A network can be divided into smaller
units called segments. Each segment uses the Carrier Sense Multiple
Access/ Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) protocol and maintains traffic
between users on the segment. By using segments in a network, less
users/devices are sharing the same 10Mbps when communicating to one
another within the segment. Each segment is considered its own
collision domain. 
This is an example of a segmented
Ethernet network. The entire network has 15 computers (6 file severs
and 9 PCs). Without segmenting the network all 15 devices would need
to share the same 10Mbps bandwidth and would reside in the same
collision domain.
By dividing the network into three
segments, a network manager can decrease network congestion within each
segment. When transmitting data within a segment these five devices
are sharing the 10Mbps bandwidth per segment. 
In a segmented Ethernet LAN data passed
between segments is transmitted on the backbone of the network using a
bridge, switch or router. The backbone network is its own collision
domain and uses CSMA/CD to provide a best effort delivery service
between segments.
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