Dual MAC usage in FDDI

Abstract

Two possible applications of dual ring use in the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) are described. First, a straightforward mechanism of load sharing on the MAC layer based on the assumption of a homogeneous dual MAC network is discussed. Second, the TCP/IP sublayer DMARP (dual MAC ARP) is introduced. This sublayer supports dual MAC operations in inhomogeneous FDDI networks. A way towards the use of dual MAC FDDI in general network protocols is identified.<>