Multiple choice

After an Ethernet collision, when the backoff algorithm is invoked, which device has priority to transmit data?

  1. the device involved in the collision with the lowest MAC address

  2. the device involved in the collision with the lowest IP address

  3. any device in the collision domain whose backoff timer expires first

  4. those that began transmitting at the same time
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

After a collision, CSMA/CD's backoff algorithm has each device wait a random amount of time before attempting to retransmit. The device whose random backoff timer expires first gets priority to transmit - there is no inherent priority based on MAC address, IP address, or timing of the collision itself. This randomized approach helps prevent repeated collisions by ensuring devices don't all retry simultaneously.

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