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Collision Domain and Broadcast Domain in Computer Network

A collision domain is a network segment where devices can experience packet collisions if transmitting simultaneously. A broadcast domain is a network segment where devices receive broadcast packets. Hubs do not separate collision or broadcast domains, so all connected devices share the same domains. Switches separate collision domains by port but do not separate broadcast domains. Routers separate both collision and broadcast domains, isolating traffic between connected networks.

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266 views

Collision Domain and Broadcast Domain in Computer Network

A collision domain is a network segment where devices can experience packet collisions if transmitting simultaneously. A broadcast domain is a network segment where devices receive broadcast packets. Hubs do not separate collision or broadcast domains, so all connected devices share the same domains. Switches separate collision domains by port but do not separate broadcast domains. Routers separate both collision and broadcast domains, isolating traffic between connected networks.

Uploaded by

naeemabbas.skp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Collision Domain and Broadcast Domain

in Computer Network

The most common network devices used are routers and switches. But we still
hear people talking about hubs, repeaters, and bridges. Do you ever wonder
why these former devices are preferred over the latter ones? One reason could
be: ‘because they are more efficient and powerful’. But what actually is the
reason behind their efficiency? This is when terms like “Collision
Domains” and “Broadcast Domains” come into the picture. 
Before going further, let us recall that a hub is a multiple-port repeater.
Similarly, a switch is a multiple-port bridge so that you can understand why
repeaters and bridges are not typically used in production networks(because of
less number of ports). 
Now, narrowing down to Hubs, Switches and Routers, let us discuss them in
reference with the below domains. 

1.
Collision Domain – 
A Collision Domain is a scenario in which when a device sends out a
message to the network, all other devices which are included in its
collision domain have to pay attention to it, no matter if it was destined
for them or not. This causes a problem because, in a situation where
two devices send out their messages simultaneously, a collision will
occur leading them to wait and re-transmit their respective messages,
one at a time. Remember, it happens only in case of a half-duplex
mode.
2. Broadcast Domain – 
A Broadcast Domain is a scenario in which when a device sends out a
broadcast message, all the devices present in its broadcast domain
have to pay attention to it. This creates a lot of congestion in the
network, commonly called LAN congestion, which affects the
bandwidth of the users present in that network. 
From this, we can realize that more the number of collision domains
and more the number of broadcast domains, the more efficient is the
network providing better bandwidth to all its users.
So, which of our network devices break collision domains and which of them
break broadcast domains? 
 
 HUB – 
We start with a hub because we should get rid of it as soon as
possible. The reason being, it neither breaks a collision domain nor a
broadcast domain,i.e a hub is neither a collision domain separator nor
a broadcast domain separator. All the devices connected to a hub is in
a single collision and single broadcast domain. Remember, hubs do
not segment a network, they just connect network segments.
 SWITCH – 
Coming to switches, we have an advantage over the hub. Every port
on a switch is in a different collision domain, i.e a switch is a collision
domain separator. So messages that come from devices connected to
different ports never experience a collision. This helps us during
designing networks but there is still a problem with switches. They
never break broadcast domains, means it is not a broadcast domain
separator. All the ports on the switch are in still in a single broadcast
domain. If a device sends a broadcast message, it will still cause
congestion.
 ROUTER – 
Last, but not least, we have our savior. A router not only breaks
collision domains but also break broadcast domains, means it is both
collision as well as broadcast domain separator. A router creates a
connection between two networks. A broadcast message from one
network will never reach the other one as the router will never let it
pass. 
 
 
Also, as repeaters and bridges differ from hubs and switches only in terms of
the number of ports, a repeater does not break collision and broadcast
domains, while a bridge breaks only collision domains. 

CSMA/CD
CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) helps hosts to
decide when to send packets on a shared network segment and how to detect collisions
if they occur. For example, in a hub network, two devices can send packets at the same
time. This can cause a collision. CSMA/CD enables devices to “sense” the wire to
ensure that no other device is currently transmitting packets. But, if two devices “sense”
that the wire is clear and send packets at the same time, a collision can occur. If the
collision occur, packets have to be resend after a random period of time.

Consider the following example:


In the topology above we have a hub network. Host A is trying to communicate with host
B. Host A “senses” the wire and decides to send packets. But, in the same time, host C
sends its packets to host D and the collision occurs. The sending devices (host A and
host C) detect the collision and resend the packet after a random period of time.

NOTE
Since switches are now commonly used in networks instead of hubs, CSMA/CD is not
really used anymore. Each port on a swich usually operate in a full duplex mode and
there are no packet collisions in a full duplex mode.

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