Token Ring, Token Bus

Token Ring

Token ring (IEEE 802.5) is a communication protocol in a local area network (LAN) where all stations are connected in a ring topology and pass one or more tokens for channel acquisition. A token is a special frame of 3 bytes that circulates along the ring of stations. A station can send data frames only if it holds a token. The tokens are released on successful receipt of the data frame.

Token Passing Mechanism in Token Ring

If a station has a frame to transmit when it receives a token, it sends the frame and then passes the token to the next station; otherwise it simply passes the token to the next station. Passing the token means receiving the token from the preceding station and transmitting to the successor station. The data flow is unidirectional in the direction of the token passing. In order that tokens are not circulated infinitely, they are removed from the network once their purpose is completed. 

This is shown in the following diagram −

Token Bus

Token Bus (IEEE 802.4) is a standard for implementing token ring over virtual ring in LANs. The physical media has a bus or a tree topology and uses coaxial cables. A virtual ring is created with the nodes/stations and the token is passed from one node to the next in a sequence along this virtual ring. Each node knows the address of its preceding station and its succeeding station. A station can only transmit data when it has the token. The working principle of token bus is similar to Token Ring.

Token Passing Mechanism in Token Bus

A token is a small message that circulates among the stations of a computer network providing permission to the stations for transmission. If a station has data to transmit when it receives a token, it sends the data and then passes the token to the next station; otherwise, it simply passes the token to the next station. 

This is depicted in the following diagram −

Differences between Token Ring and Token Bus

Token Ring	Token Bus
The token is passed over the physical ring formed by the stations and the coaxial cable network.	The token is passed along the virtual ring of stations connected to a LAN.
The stations are connected by ring topology, or sometimes star topology.	The underlying topology that connects the stations is either bus or tree topology.
It is defined by IEEE 802.5 standard.	It is defined by IEEE 802.4 standard.
The maximum time for a token to reach a station can be calculated here.	It is not feasible to calculate the time for token transfer.