A microprocessor-based local network access unit

In this paper the authors outline the background and design aims of a microprocessor-based access unit used for connecting computers, user terminals and other devices to an Ethernet-style local area network. The hardware and software implementations of the access units are described, together with details of their interfaces to various devices on the one hand and to the communication medium on the other. The access unit approach produces a cheap but moderately powerful local network and gives a flexible base for constructing networks of different architectures, including broadcasting and ring types.