Collision domain

From Free net encyclopedia

A collision domain is a logical area in a computer network where data packets can "collide" with one another, in particular in the Ethernet networking protocol. The more collisions in a network the less efficient it is.

A collision domain can be a single segment of Ethernet cable in shared-media Ethernet, or a single Ethernet hub in twisted-pair Ethernet, or even a whole network of hubs and repeaters.

Devices with collision domains

Following the layers of the OSI model you can determine what devices extend or compound collision domains.

OSI Layer 1 Devices (e.g. Ethernet hubs, repeaters) forward all data that is sent on the media and therefore extend collision domains.

OSI Layer 2 and Layer 3 Devices (e.g. switches, routers) segment collision domains.

With Ethernet if you have more than four switches in one network then you are likely to extend the collision domain.

Furthermore

Compare with broadcast domain.fr:Domaine de collision he:מתחם התנגשות pt:Domínio de colisão ru:Домен коллизий