Communication channel is shared by all the machines on the network in

In a network where the communication channel is shared by all the machines, the term commonly refers to a topology known as a bus topology or a broadcast channel. In such networks, every communication transmitted by any machine is received by all other machines. Ethernet networks, in their classic form, are an example of this, where all devices on a network segment share the same medium.

This shared medium architecture necessitates mechanisms to control access to the channel to ensure orderly and collision-free communication among devices. Two well-known access control methods in this context are:

1. Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD): This method is used in traditional Ethernet networks. Devices check the channel for traffic (carrier sense). If no traffic is detected, the device transmits. If two devices transmit simultaneously, a collision is detected, and each device waits a random amount of time before attempting to retransmit.

2. Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA): Utilized in Wi-Fi networks (IEEE 802.11), this method is similar to CSMA/CD but designed to avoid collisions before they occur. Devices check for traffic, and if the channel is clear, the device sends a notification that it will transmit, reducing the chance of collision.

In shared communication channels, efficient data exchange is achieved through these and other protocols, which manage how devices detect each other’s presence, avoid data collisions, and ensure that messages are sent and received without interference from