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- NET-3.TXT
- NON-USER ACCESSED BACKBONES
- ---------------------------
-
- Thusfar several simple things has been mentioned that could improve throughput
- on existing networks. These were:
-
- 1. Restricting users from accessing backbone trunks.
- 2. Decreasing the node radio TXD time on backbone trunks.
- 3. Incourage LAN users to upgrade to radios with shorter TXD requirements.
- 4. Installing DCD modifications to node AND user TNCs.
-
- No doubt the hackles of more than a few are starting to rise over the idea of
- being denied direct access to the backbone trunk, so let's talk about it.
- First, let's keep in mind here the overall goal is to have a network that's
- fast and efficient. The ideal network should be reliable and give little
- delay from the time a user accesses it until all traffic is passed.
-
- If node-to-node TXDs are optimized for minimum time-delay, on-channel users
- with less than optimum TXD will create node-to-user retries, thus slowing
- internode traffic. Additionally, the user's transmitter is apt to create a
- "hidden transmitter syndrome" which causes collisions and subsequent retries
- between the trunking node and possibly to other nodes on a simplex backbone.
- This latter situation can occur even if the user's TXD does match that of the
- uplinking backbone node. In terms of networking efficiency then, there are
- several valid reasons why throughput is higher on a network backbone trunk
- which denies direct user access.
-
- Once attention has been paid to backbone trunk efficiency, how does one avoid
- creating bottlenecks on busy LAN user access nodes? The solution on some
- systems has been to install full duplex packet repeaters. They usually employ
- the standard 600 KHz frequency split. Repeater receivers and transmitters are
- not dependent on each other so they can react much faster than a simplex node.
- The collision/retry problem associated with the "hidden transmitter syndrome"
- is greatly alleviated since the repeater acts like a traffic cop. The result
- is substantially higher throughput.
-
- Where an access node is located in a high-usage area, a full-duplex packet
- repeater/node is an efficient solution. The drawback of a packet repeater is
- cost, since either a duplexer or dual antenna system is required. However at
- shared sites with high levels of RF congestion, filtering may be required
- anyway. In lower-usage areas, a standard simplex access node is satisfactory.
-