Decentralized token-CSMA/CD protocol for integrated voice/data LANs

Abstract

In this paper we propose a decentralized protocol for integrated voice and data local area networks. This protocol is based on a hybrid token-CSMA/CD protocol which combines all the merits of the CSMA/CD network and the token-passing network. We apply the hybrid protocol to voice and data individually, and offer two implicit tokens, one voice token and one data token, to achieve the priorities requirements. The voice transmission follows the token-passing protocol with a contention-resolution mechanism. It enforces a bounded delay to guarantee the real-time delivery for voice. This hybrid protocol will serve data of the low priority as fairly as best. To evaluate the protocol's performance, analytical formulations are derived. Numerical results are obtained for the throughput as well as the mean packet delay. © 1991.