In addition,
other functionality (priority, traffic management, and so on) was continuously added
as well, making the per-bit cost even more appealing. In comparison, the token-based
competition, despite some initial appeal, was woefully left behind in a short while, as
shown Figure 1.7.
As price and performance improved, Ethernet became even more popular in the
enterprise, leading to further competition and improvements and thereby stimulating
more demand. This increased-demand-leading-to-improved price/performance cycle??”
coupled with its inherent plug-and-play simplicity??”was mutually reinforcing and
clearly explains the near exponential demand growth in Ethernet LAN ports vis-? -vis
Token Ring, for example. With such growth, the pool of IT professionals with expertise
in Ethernet also grew; and this also contributed to furthering Ethernet??™s acceptance.
Thus, the decision to license Ethernet to anyone, continually improve its capabilities,
standardize these capabilities, and enforce interoperability, definitely underpinned the
success of Ethernet in the LAN. A pervasive theme was the amazing responsiveness of
Ethernet to market requirements, essentially leading to an Ethernet that is vastly different
(improved) than the original 802.
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