Media Access Unit - wikipedia Media Access Unit `` MSAU '' redirects here. For the settlement in the Coast Province, see Msau. Not to be confused with Medium Attachment Unit. An IBM 8226 Multistation Access Unit featuring LEDs An IBM 8228 Multistation Access Unit with accompanying Setup Aid A Media Access Unit ( MAU ), also known as a Multistation Access Unit ( MAU or MSAU ) is a device to attach multiple network stations in a star topology as a token ring network, internally wired to connect the stations into a logical ring ( generally passive i.e. non-switched and unmanaged ; however managed token ring MAUs do exist in the form of CAUs, or Controlled Access Units ). Passive token ring was an active IBM networking product in the 1997 time - frame, after which it was rapidly displaced by switched networking. Contents 1 Advantages and disadvantages 1.1 Passive networking without power 1.2 Bandwidth 2 Fault tolerance 3 See also 4 References 5 External links Advantages and disadvantages Passive networking without power An IBM 8228 Setup Aid opened exposing the battery Relays found on the 8226 MAU circuit board The majority of IBM - implemented ( actual ) passive Token ring MAUs operated without the requirement of power ; instead the passive MAU used a series of relays that adjusted themselves as data is passed through : this is also why Token ring generally used relays to terminate disconnected or failed ports. The power-less IBM 8228 Multistation Access Unit requires a special ' Setup Aid ' tool to re-align the relays after the unit has been moved which causes them to be in incorrect states : this is accomplished by a 9v battery sending a charge to snap the relays back in a proper state. The advantages of having a MAU operate without power is that they can be placed in areas without outlets, the disadvantage is that they must be primed each time the internal relays experience excessive force. The IBM 8226 MAU, while containing a power jack, primarily uses this for the LEDs : relays are still used inside the unit but do not require priming. Bandwidth This networking technology supported large geographic areas ( with a total ring circumference of several kilometers ), but the bandwidth was shared by all stations, and thus this technology was soon displaced by high - bandwidth switched networks. Fault tolerance Multistation Access Units contain relays to short out non-operating stations. Multiple MAUs can be connected into a larger ring through their ring in / ring out connectors. An MAU is also called a `` ring in a box ''. The loop that used to make up the ring of the token ring is now integrated into this device. In token ring, when a link is broken in the ring, the entire network goes down ; however with an MAU, the broken circuit is closed within 1ms ; allowing stations on the ring to have their cords unplugged without disabling the entire network. See also Lobe Attachment Module Token ring References Jump up ^ http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/books/TR_Networks_Intro_Planning_Guide_Chpt1.pdf Jump up ^ http://www.mcamafia.de/mcapage0/8228tool.htm Jump up ^ ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/networking/nswww/neteam/998pg/c822602.pdf Jump up ^ IBM ( 1997 ). `` Token - Ring Migration to Switched LAN Interconnect -- A Technical White Paper ''. Archived from the original on January 11, 1997. Jump up ^ IBM ( 1997 ). `` LAN Hub Sales Guide '' ( PDF ). This article is based on material taken from the Free On - line Dictionary of Computing prior to 1 November 2008 and incorporated under the `` relicensing '' terms of the GFDL, version 1.3 or later. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Media access unit. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Media_access_unit&oldid=786393416 '' Categories : Networking hardware Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Italiano Slovenčina 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 19 June 2017, at 05 : 34. About Wikipedia

Question: in which topology is the central connecting device known as a multistation access unit (mau)
Answer: star