CSMA/CD
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Networking
| Stands for | Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
CSMA/CD stands for Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection, a networking abbreviation.
The media access method of classic shared Ethernet: a device listens for silence before transmitting, detects when another device transmits at the same moment, stops, and retries after a random delay. It let many computers share one coaxial cable or hub.
Example: Explain why CSMA/CD is unnecessary on a full-duplex switched Ethernet link.
Usage notes
Modern switched, full-duplex Ethernet has no collisions, so CSMA/CD survives mainly in textbooks and certification exams. Wi-Fi uses a related method, CSMA/CA (collision avoidance), because a radio cannot reliably hear collisions while transmitting. After each successive collision the random waiting range doubles, a scheme called binary exponential backoff.
Related abbreviations
More networking abbreviations
- BGP – Border Gateway Protocol
- CGNAT – Carrier-grade NAT
- CIDR – Classless Inter-Domain Routing
- CIFS – Common Internet File System
- CNAME – Canonical name (record)
- CRC – Cyclic redundancy check
- DDNS – Dynamic DNS
- DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
- DMZ – Demilitarized zone
- DNS – Domain Name System
- DNSSEC – Domain Name System Security Extensions
- DoH – DNS over HTTPS