Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 76 Networking Fundamentals connection point. See Figure 2-32 for an example. When a MAU is used, the net- work arrangement resembles a star topology. However, because of the circuitry in the MAU, the network is physically connected as a ring. Each port on the MAU is designed to maintain an electrical ring. Th is can be seen on a close inspection of the MAU in Figure 2-33. Each port located at the MAU is normally closed to ensure the integrity of the ring. When a computer is added by plugging in the network cable, the port opens the normally closed circuit, allowing the added computer to join the ring. A token ring network commonly uses several MAUs. When two or more MAUs exist in the ring, integrity is maintained in the same way as with added computers. MAUs, however, connect through special ports called ring in and ring out. MAU Multiple conductor cable or twisted pair Figure 2-32 Token ring network using twisted-pair cable. When a token ring network uses twisted- pair cabling, it resembles a physical star. (workstation icons) RedlineVector/Shutterstock.com (MAU icon) Vadim Ermak/Shutterstock.com Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Switch opens when cable plugs into the MAU MAU Data flows in a ring Figure 2-33 Basic representation of the electronic circuitry inside a MAU. The MAU is designed to allow a continuous loop of data flow in the token ring topology. Look closely at the way the switches inside the unit are normally closed and then open when a cable plug is inserted. (workstation icons) RedlineVector/Shutterstock.com Goodheart-Willcox Publisher