This page provides a brief introduction to network terminology. One of the most common types of networks is Ethernet . Fast Ethernet , as 100BASE-T is sometimes called, can transmit data at 100Mbps . The newest version of Ethernet is called Gigabit Ethernet , and it can transmit data at 1000Mbps . This version is still being tested and has yet to be implemented.
Ethernet can support both bus and star topologies.
The most popular is the star topology, which makes use of a central hub through which all information is routed. Because each station can send a packet at any time, collisions between packets do occur. These are common and are corrected instantaneously. Another type of network is the Token Ring Network , which uses a token passing access method. In token passing, collisions between packets are prevented by assuring that only one station can transmit at any given time.