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 ā 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 ā 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 ā 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 ā how Ethernet came about, how it works, and where it’s headed.

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About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program Ā»



hello thank you for this knowledge. Loves science live.
I love the internet.
Hi from MT
Watching live
Howdy from Texas!
Hello from Oklahoma!
Thank you for this live! See you next time!
Commenthi from Idaho
Hello from New Jersey!!!
What is the difference between the Ethernet and the Internet?
Internet has come a long way, thankfully.
Hello from Tampa/Florida
Itās really interesting to see how ethernet works
Trying to fix all the collisions with the computers on the same wire to make it where all of the computers on different wires. That must have been a lot of try and error to try and perfect it.
How were we able to fix all of those collisions?
If there was a collision the data would smash and be lost would it notify the person trying to send the data to try again and then send it?
Amazing
When they said the signal times were random, I wondered how computers generate random signals?
hi from Texas!
When was the first Ethernet cable invented?
What other cables are used for computers?
Hello from Georgia!
Hello from Missouri. Another awesome Science Live.
Hello Garren, and welcome! We are super excited to have you here with us tonight!
Was Ethernet sent by a cable or or something else.
hey from alabama
my favorite part of the week is back! always looking forward to the new lives
Hi Brynn! We are so excited that you are back to learn more with us!! Thanks for tuning in!
hey from louisianaaa
what is Ethernet?
Hellooooo from texasss
I loved this episode, learning about how networks work is nice
Here from Michigan!!
Hi from PA
thanks for the live!
Hello from Alabama! Love learning about the Ethernet, my moms taking a course in networking so she was watching this episode with me.
Hello to you and your mother! Thank you for tuning in!!
How can you come up with a circuit
Hello from Michigan
hi from missouri!!
yay science live
Itās Kenny from Oregon I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!!
Hello from Mississippi!
Hello from Maryland. Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday.
Hello from Nevada!
Hello from va
hellooo from nc
This episode was cool
Great class, thank you
hello from ID
I like Science LIve
Hello Kassie! We love Science Live! š¬
Hi from Tampa/Florida
Hello from Texas!!
Science live is so cool!
I really enjoy listening to these lessons every week.
Hi Brayden we love having you! Thanks for tuning in!
hello from texas! ;3
I learned so much from this
Hello from ky!
Hi from Virginia!
Hello from vegas
i love these videos
Honestly, the way Ethernet works is really cool to be fully honest.
It really is!
Hello from Maryland!
Hi this is Aurora from NC!
Wow this episode was cool! I did not know about Ethernet or its collisions.
Great message today
Angelina from Florida
hello from Florida
The Proteges are fun!
We love to see what the Proteges have in store for us every week š¬
How does a computer detect a collision that happened far away on the same cable?
If you have too many collisions, will the computers break?
Hello from Red Bud, Illinois!!
Hi I’m from New Miexco
It is neat how the Ethernet works.
So people would have to send it at different times so they both can get the data . Then when it collide then the data can’t send to the other person.
Good evening from the Lonestar state
Hello from Texas!
Hello from Illinois
Who invented the ethernet
Excited to be here!
From Tennessee
Roger Billings Rocks
hello from texas
Like science live so much
Hi from Texas!
Emma and Jack here from NC!
Hello from Illionis, how does the ethernet idea came from?
I really appreciated the talk about Ethernet. How Ron Crane joined Zerox and learned about a project with Bob and David. Their idea about connecting computers together so they can share data and printers. Even though they had issues they did figure out a way. They came up with using a vampire tap. Ron also improved the speed and they got up to 100 computers.
the lives are the best i love watching them
i love the protasheys
Taylor from Texas!
Hi from Nebraska
Is cat 6 faster than cat 5?
How does Ethernet work?
Hello from Houston Texas
Hello from Texas.
ā¤ļø from NC, thank you for sharing
Awesome live!
Happy science live. I wish you all great days.
hi from IN
Cool science live today!
Hello from new jersey
Hi from Maryland
Hello from Louisiana! So happy to see another science live!
Thank you guys!
Hello everybody!
hi from texas
Hello from Texas!
I love the problem solving and the sience about the ethernet
I love these lives!!
Hello from Texas!
I’m so happy to be here .
How can we improve ethernet in the future?
Is this pre-recorded?
Such amazing insight as always!
I did not mean to say that I meant to say the machine was SO COOL
hello from BC
Hi, watching from South Dakota!
what materials did they need to triple the speed?
So grateful for technology and especially the internet!
So exited for today
hi from las vegas
Hi Elise from Texas. Ethernet has come a long way. Way to Go NASA!!
Hello from LA!!!!!!
Doesn’t ethernet plug into a router and if it does how?
How did the idea of clear plastic around the plug come to be instead of the metal like a normal USB type-A or C?
Hello from Gilman City Missouri!
Hello from (TN)
I š science live and i like learning about ethernet
Hello from Illinois! Excited for Science Live tonight!
hi from Texas
Always great information
This is so cool!
Hi from MA!!
Hi from Nc!
Thank you for Science Live!
I like this episode!
Good evening! Lovely day in Georgia!
How many computers can they connect together?
Hello from North Carolina!
Hi from Tx
Hello Mavet! Welcome to Science Live!
Hi from Missouri
Hi from Illinois! I like this live!
I think it is very cool that computers can talk to each other via a cable and know the computers can listen.
hello from hawaii
Hello Cian, welcome!
Same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I never foud someone from Hawaii
Awesome topic about Ethernet!
hello mr.billings
Hi From Texas
Hello from Florida!
i like your hair
Thanks Mr billing for the science live
So cool
Hi from New Mexico
Hi from Texas!
I liked learning about the inside of the ethernet cord.
Hello from Georgia!
This is good video!!!
I think it was an amazing idea by Rodger Billings to fund the most impressive invention made by a student, because in the modern world for inventors getting that funding is close to impossible especially for young inventors of today who almost never get a chance to get their name out there.
Wow this is the basis of the internet, connection
It was interesting hearing how the Ethernet started.
Cant wait!
HI FROM NORTH CAROLINA š
Hi from kingsport
hello from NJ
I learned a lot about the ethernet today!
Amazing live as always love it
Hello from Texas!
hello from MS
Hi from texasss <3
Hello from Indiana
Which is better ethernet or wifi??
always excited to watch a live!!
Hello from Texas
Dr. Billings,
My family started watching science live because I had to leave my school and my mom couldn’t afford the full tuition. At first I wasn’t so excited. But it has become a family event. My big brothers and adults cousins have been coming over to watch it with me and mom and talk about it together. It been really fun and I appreciate you so much for the help.
Hi from texas!
i am glad that you are watching science live you have all of our support on your homeschooling
Hello Derrick, thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us! We are so honored, and grateful that we get to be apart of your family time. Keep up the good work and study hard!
hi from texas
Hello from Chicago!
Hi from Maryland!
I really enjoyed this life science it was very funny and active!
Hello, watching from South Dakota.
I think its so cool how you make learning so much fun! I never thought learning about the ethernet would be fun!
Hello from Nebraska!
Hello, From Az
Hello from Texas