In shared networks, computers wait for the circuit to be free and may collide if two transmit simultaneously. This is known as what?

In shared networks, computers wait for the circuit to be free and may collide if two transmit simultaneously. This is known as what?

• A. Contention
• B. Token Passing
• C. Scheduling
• D. Arbitration

Answer: (A)

Contention is the situation in a shared network where multiple devices try to use the same communication medium at the same time. Because the medium isn’t dedicated to a single transmitter, devices wait for it to be free; if two begin transmitting while the channel is still considered idle, their signals collide and the data must be retried. This is exactly what happens in CSMA/CD networks like Ethernet. Token passing, scheduling, and arbitration describe other access methods or conflict-resolution mechanisms, but the scenario of simultaneous transmission leading to collisions is the hallmark of contention.

Contention is the situation in a shared network where multiple devices try to use the same communication medium at the same time. Because the medium isn’t dedicated to a single transmitter, devices wait for it to be free; if two begin transmitting while the channel is still considered idle, their signals collide and the data must be retried. This is exactly what happens in CSMA/CD networks like Ethernet. Token passing, scheduling, and arbitration describe other access methods or conflict-resolution mechanisms, but the scenario of simultaneous transmission leading to collisions is the hallmark of contention.