View Source: CSMA/CA - Waikato Linux Users Group

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[Acronym] for __C__arrier __S__ense __M__ultiple __A__ccess with __C__ollision __A__voidance

A network access protocol used in Apple's LocalTalk networks and wireless network access methods. It is a variation of the [CSMA/CD] protocol used in [Ethernet] networks. As in [CSMA/CD] method, each device listens to the signal level to determine when the channel is idle. Unlike the [CSMA/CD], it, then, waits for a random amount of time before trying to send a packet. After a while, the device senses the signal level again and if the channel is free, the packet is sent. If the channel is busy, the time interval before the next attempt is doubled. In some versions of the protocol the time interval between attempts is based on the device's position in the devices list.

The principal medium access method employed by IEEE 802.11 wireless [LAN]s ([WLAN]s). It is a ""listen before talk"" method of minimizing (but not eliminating) collisions caused by simultaneous transmission by multiple radios. IEEE 802.11 states the collision avoidance method rather than the collision detection that must be used, because the standard employs half-duplex radios-radios capable of transmission or reception-but not both simultaneously.

You may also like to compare [CSMA/CA] with DAMA (DemandAssignedMultipleAccess) which is used for protocols such as TokenRing and works in a similar fashion to [CSMA/CA].

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CategoryNetworking

3 pages link to CSMA /CA:

Last edited on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 5:02:07 pm by MattBrown

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