Technically U

How CSMA/CD Prevented Networking Chaos


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Welcome to Technically U—the podcast that makes cybersecurity, tech, and innovation easier to understand. Have you ever wondered why your internet “just works” when you plug in an Ethernet cable?

The truth is, it’s not magic—it’s math, engineering, and a brilliant little protocol called CSMA/CD: Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection.

In this episode, we take you back to the late 1970s and early days of Ethernet, where hundreds of computers were all plugged into a single cable.

We break down how CSMA/CD managed the madness, why it mattered, and how it helped build the foundation of modern networking. From binary exponential backoff to collision domains to the rise of full-duplex Ethernet and Wi-Fi’s CSMA/CA, this is the ultimate explainer on the protocol that made reliable communication possible.

💡 Whether you’re a networking student, a tech enthusiast, or just someone who loves understanding the invisible world that powers your internet—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, Amazon Music, and YouTube👉 Subscribe for more episodes on cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and everything in between.

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Technically UBy Technically U