Access Methods / Internet and Networking

• An access method determines how systems access the network or place data on the wire. 
• CSMA/CD is the access method uses by Ethernet networks and involves a host sensing traffic on the wire.  When the wire is free of traffic, the host can send it's data. 
• Token passing is the access method used by Token Ring.  When a system on a Token Ring network wants to send data it must wait to receive the token.