IBM 2920 – Token Ring Adapter

Detailed Description:

The IBM 2920 Token Ring Adapter represents a piece of networking history, enabling computers to connect to a Token Ring network. Token Ring, a LAN (Local Area Network) technology, was widely used in corporate environments before the advent of Ethernet dominance. It operates by passing a token around the network nodes, allowing only the holder of the token to send data. This method reduces collisions and ensures a high degree of network reliability and efficiency, especially in environments with high traffic. The IBM 2920 adapter provided a way for legacy systems to participate in this type of network, offering compatibility with various IBM and non-IBM systems. While modern networks have largely moved away from Token Ring, the IBM 2920 Adapter remains a testament to the innovative approaches to early network design and implementation.