A bit of additional information. NetBEUI, which was originally part of a unified NETBIOS, before the latter became what remained after the API separated out du

A bit of additional information. NetBEUI, which was originally part of a unified NETBIOS, before the latter became what remained after the API separated out due to the rise of routed networks was an IBM invention. NetBEUI wasn't dependant on Ethernet, and in the late 80s ARCNET was quite popular because it was cheaper and more reliable than coax based Ethernet, especially with thinnet T adapters. Tokenring is closer IBMs response to the DIX consortium getting the ISO to adopt Ethernet as a standard, trying to maintain the domonice they had with SNA. By the time windows 95 was released, inexpensive twisted pair Ethernet was quite popular. But when that physical layer market was developing LAN segment communications were the main drivers. Novell releasing low cost ne2000 cards had a lot to do with Ethernet winning out in systems that were small enough to not be forced into proprietary solutions.