The Collision Problem That Crippled Ethernet (And How We Solved It)

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.

About DrB

Dr. Roger Billings is a visionary innovator whose work has touched the lives of millions of students and transformed the landscape of education. Widely known as “DrB” to the countless kids who benefit from his groundbreaking Acellus learning system, Dr. Billings has dedicated his life to advancing education through technology. As part of DrB’s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to “give back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.


Read more about DrB » 
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »

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5,043 Comments

  1. Aaliyah

    so cool woah!!!

    Reply
  2. Dieson

    Great episode, the Ethernet cable is an epic invention, and the circuit Dr. john and his crew created sounds like an awesome protype to use for collision problems.

    Reply
    • Parker

      Loved watching! The Ethernet cable was a great invention that has made an impact on technology. I am glad technology is better and faster than years ago. Thank you for all the great info!

      Reply
  3. Trey

    Ethernet nice 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jonah

    this is so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  5. Luna

    Love to see it !!!!

    Reply
  6. Caleb

    Technology has improved over the years. The way the Sciencist has improved since Ethernet.

    Reply
  7. Cayden

    i love playing games on the computer so all the technology that started with the Ethernet makes my day

    Reply
  8. Kynlee

    I’m curious how many of the boards had to be soldered by hand back then.

    Reply
  9. Zeshawn

    This was very interesting, I had never heard of ethernet until now.

    Reply
    • Barry

      Amazing episode!

      Reply
  10. Kayden

    Hi from ms!

    Reply
  11. Ronin

    Thanks for this!

    Reply
  12. Giovanni

    I liked learning about internet is all around the world

    Reply
  13. Gavyn

    Hello from GA

    Reply
  14. Jaxsyn

    I am so glad that they found away to make everything much faster then what it is back in the old days.

    Reply
  15. Paris

    I love Science live!

    Reply
  16. Gavyn

    Hello from GA

    Reply
  17. Raylon

    The Ethernet is awesome and this science live is awesome!

    Reply
  18. Jordan

    loved this science live

    Reply
  19. Idamei

    whoa…that’s cool.

    Reply
  20. Avi

    I recognized that dinosour jump, no internet game sound!!!

    Reply
  21. Joshua

    hello from Texas

    Reply
  22. Tucker

    Watching from Texas!

    Reply
  23. Johnny

    Hello from Texas

    Reply
  24. Lily

    Awesome video! I never knew what the ethernet was, outsides of a computer term, and this improved my understanding. Can’t wait for the next one!

    Reply
  25. Jacob

    I love science live!

    Reply
  26. Cally

    This was a great live today!

    Reply
  27. Maria

    i love these lives!

    Reply
  28. Kaiyson

    I love this week science live because we all learned about ethernet!!👍

    Reply
  29. Kain

    Cyber security sounds so cool! I hope you offer it one day!

    Reply
  30. Keanu

    The internet was probably one of the best inventions ever made!

    Reply
  31. Ester

    This was a fun science live!

    Reply
  32. Braylon

    It’s interesting that it’s showing us each step of how the computer talks to others computers and what happens if something different than just computers talking, for example if the cable of the computer cuts and then it’s off!

    Reply
  33. Emilee

    This is cool!

    Reply
  34. Kaitlynn

    The part about the ethernet was very interesting, science live was amazing this week.

    Reply
  35. Aiden

    Maybe r-51 will come to Maryland

    Reply
  36. Sophia

    loved it☀️

    Reply
  37. Abel

    Hello from Mississippi

    Reply
  38. Walter

    when will technology reach the point when it cant progress any further or is it just infinitely going to advance as time goes on.

    Reply
  39. Nataly

    Very interesting live!!!!

    Reply
  40. Eric

    Wow! It’s amazing to see how the internet started from a few computers trying to talk to each other.

    Reply
  41. Yoxelin

    Hi from Texas!

    Reply
  42. Katelyn

    Loved learning more about the different types of Ethernets.

    Reply
  43. Renae

    hello from montana!

    Reply
  44. Zaccariah

    wonderful new episode!

    Reply
  45. Cale

    Hello from Florida

    Reply
  46. Gavin

    Amazing live tonight. Can’t wait for next week.

    Reply
  47. Jacob

    Hello, my name is Jacob. I especially liked the part about the creation of the ethernet, because of how it worked. Anyway, thank you for the knowledge.

    Reply
  48. Kenleigh

    had a great time this episode.

    Reply
  49. Natalia

    Love this science live!

    Reply
  50. Aksel

    Hello from Montana, this science l!ve is very great and I enjoy Acellus home school when they make an science l!ve.

    Reply
    • Jesslyn

      I love this live great science live

      Reply
  51. Kaydence

    it’s not easy to understand but it’s amazing stuff

    Reply
  52. Liam

    Good first science live.

    Reply
  53. Isabella

    Hello from Texas also I loved this live.

    Reply
  54. Aiden

    Good science live tonight!

    Reply
  55. Gracelynn

    Hi from indiana

    Reply
  56. Laynee

    Love watching Science Live every week!

    Reply
  57. Matthais

    Keep it up science live!

    Reply
  58. Addison

    I love science live

    Reply
  59. Lacen

    loll i thought my computer actually stopped working for a second

    Reply
  60. Aten

    Hello from Missouri.

    Reply
  61. Elian

    how did Ethernet get popular

    Reply
  62. Vincent

    i liked learning about ethernet.

    Reply
  63. Elsa

    Hey from WA!

    Reply
  64. Monte

    Hey Science Live!

    Reply
  65. Nova

    so cool. I wish it was like every day.

    Reply
  66. Lily

    Hi from Alabama !!!!

    Reply
  67. Cooper

    I thought the rocket launch was really cool I watched it with my sister and my nana.

    Reply
  68. Lenora

    Hi from Texas!

    Reply
  69. Julia

    Ethernet sounds very cool!

    Reply
  70. Hayden

    1 thing i love about ethernet today is how it feels like you have your very own gateway. Imagine living in a family of 5, your wifi can get very slow sometimes but with ethernet its all fixed. It’s pretty much like stealing all the energy for yourself from 1 gateway while the other family members all share 1.

    Reply
  71. Alicianna

    science is awesome

    Reply
  72. Senay

    Hello from Georgia!

    Reply
  73. Leah

    these videos are always so entertaining!

    Reply
  74. Erynn

    The progress they made sounds like they climbed mountains. Very thankful to those who had the vision and put that vision into motion.

    Reply
  75. Layla

    Great live!!

    Reply
  76. Evangeline

    Hello from NC

    Reply
  77. Hunter

    Hi from Alabama!

    Reply
  78. Priscilla

    I really liked science live tonight!

    Reply
  79. Michael

    This is very cool, I loved it!

    Reply
  80. Rosemary

    Hi from Arkansas!

    Reply
  81. Carl

    Can’t wait to hear the rest next week.

    Reply
  82. Rebekah

    Hello from KY! Loved watching yet another informing and entertaining episode! Thank ya’ll always!

    Reply
  83. Aishlin

    Hello from Georgia!

    Reply
  84. Brock

    I love science live

    Reply
  85. Jeremiah

    I am looking forward to coming to Acellus world.

    Reply
  86. Ava

    science is the best

    Reply
  87. Mateo

    Amazing video as always!

    Reply
  88. Peyton

    Hello from NC!

    Reply
  89. Alexander

    Wow its so cool!!!

    Reply
  90. Skylar

    hi from mt!!! cant wait to see more of this!!! 😀

    Reply
  91. Kinley

    Love the video!

    Reply
  92. Aria

    I just plugged one of those cables into our wifi today!

    Reply
  93. Kangyoon

    It was interesting to see it

    Reply
  94. Bryden

    This was another great Science Live, thank you so much.

    Reply
  95. Sally

    I watched the spaceship launch with my brother and nana. It was so cool.

    Reply
  96. Landon

    I liked the idea of the concentrator that prevented collisions by holding them in the hub.Very interesting.

    Reply
  97. Ethan

    I’m so greatful for this program.

    Reply
  98. Nili

    I love Science Live!

    Reply
  99. Daniel

    Amazing live tonight!

    Reply
  100. Haddiah

    Hello from Mississppi!! Great sciencelive!

    Reply
  101. Alexis

    I love Acellus

    Reply
  102. Riley

    Very cool! Hello from WV!

    Reply
  103. Jacob

    love science live!!!!

    Reply
  104. Liam

    This science live was amazing!

    Reply
  105. Rafael

    This was an amazing science live today!

    Reply
  106. Rylee

    Hi! It’s Rylee from Tennessee.

    Reply
  107. Zaira

    Ethernet is very powerful!

    Reply
  108. Gavin

    Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  109. Jaslene-

    This week’s video was very interesting!

    Reply
  110. Wyatt

    I learned that their is a thing called a vampire tap that would puncture into coax cables.

    Reply
  111. Bradyn

    So cool! Great Science Live tonight!

    Reply
  112. Cecilia

    I really enjoy hearing the stories of Mr. Billings inventions and how he’s worked with other people, like Ron Crane, to create the technology that we use every day.

    Reply
    • Trenton

      I love science live

      Reply
  113. Sydni

    i enjoy how immeresed you all are about educating and informing during these lives!

    Reply
  114. Ryan

    This live was really good this week!

    Reply
  115. Liloh

    Hello from Texas!

    Reply
  116. Hayden

    Wow I can’t believe all the stuff that goes into networking tech

    Reply
  117. Harper

    this was very cool to watch!!

    Reply
  118. Cayson

    Hello from GA the Ethernet is super cool

    Reply
  119. Kayln

    i love science its so cool an the things yall do!

    Reply
  120. Emery

    This science live was really awesome !!

    Reply
  121. Rylan

    Hello from Texas.

    Reply
  122. Oliver

    Great episode I learned a lot!

    Reply
  123. Aaron

    Great science live episode!

    Reply
  124. Riley

    I love the ethernet!

    Reply
  125. Ashlyn

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
  126. Adrian

    The history of the Internet will never cease to impress me, thank you for the live! Question, who first discovered that we could use this tech?

    Reply
  127. Annabella

    Another cool video i learned alot!!!!

    Reply
  128. Kaci

    I love watching this live it is so interesting.

    Reply
  129. Tyler

    What are the maximum graphics that a super computer can handle?

    Reply
  130. Micah

    Ethernet changed the U.S.A. because of Ron Crane.

    Reply
  131. Ava

    Networking is super important in today’s world. Good live today!

    Reply
  132. Victoria

    Awesome science live! I love science!

    Reply
  133. Mason

    Hi from Tennessee

    Reply
  134. Yasin

    No way, what’s R-51 doing there?

    Reply
  135. Hayley

    Hello from NC

    Reply
  136. Westin

    Hello from Texas!

    Reply
  137. Tristan

    Afternoon from maryland!!

    Reply
  138. Gracey

    I learned about how far technology has come

    Reply
  139. Abby

    Loved the live can’t wait for next week

    Reply
  140. Naelin

    Cool video, I liked learning about Ethernet the most!

    Reply
  141. Aiden

    Maybe R51 will come to Maryland

    Reply
  142. Verity

    Happy to be watching

    Reply
  143. Lawrence

    Wow! Ethernets are useful

    Reply
  144. Mallory

    Watching from Texas, this is so interesting!

    Reply
  145. Hope

    I know he wouldn’t want you to mess with his creation, but, wouldn’t he want to expand his creation. So it was better?

    Reply
  146. Kaibayer

    Ethernet is great!!!

    Reply
  147. Thomas

    I like the vampire teeth that go in the cable.🧛🧛🧛

    Reply
  148. Lilliann

    hello from NC

    Reply
  149. Edward

    What a fun live!!!

    Reply
  150. W.

    Watching Nasa this week has been awesome! Being alive to see this advancement is exciting.

    Reply
  151. Emma

    This Science Live was so cool!

    Reply
  152. Levi

    I hope R51 is in the next episode.

    Reply
  153. Loveah

    the gigabit thing was so cool!!

    Reply
  154. Tegan

    that’s interesting . you should talk more about Nasa.

    Reply
  155. Taejack

    The source MAC address is like signing your name.

    The ether type tells the person that your sending the package to, is what date is in the packet.

    Reply
  156. Adaline

    Thanks for the video.

    Reply
  157. Colton

    This is awesome!

    Reply
  158. Ezra

    Hey from Louisiana.

    Reply
  159. Aaliyah

    hii from nc!

    Reply
  160. Lauren

    Great video as usual

    Reply
  161. Kelvin

    Thanks for science live.

    Reply
  162. Benjamin

    Thank you for explaining ethernet. This was my first science live.

    Reply
  163. Damian

    Hey hey from TX!

    Reply
  164. Makenzie

    This was really awesome!

    Reply
  165. Timothy

    I did not know that computers can talk to each other.

    Reply
  166. Charlie

    the internet is so interesting!

    Reply
  167. Christany

    Thank you it was a great video.

    Reply
  168. Flynn

    This is interesting.

    Reply
  169. Peyton

    great video! looking forward to the next one.!!

    Reply
  170. Kathryn

    Hello from Ohio!

    Reply
  171. Victor

    I loved what I learned today u need to learn more to get good at it and have more fun

    Reply
  172. Marlonna

    Ethernet is the reason why i am watching this live video lag free and securely!

    Reply
  173. Eric

    What would happen if one of the cords inside the Enthenet break will all the computer shut down?

    Reply
  174. Journey

    Enjoyed the live!!!

    Reply
  175. An

    I love Science Live!!!

    Reply

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