A Comparative Analysis of Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI Protocols in Distributed Systems Using Cisco Packet Tracer

Francis Kwadzo   Agbenyegah; Micheal  Asante; Perfect Aku  Ayatey; Moses Kwasi   Kusedzi

Authors

Francis Kwadzo Agbenyegah Department of Computer Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Micheal Asante Department of Computer Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Perfect Aku Ayatey Department of ICT, St Francis College of Education, Hohoe, Ghana
Moses Kwasi Kusedzi Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein Free State, South Africa

Keywords:

LAN, Token Ring, Ethernet, FDDI, Cisco Packet Tracer

Abstract

Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that connects users in a moderately sized geographical area. LAN protocols like the Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Ring, and Ethernet protocol are being investigated to find out their performance. This paper compares and analyses the network performance of the three LAN protocols; Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI in a distributed system through simulation using a cisco packet tracer. The results show there is a higher system performance in FDDI followed by token Ring and Ethernet protocols. Also increasing the node on the system have a higher impact on system performance. With increased nodes, system performance was good in the Ethernet network, followed by the FDDI and the token Ring. With regards to the delay in the system, the Ethernet network shows more improvement in dealing with delay as it records low delay as compared to FDDI and token ring. With the three performance indicators, Ethernet performs better in two metrics (ACK, Delay) than FDDI and token Ring. The general conclusion is that Ethernet protocol is better in LAN topology than FDDI and token Ring protocol.