FDDI-a new standard for high speed fiber optic data networks

Standards for a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) are being approved. This 100 Mb/s optical communications network uses packet switching and a token protocol. Work has begun on a companion standard, FDDI-II, a hybrid network designed to support both isochronous circuit switching and packet switching. A description is given of the network topology, fiber-optic transmission, data transmission, ring operation, network initialization, and FDDI-II hybrid operation.<>