Table of Contents

Prefaces 1. Introduction Ethernet LANs as in-house communication systems * LAN classification based on Ethernet technology within the IEEE LAN standard * Possible uses of Ethernet LANs 2. The Ethernet Standard Development of the Ethernet standard * Data link layer (IEEE 802.2, LLC) * Medium access control (IEEE 802.3, MAC) * Physical layer (IEEE 802.3, PLS, AUI, MAU) * Further development of standards relevant to Ethernet 3. Components and Media for Constructing Ethernet Multisegments Standard Ethernet * Cheapernet * Fibre optic systems * Twisted-pair systems * Wireless systems * Multimedia access centre 4. Integrated Networks on LANs, Gateways The gateway problem * Bridges * Routers * Planning LAN internetworks with bridges and routers * LAN-WAN gateways * Planning backbone networks for LAN interconnection 5. Components for Connecting Data Terminals Terminal servers * Connection of PCs and workstations * Connection of host systems 6. Higher Protocols for Ethernet LANs Introduction to the tasks of higher protocols * CCITT/OSI protocols * TCP/IP protocol family * Xerox XNS protocol family 7. PC Networks and Integrated Workstation Networks Application programming interfaces * PC networks * Distributed systems in the UNIX world 8. Operational Aspects and Network Management Planning LANs * Cabling strategies * Network management architectures * Tools and devices for operational support * Ethernet LANs at the Leibniz Computing Centre Abbreviations Bibliography Index