LAN. A bus is a line in which every message goes through every device on the line but each devices takes the message only if it's addressed to the device.) When an ARCNet device wants to send a message, it inserts a token in an open frame, along with the message.

ARCNet has the destination computer or device or the LAN server read the message, reset the token so that frame can be re-used by another computer. This lets all devices use the network and avoids collisions between their data sending.

So ARCNet is similar to token ring networks, except that the computers don't have to be connected in any particular fashion

It can use a star, bus or star bus topology.

Devices pass the data frames based on station numbers which are set by adapters via dual in-line (DIP) switches.

Because you have to manually configure cards and data transmission speed is a mere 2.5 Mps, it is no longer popular.

ARCNet does use RG-62 (93 ohms) cabling. It can also use fiber optic lines.

Next: ARP Address Resolution Protocol

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