Is it possible to simultaneously transmit a basic ring topology?

Question

Is it possible to simultaneously transmit with a basic ring topology? In a basic ring topology can I have more than one token? Is Active Monitor will remove tokens if I have more then one? Can you give some useful link about it?

Answer 1

Well it depends on what kind of ring we are talking about. If the ring is able to use multiple wavelengths, such as a MultiTokenRing, then it can have one token per wavelength, and thus multiple nodes can transmit data at the same time.

For a simple ring, I think Wikipedia has a clear answer:

When no station is transmitting a data frame, a special token frame circles the loop. This special token frame is repeated from station to station until arriving at a station that needs to transmit data. When a station needs to transmit data, it converts the token frame into a data frame for transmission. Once the sending station receives its own data frame, it converts the frame back into a token. If a transmission error occurs and no token frame, or more than one, is present, a special station referred to as the Active Monitor detects the problem and removes and/or reinserts tokens as necessary (see Active and standby monitors). On 4 Mbit/s Token Ring, only one token may circulate; on 16 Mbit/s Token Ring, there may be multiple tokens.