Cambridge Ring
Local Area Network developed by Cambridge University and installed in 1974. The aim of this LAN was to be able to connect as many different nodes as possible to existing operating systems without having to make extensive changes.
The structure of the Cambidge network is a ring to which the stations, consisting of repeater and station unit, are connected. An access box is used to establish the connection between the ring and the unit. A station acts as a monitor and performs tasks such as initializing the packet structure, cleaning up corrupted data packets, and providing data for error and performance statistics.
The Cambridge Ring operates at 10 Mbps, with the available bandwidth divided into slots. Hence the name slotted ring.
These slots, also known as mini-packets, continuously circulate around the ring. They are either ready to receive data or are currently transporting data. The transported data packets are small in size with a length of only 16 data bits, which leads to protocol problems in the higher levels. Despite these disadvantages, the concept impresses with its simplicity.
Four twisted wires are used as the transmission medium.