The Collision Problem That Crippled Ethernet (And How We Solved It)
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Ever wonder how computers actually talk to each other over a wire? In this episode of ScienceLive, we break it all down — starting with the earliest Ethernet networks running over coaxial cable, through the switch to Cat5 cabling, and into the fundamental building block of all network communication: the packet.
You’ll learn what packets are, how they carry your data across a network, and why early Ethernet had a serious flaw — data collisions that could bring an entire network to its knees. We explain why collisions happen and what they mean for the data you’re trying to send.
Then comes the part we’re most excited about: how my team and I discovered a solution to stop packet collisions entirely, leading to the invention of WideBand networking. In this episode we give you the teaser — next week, we’ll teach you exactly how it works.
This lesson is for anyone who wants to truly understand computer networking from the ground up — how Ethernet came about, how it works, and where it’s headed.
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I love this
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Im so excited!
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im gonna finish highschool in like 2.5 years.
thank you acellus
Micah that is so exciting, you are so close! Keep up the good work!
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So fun! I always learn so much
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who invented the ethernet cables/ who patened them?
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amazing live
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Awesome!!
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See ya next time R51!! This was cool.
I love watching science live! I always learn so much!
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I didn’t know there was ever an issue with Ethernet. That’s neat!
Great science live! Great work every buddy!
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Hi, im here because of science live, and its awesome, funny, epic, and exiting
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this is so cool
This live was so interesting! Can’t wait for next week’s science live!
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My family and I love Acellus! The way Dr. Billings is always looking for ways to help so that more students can attend Acellus is Wonderful!
Hello Noah! We love to hear that you and your family love Acellus, hopefully we will see you at Acellus World!
Great live!
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I loved learning about how watchmakers first tried to keep the second “on time”…a tiny tuning fork is an amazing idea!
I love watching science lives.
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Science live is so fun!
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Hello, this was very interesting
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Hello from hawaii, I loved the video I learned some new things today
Is this Wednesday April 8th science live?👩🏼💻
That’s right Maleah – thanks for joining us!
I love watching science live! I always learn so much!
My computer has a motherboard that doesn’t have WiFi and I have to use the Ethernet cable to play online games. I think it’s cool I get to learn more about it today.
I love Sciencelive
Hello from maine
Hello from GA! Happy Wednesday!
Good evening from Georgia!
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rylee here from reno nevada!
That’s awesome
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I enjoyed learning more about science as always!
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Love the video this week!
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Artemis is so cool
hi from Georgia!! I love science live!!
Hi Michael! Thanks for joining us!
The show is amazing!
This sounds like an exciting episode I’ve always wanted to no more about it!
The fact that we experienced Artemis is crazy because it is history in the making”.
This was a very interesting video!!
What was the collision problem?
Watch and find out! 👀
hello from south carolina
This is so fascinating.
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Here from New York, ready for this Science Live!
when is the conspiracy theory course being released?
Mark your calendars! Conspiracy Theories with Dr. Todd Edmond premieres at Acellus World next month! We can’t wait for you to see it!
love this!!
Hope everyone had a good day!
The history of how Ethernet was made was interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the video. Watching from East Texas.
Hello from the Bahamas.
Learning about computers is a interesting topic I hope to learn more about in the future.
Hi from GA!
All so cool. Thank you for this information. Our dad is an IT guru.
Watching Artemis was so cool! I watched it live and I saw them count down. It takes forever to get to the moon they were scheduled to land on the 6th. 🚀🚀🚀
Hey from Florida colton
Thank you that video was very helpful to me and I really enjoyed it and I you make me laugh in every moment thank youu again
You’re welcome Vadym!
Thank you that video was very helpful to me and I really enjoyed it and I you make me laugh in every moment thank youu again
hello from virginia
Hi Olivia
I cant express how grateful I am and how much I look forward to our weekly Science Lives!
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science live is cool
This was so cool! Excited to watch more!
this is great to know about.
Hello from Washington!
This is so cool!
Will this still count?
Great question! Make sure you’re logged in. If you can see your Acellus ID above the comment section then you’re all set. Your parents can check in anytime to see your attendance: Checking Science Live Attendance
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no way same!
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Pajet Monet is goated
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This is still one of my favorite things that I look forward too
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Hello from NC
I love science, I’m hoping to be a marine biologist!
Hi Kaycee, a Marine Biologist is a very neat profession!
marine biologist sounds fun!!!
I’m loving science live and I love the way Ethernet runs.
I thought that computers talking/transferring things to another piece of technology sounded ironic. Kind of thinking about it, if computers weren’t able to connect with another type of device (mainly Bluetooth from what I’m thinking) then how would most technology work, such as BT headphones or printers? The invention Ron Crane and the other computer techs thought of was a great idea!
this is such a cool concept!
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Hi from Georgia
I love Acellus
I love dino run lol!
The ethernet name originating from a science space term is so cool.
this is so cool
Hi from Texas
im from texas
same!
I am very excited for this weeks video!
Hi from Michigan!
The collision diagram helped me a lot with how well y’all explained it.
did anyone watch the ‘Project Hail Mary’ movie?
I love learning about new things during Science Live!
As always love the Science Live family!
Glad to have you here with us!
so cool
Watching from GA!
so cool
Why were punch out cards used at one point to code on computers?
Punch cards were used because early computers had no screens or keyboards like we have today. Instead, programmers would punch little holes in cards to represent instructions. The computer would then read the pattern of holes and know exactly what to do. Think of it like a music box — the little bumps on the spinning cylinder tell it which notes to play. Punch cards did the same thing for computers.
Hello from Hawaii!!
Hello from Mississippi!!
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here from texas
Hello from Georgia!
So excited to learn!!
Love to learn
Hi guys! Can’t wait to learn more!!!
Quite interesting how the internet and ethernet works, I learned something new today!
Thank you!
Hello from Missouri!
I learned about how the company zerox engineers were trying to accomplish a project that was based on how computers connected , and with printers too.
Hello from Georgia!
watching from De!
hello from Georgia
hello from KS
Hello from Jacksonville!!
The diogram helped alot with explaining how it works
hello from nc
Dr. roger billings’ persistence and confidence is anazing and inspiring
love this!
hello from Floridaaaa!!
The robot that functions with air is really cool!!
I find it intresting how packets carry your data across the world.
Incredibly interesting and nice to learn.
Why has it taken so long to get to the moon again? What’s been holding them back??
I watched the launch, so cool
i enjoy watching science lives every Wednesday
Thank you for joining us!
I really liked learning about ethernet
I love thissss
Artemis II was so cool to watch!!
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Can’t wait to watch this!
I love R51 he’s super funny
R-51 is the best!
Hi this is Larry from Florida!
i loved this episode!
Hi there guys nice to see sciencelive
SCIENCE LIVE!
hi everyone!!! Watching from Florida!!!
I think it would be really cool to be able to go to the moon.
Hello!!!♥️♥️♥️
I love learning new things about computers!!
Super excited!
hi Jaden here
Great live! I always enjoy them alot!
Hi from New Jersey! I’m excited for this live
happy wednesday!!
Dr billings is very funny!!!
It’s so amazing how much we as people don’t know until it’s brought to our attention, I love learning all this new information!
hello from trinidad
hello im am from florida!!!!!
Happy Wednesday from CT!
my fav subject is social studies. I also love the lives! Keep doing what you are doing :]
hello from florida
how loves acellus i doo!!
I loved learning about Ethernet I use a Ethernet cable for my computer and it is awesome
I loved today’s live !!!!
Super educational