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.
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This was cool! Do packets follow rules?
Very cool topics!
This was fun! Can packets go the wrong way?
Alexander Graham Bell invented the Cat5.
Category 5 also known as (Cat5) has four different types of cords twisted together. They also switched it to a star shaped cable.
This made me curious! Is networking hard?
Was the Ethernet cable a old version of cable back then
I found this interesting! How do packets know where to go?
I can’t live without these lives it makes me feel so much smarter.
This was amazing! How long did it take?
Watching from SE Missouri. I can’t believe I forgot to watch it Wednesday.
This was so fun! Can we try this at home?
Great Science Live! i loved learning about the early Ethernet!
This was interesting! Do all computers use packets?
My older siblings when they were in trouble, mom would take away their Ethernet cable.
great subject this week
I liked this part! Are packets big or small?
Great video this week!
I was curious! Can we see a packet?
How he made the concept of the job more efficient with all the individual wires coming in to stop the congestion again basically created the internet foundations we know today. Really interesting.
This was so cool! Do collisions slow things down?
Great video this week!
It made me think! Is a collision like a crash?
Love the live! Thank you for the education 🙂
what good live💽✌️
This was fun to watch! What happens if packets crash?
I look forward to watching these!!!
I watched artemis launch
bro the protégés are the best 😂👻❤️
I liked the examples! Can packets get lost?
I learned a lot about the ethernet and how it was invented. It went through many problems like collisions between data packets that were sent at the same time. I was really hoping to hear more about the Artemis II astronauts and their mission around the moon that just concluded this week. Maybe next Science Live will have more on that accomplishment.
This was amazing! Where do packets go?
This is always so fun to watch!
This was cool! How do computers send packets?
so cool to hear about the etheret
Hello from Oregon!
I learned something new thanks!
I love Acellus.
I learned something new! Do packets carry pictures?
The ethernet stops collisions and makes the computers what they are today
It was interesting! What is inside a packet?
I liked this lesson! Is a packet like a box?
Amazing the solution tot he collision problem !
This video was fun! What is a packet?
I learned a lot today
Love this live videos !
I love these educational videos.
I liked hearing about the Ethernet!! Thank you so much Science Live for these interesting, fun new videos!
Hello from New Jersey!
Learning about the Ethernet was neat!
Loved hearing about the hypothesis.
Love this science live this week!
My favorite part is how Dr Billings and Dr Pajet balance each other
I am glad to be able to watch this. It’s interesting to learn more and find more information of science when you research.
Didn’t know that about the development of ethernet cables.
Science live was amazing this week!!
Great episode this week! so cool
Comment I really thought this weeks lesson was really informative and liked the photos showing transceivers up close.
This is super cool and I loved learning about this.
I watched the launch and it was super cool. We just took spring break and we went to DC to the Air and Space Museum. I cant wait to go back.
I love the science live videos.
Always love learning with science live!
does ethernet have to do with internet?
its so interesting how you can solve the collision problems
Amazing video! This week was such an interesting video!
The vampire tap seems like such an interesting way leading up to the ethernet.
This was so interesting! Can’t wait for next week
Science live is always so interesting!
I LOVE SCIENCE LIVE!!!!!!!! (I also love watching the protogees their so fun to watch)
Thank you everyone! So many cool facts i cant get anywhere else!
Why are we looking for R51 when we are looking at him?
I was literally wondering what an Ethernet cord was earlier today thanks
Thank you for Science LIve this week!
Thanks for the lesson today. I like watching these
Great Science live this week.
These are the best videos!
Learning about the ethernet was super interesting.
We found R51 he is trying to put a bird in a tree with his new invention.
I love science live
This week’s episode was awesome!
Comment i loved when you talked about hypothesis and theories your so smart and awesome
Always looking forward to science live!!!
Thanks for another awesome Science Live
Great video informative
Great Science Live this week, thank you!
I love science live videos!
So cool! I love science live videos
I wish there was a Science Live about hunting haha
And I love the Science Lives’.😀
i love science liveeeeeeeeeeeeee
i love the live
It was amazing watching this and how you solved the collision problem
I love there is always something new to talk about every week.
hypothesis and theories are so interesting and I hop we can learn more on it
Science interesting this week
Very cool learning that when we discover something there’s always more to discover with hypothesis and theories.
Tuning in from South Dakota!
The way people invent and expand upon things will never cease to amaze me.
This video was extremely interesting, it truly brightened my horizons on how Ethernet worked
Dr. Roger Billings is an inspiration.
The ethernet is so cool!
I love the way Science lives are so informational.
I love the way Science lives are so informational.
It was so cool to hear about the Ethernet.
HI from maine
a billion bits per second?! whoa. science is to dare!
Sending an email through the phone sounds like a lot of work
I loved learning about hypothesis and theories and how to find the problem. You are so smart.
I loved this live see you next week 😄!
Artemis 2 is so cool, Signing in from IL
Ethernet has come so far from the 2 megabit network it once was. It really turned out well
im am so grateful for science live, but I’m even more grateful for Acellus. Acellus makes learning so much easier than any program I have tried before this.
Another great week of science live.
It was nice to learn about the ethernet and what it contributes to modern day society , great video
I learned how early Ethernet had problems with data collisions and how scientists figured out a way to manage them so the internet could work faster and better.
Hi guys! Loved learning about the Ethernet! At first, I didn’t know what it was and I was a little confused, but then after the proteges explained it I got it and it was pretty cool! I’ll be on the lookout for R-51 😉 See you guys next week!
YES, I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON INFORMATION ABOUT COAX CABLES FOR FOREVER, also can you guys please make a Science Live on just a focus on coaxial, it would mean the world to me?
Coaxial cables—often called coax—are specialized electrical cables engineered to transmit high‑frequency signals with minimal interference. Their design is deceptively simple yet remarkably effective, which is why they’ve remained relevant for more than a century. At their core, coaxial cables are all about maintaining signal integrity, shielding against noise, and delivering consistent performance across long distances…
A question about R-51… Couldn’t you track down him by his frequency (I don’t know the proper spelling), radio waves? I mean if I am understanding the whole computer thing. If you guys can put data into his system, there is a way to undo it. I really don’t know how to say it.
You’re right, Shyann — tracking him should be simple… if only he weren’t so good at reprogramming himself.
Hello from Costa Rica ! i have never heard of Ethernet. science live makes learning fun!
The aliens are proof that Pajet isn’t from Earth!!
So cool and interesting i love this science ♥️
Great lesson! Watching science live is always my favorite and will always be looking forward to it
Signing in from Florida.
NICE JOB Dr Billings!
Hi from North Carolina!
I use ethernet all the time! very useful for faster internet speeds !
Learning about the Ethernet was such a cool history and science lesson 🙂
I cant wait to learn about the collision that crippled ethernet and how they solved it!
One thing I liked in todays video was learning about the internet and how it works. I also learned that Ron Crane was working to make the internet better for people to be able to use.
I love when r51 showed up at the end of science live!
Science Live is always intresting. Watching the Artemis II”s trip is so cool to be history in the making. Learning about the Ethernet and how it passes data across networks is so intresting.
i loved the FIFO and how it works.
I really love watching the science live show.
Love the continuation of the segmented video structure, it was also really fun to learn more about the recent Artemis 2 launch.
Mr. Billing’s stories are very interesting!! I love Science Live.
I will never get tired of the history of science!
How do they know we’re watching??
Good question Jhett! Make sure you’re logged into your account when you watch Science Live. If you are, you will see your Acellus ID above the comment section. Your parents can also view your attendance: Checking Science Live Attendance
Science Live is one of my favorite parts of my week!
Mr.Billings is such a creative person!
I think I seen r-51 on the west coast? He was fishing and eating a fish sandwich.
Just wait — he’ll tell you he invented that sandwich. 😂 🥪
I look forward to Science Live every week!
Today I have learned that without the Ethernet, the Internet would pretty much be NOTHING and that your greatest inventions are under your worst problems.
Lesson learned today, when you go for it, go for gold
I am so grateful to be a part of this school
My dad thinks ethernet and hard-wired is still better than internet and wi-fi.
Up bright and early today! Morning!
This science live was so cool I also loved the launch of the Artemis 2! I always love learning more every single time you guys drop a new episode.
Science has opened so many doors! Im excited to see what comes next!
Thank you for spending your time with us every week, Dr. Billings. I always walk away from science live knowing more about interesting things.
I would actually like a Science Live about fishing, ha ha ha ha.
I’m following the Artemis II mission closely. I’ve been watching NASA’s live streams.
Your wish is granted Linus! 🎣 Check out the following:
🎬 How Fishing Helped Edison
🎬 The Science of Fishing
I love the stories told by Mr billings
”Let us know.” 😆 I love science live, makes me look forward to every Wednesday.
Glad to hear it Aubrey! Thanks for tuning in 😌
I loved this live very entertaining!
todays live was very interesting!
Woah what an amazing live!! Thank you!!
Great video this week! I love science
i loveee science lives
Thank you for Acellus Can’t wait for next week!!
hey from tn
Thank you Dr. Billings for all the science information!
-Toni from Glacier National Park
In the old days, if you have 3 computers, one on the left side, and two computers on the right side, would the right side overpower the left side or would it still crash into eachother?
Amazing live like always, it’s so incredible to see how we as humans and our inventions evolved throughout time.
Hi from Louisiana I love science live and acellus to.
I love science live!
Thank you for the video!
So interesting! I’m learning a lot!
I love this activity, thank you.
Hi from Texas
Love this live!!
We use an ethernet cord on our television
this makes me want to learn more about science!
Hi from IL
I saw r-51 just the other day in Alberta Canada! He looked like he was having fun.
This live was very interesting but I loved it!!
Awesome-sauce! I love science live
I love the way the protégés use the meme sounds
the artemis 2 is so cool!
Science live is so cool!
That was very cool to learn about
Science live is always so interesting!
I loved this live top 5 favorites for sure
“It’s interesting to think about how much slower and less reliable networks would be without this solution.”
I love Acellus so much!
Hello from
Phoenix Arizona !
Its very interesting how you guys solved this problem! Great Science Live!
Today’s Science Live is so interesting!
i like R51 and DrB
I enjoyed this live alot, watching from montana.
Vampire tap, great name! 😆
Very interesting episode!
Will be on the look out for R51 😊
Waching from Katy Texas