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 β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” 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 β€œDrB” 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 β€œgive back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.


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

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5,043 Comments

  1. Logan

    It’s cool how you helped out with Ethernet that much.

    Reply
  2. Nathan

    There is not a single live that is not fun and enjoyable. Keep going!

    Reply
  3. Ava

    I love watching these so much

    Reply
  4. Josie

    Watching from Louisiana.

    Reply
  5. Baran

    This science live was a little complicated but thought the vampire tap was interesting!

    Reply
  6. Miriam

    I love science live!

    Reply
  7. Adalynn

    This was a good science live

    Reply
  8. Alawa

    I cant wait for next Wednesday! I love the lives!

    Reply
  9. Maggie

    Love Science live

    Reply
  10. Austin

    This is neat. Austin, Illinois

    Reply
  11. Hudson

    I LOVE YALL

    Reply
  12. Lemmie

    i REALLY! love how you are always talking about hydrogen, Because I love hydrogen.

    Reply
  13. Diana

    This was a good episode.

    Reply
  14. Tanner

    Very Interesting! Thanks for a great video!

    Reply
  15. Josephine

    I’m still in awe over everything that Dr. Billings is involved in. Such a creative, motivated, and intellectual individual. I think we take for granted how fast we are able to get things over the internet. I can’t even imagine what it was like before.

    Reply
  16. Sophie

    Loved the video this week!!

    Reply
  17. Valentina

    Those inventions are very cool.

    Reply
  18. Eva

    I can’t wait for more to come out!

    Reply
  19. Eva

    These videos are amazing

    Reply
  20. Savanna

    The Ethernet is so amazing! I love learning new things from Science Live.

    Reply
  21. Jaxson

    This was very cool

    Reply
  22. Trenton

    I can’t believe Ethernet cables can send so much information. The internet is such a crazy thing to think how data can be sent to so many different computers.

    Reply
  23. Brian

    Yet another masterful Science Live as always, especially when they taught about Ethernet!

    Reply
  24. Audi

    This is awsome implying this can help shape the future.

    Reply
  25. Eleanor

    i love science, it’s my favorite subject! thank you!

    Reply
  26. Kaydan

    You are an insperation

    Reply
  27. Kaydan

    I love acellus Thank you for your great classes.

    Reply
  28. Karla

    This was SO interesting!

    Reply
  29. Paislee

    This episode was so interesting!

    Reply
  30. R`mhani

    Its very interesting to know that they solved the
    problem by making smaller packets come to the hub to replace it with something smarter.

    Reply
  31. Emiliano

    Thank you acellus!!

    Reply
  32. Seraphina

    It was interesting to learn how Dr. Roger Billings solved the β€˜collision’ problem in networking. Great Episode.

    Reply
  33. Gavin

    Thanks for the live can’t wait for the next!

    Reply
  34. Logan

    I liked learning about Ethernet

    Reply
  35. Joshua

    I like the idea of a scholarship program.

    Reply
  36. Mia

    I’m going to look into the scholarship program because two of our family members attend school at Acellus.

    Reply
  37. Hee-jeong

    I’m really glad ethernet works faster and better now

    Reply
  38. Alivia

    So glad yall have found a solution!

    Reply
  39. Gus

    For the hydrogen all you need to use is a vacuum chamber that should minimize the weight but it should be able to keep it like in a container I think

    Reply
  40. Kyser

    watching from Murfreesboro TN

    Reply
  41. Chloe

    The information about the Handshake between computers sending and receiving information was very valuable. The ethernet cable is also so valuable. How the problems were solved is interesting, knowing that a twisted cable was used that Alexander Bell used and created is also interesting.

    Reply
  42. Lily

    So that’s how we send data or files and talk to each other using an Ethernet, to talk back and forth.

    Reply
  43. Mikaela

    Again, another great episode!

    Reply
  44. Lilly

    these videos are the best!

    Reply
  45. Blake

    Loved this episode and the part with Tobias! as usual

    Reply
  46. Parker

    Loved learning about Ethernet. my dads job is a network engineer so now i understand better what he does.

    Reply
  47. Jack

    This is so cool to me!!!!

    Reply
  48. Molly

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us in every single episode! I have been loving my Acellus journey!

    Reply
  49. Beckham

    I love Dr. Pajet Monet she is so lovely.

    Reply
  50. Aaron

    The history was super informative

    Reply
  51. Josiah

    Ethernet is really interesting to learn about

    Reply
  52. Colton

    I love science expecialy when its fun!!

    Reply
  53. Reyna

    I love that Dr. Billings would invest in an idea that he likes. Loved this episode.

    Reply
  54. Jace

    this is awesome

    Reply
  55. Egor

    Hi from Connecticut

    Reply
  56. Elliana

    This was a great video! I can’t wait to watch the next one!

    Reply
  57. Maximus

    Thank you for this science live! I loved learning about how you solved collisions. Also, I hope R-51 doesn’t get into too much trouble…

    Reply
  58. Noel

    Did you know that if you put an egg in vinegar it becomes bouncy?

    Reply
  59. Isabella

    It is so awesome that the director of Acellus is a famous inventioneer\ scientist!!

    Reply
  60. Cameron

    Brilliant to solve the collision issue!

    Reply
  61. Olivia

    Woah this is really cool and interesting

    Reply
  62. Sivan

    I really liked learning about the history of the internet!

    Reply
  63. Damian

    I love that everytime I tune in I learn something new, I really think there isn’t one video I watched that I already knew the answers too XD. Great video!!

    Reply
  64. Ayva

    Watching from Ohio!!!!

    Reply
  65. Arianna

    I love Science Live!

    Reply
  66. Mercedes

    I really enjoyed the video about Ethernet so fantastic!

    Reply
  67. Nicole

    Switching saved Ethernet by turning a chaotic shouting match into an organized conversation.

    Reply
  68. Lillian

    This is all so interesting to learn about! I’m so glad you make these videos for us!

    Reply
  69. Flora

    This week on Science Live, Dr. John really helped me understand FIFO and how the networks on a computer don’t collide. I never knew there were so many things happening in a computer all at once! Technology and Science are so awesome!

    Reply
  70. Bowie

    Learning about Ethernet and the way computers talk to each other is so amazing. The packet and the MAC address helped me to understand how this works. Thanks Science Live!

    Reply
  71. Liam

    My favorite is always watching the breakthrough moments in Science with Tobias. He always connects so many interesting ideas in science and history in fun and fascinating ways.

    Reply
  72. Emma

    It was really interesting learning how data collisions affected early networks and how they were solved!

    Reply
  73. Declan

    Science News about Nasa and the Artemis mission is so cool. Its amazing that the astronauts will plan a mission to the moon in 2028.

    Reply
  74. Kamden

    That is wonderful you are going to review the inventions and potentially invest in them. Thank you for helping shape the future!

    Reply
  75. Harper

    Science live is awesome.

    Reply
  76. Ryan

    Computers and technology have come a long way. The future of technology is going to be very interesting.

    Reply
  77. Jayda

    Ethernet is so cool how it works

    Reply
  78. Serenity

    I could play that dino game all day though

    Reply
  79. Estelle

    I just love R-51! He makes every video so much funnier.

    Reply
  80. Payton

    This was one of my favorite videos so far!! Thank you Roger Billings!

    Reply
  81. Owen

    I love acellus

    Reply
  82. Matthew

    I enjoy learning about ethernet

    Reply
  83. Jacen

    Never knew ethernet was so cool!

    Reply
  84. Corinne

    I really enjoyed listening about the plane mission.

    Reply
  85. Jibril

    Hello from Virginia!

    Reply
  86. Kayla

    Hello from Charlotte! It is a pleasure to attend such a grand and luxurious school such as Acellus Academy. Before I came into Acellus, I struggled drastically with my studies, often falling behind in my class and receiving bad marks on assignments. After nine draining years of school, my family offered to enroll me into Acellus, as an alternative to the traditional public school setting. At first, I was on the fence about online school, as when the pandemic occured, I couldn’t get that one-on-one instruction that I needed. However, I gave in and gave Acellus a chance. Best believe those feelings of anxiousness and worry quickly subsided when I learned at my own pace, got more sleep, and didn’t have to deal with all of the extra distractions that I previously put up with.
    My brother is about to graduate, and I am about to start my senior year of high school. This time I’ve been spending at Acellus has not come short of amazing.
    Once again. thank you Dr. Roger Billings for creating this blessing for many families in need of a better education.
    Love, Kayla

    Reply
  87. Avery

    Another awesome science live! staying tuned in!

    Reply
  88. Alana

    Loved hearing the history of the Ethernet

    Reply
  89. Cutter

    I really enjoyed this episode. I didn’t know much about the ethernet. Very interesting!

    Reply
  90. Gabi

    Wow! this was so interesting can’t wait for the next onee!

    Reply
  91. Kerialys

    Hi from El Paso Texas.

    Reply
  92. Baleigh

    Acellus offers such good teaching solution.

    Reply
  93. Ellie

    I am learning so much!

    Reply
  94. Ian

    Liked this episode!

    Reply
  95. Brody

    It is so fun to learn more about Ethernet. I have personally used a Ethernet cable with a internet router box and it most definitely made the internet a lot faster and more responsive.

    Reply
  96. Olivia

    Thank you for the information about the National Cyber school. We will definitely look into that!

    Reply
  97. Gwen

    The scholarship program looks cool

    Reply
  98. Sam

    I had no idea NASA shot another rocket into space. So cool!

    Reply
  99. Tucker

    I like R-51

    Reply
  100. Jakub

    Thank you for another Science Live Doctor Billings!

    Reply
  101. Vincent

    We watched the landing of the spaceship. It was so exciting!

    Reply
  102. Benjamin

    A great episode! Ethernet is really amazing!

    Reply
  103. Braydon

    I use ethernet all the time, thank you for investing into a problem that i didnt even realize existed

    Reply
  104. Ahlam

    I wish you could solve traffic on the highway like Ethernet collisions.

    Reply
  105. Alexis

    The Ethernet is very fascinating, especially the information surrounding it.

    Reply
  106. Alexi

    Great information on the history of the Ethernet!

    Reply
  107. Alexandra

    SO excited for this live!! Im looking forward to next week’s as well!!

    Reply
  108. Annelore

    I never knew what the Ethernet was. Just knew about the internet

    Reply
  109. Addyson

    Science live is awesome and I always count myself lucky to be able to be a part of the tuition program.

    Reply
  110. Rialynn

    Its amazing how your able to decode stuff like this

    Reply
  111. Weston

    I really liked how you solved the problem with the E-thernet

    Reply
  112. Weston

    I liked how Funny R-51 is.
    I love the whole thing about Ethernet.

    Reply
  113. Levi

    R51xD CANT WAIT

    Reply
  114. Annalise

    Awesome information!! Acellus is the greatest learning tool I’ve ever had.

    Reply
  115. Amelia

    Gasp! its just like that question ” if two trains were headed…” YOU ANSWERD IT!

    Reply
  116. Zoe

    R51 is so funny, I can’t wait to see him next time on Science Live

    Reply
  117. Christian

    The Ethernet I think is what really helps with modern day printers as an example printing from multiple devices at once.

    Reply
  118. Jimmy

    This is one my favorite Roger billings video’s yet!

    Reply
  119. Bethany

    “Find the problems in life and fix them, and when you do-you will be an inventioneer!” I love that!

    Reply
  120. Emmitt

    Love that people are solving problems for things that make daily life easier. Can’t wait for the next episode.

    Reply
  121. Lyla

    Inventors are amazing. They think of things others don’t

    Reply
  122. Avonlea

    I’ve never heard of Ethernet until I watched this video. Super cool!!

    Reply
  123. Jacob

    I am enjoying watching the science lives. They are really interesting.

    Reply
  124. Elizabeth

    Helping pay for schooling for Acellus is really helpful for many students

    Reply
  125. Julian

    Neat story.

    Reply
  126. Juleymie

    Ethernet is a hard thing to learn, but you guys made it easier for me. Thank you

    Reply
  127. Bryson

    I learned that when too many signals try and use Ethernet at the same time, they can collide and cause problems.

    Reply
  128. Ariah

    Amazing Science Live! I loved it!

    Reply
  129. Navii

    This was so amazing!!

    Reply
  130. Landon

    landon from texas i found this really intresting and i really learned a lot!

    Reply
  131. Serenity

    Thank you, it was fun learning about the ethernet cables.

    Reply
  132. Wesley

    another great class

    Reply
  133. Miah

    this was very insightful

    Reply
  134. Dominick

    I looked it up google says last time a human landed on the moon was December 1972

    Reply
  135. Jacly

    loved the live!

    Reply
  136. Bella

    Awesome episode!

    Reply
  137. Asher

    this is really cool bill

    Reply
  138. Jayden

    It’s awesome you may be investing in future inventions! A good way to make sure science progresses

    And the scholarship looks interesting

    Reply
  139. Jacoby

    I liked learning about the Ethernet.

    Reply
  140. Silas

    I cant wait for the science fair! I might join next year to help acellus!

    Reply
  141. Winter

    I watch with my family and we thought it was funny you showed the dino game. We play it.

    Reply
  142. Victoria

    Is there anything coming in 2027?

    Reply
  143. Grace

    I enjoyed this episode.

    Reply
  144. Elizabeth

    It was cool to see how Ethernet works!

    Reply
  145. Bryleigh

    This new scholarship ideas sounds interesting and the Ethernet is amazing to learn about!

    Reply
  146. Bethany

    I love Science Live! So many new things to learn, can’t wait for the next one!

    Reply
  147. Kenleigh

    That is so wonderful I love the videos w

    Reply
  148. Haven

    These videos are so interesting!

    Reply
  149. Temperance

    It is exciting that NASA is planning a mission to the moon for 2028! I think it is cool how FIFO works and how the chips inside were made to work. Did they win the game R-51? Get back to Science Live R-51! πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

    Reply
  150. Cameron

    Ethernet is so fascinating! Great episode!

    Reply
  151. Benjamin

    These lecture was so awesome.

    Reply
  152. Kamiya

    Can’t wait for the next science live !

    Reply
  153. Tessa

    I love science live!

    Reply
  154. Xavier

    love the show so funny

    Reply
  155. Kirsty

    We were just talking about the launch to space.

    Reply
  156. Jaxsen

    National Cyber School would help my family!

    Reply
  157. Matthew

    Love the ethernet. Great video science live!

    Reply
  158. Tyler

    Looking forward to watching today!

    Reply
  159. Julia

    Wow its a good thing collisions are not a thing anymore! loved this live

    Reply
  160. Brinlee

    This was an amazing video thank you

    Reply
  161. Javarus

    Thank you for another science live.

    Reply
  162. Zian

    I wish traffic could be solved like the Ethernet.

    Reply
  163. Everette

    I have never heard of Ethernet collisions before.

    Reply
  164. Carter

    The ethernet was fun!

    Reply
  165. Melody

    Awesome inventions! Congrats to everyone

    Reply
  166. Roselyn

    Great Science Live!

    Reply
  167. Willow

    It is awesome how Dr. Billings was able to solve the collision problem with the ethernet. R-51 go to NASA and fly off to space with the astronauts and make a stop at Pajet’s Planet! πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

    Reply
  168. Noah

    Thank you for this week! Can’t wait to log in next week!

    Reply
  169. Grayson

    This was a very interesting episode

    Reply
  170. Damien

    BTW I seen the the Artmis 2 launch which was pretty cool and amazing at the same time! o:

    Reply
  171. Aiden

    awsome video cant wait for next weeks

    Reply
  172. Leland

    I really liked learning about the Ethernet.

    Reply
  173. Gianelis

    what is the collision problem?

    Reply
  174. Mateo

    excited for this week

    Reply
  175. Ayla

    I am so glad I got the chance to learn about Ethernet!

    Reply

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