We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Networking

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Access Method?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 8,763
Share

Access with regards to a computer can refer to being able to use a computer, a program, a network, or a website. An access method can be the appropriate protocol for allowing any of these operations. Alternatively, an access method can be a software routine that is involved in the storage, retrieval, transmission, or receipt of data or detecting — and amending if possible — a failed data transfer.

With regard to the first meaning, the access method is often a log-in using an authorized user name and password. A smart card keyboard, on the other hand, may require not only the smart card, but also a user name and password to create a dual-factor authentication access method. On websites, alternate methods may be used. OAuth is an open protocol for authentication that allows only authorized users access to private information.

With regard to the second meaning, there are different access methods for different systems. For tapes, the Sequential Access Method (SAM) is used. In this method, the data is kept in sequential order, either ascending or descending, based on a specified key field. SAM compares records for verification.

For disk access, indexed access methods are used, often the Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM). While the data is stored sequentially, as in SAM, an index is also created, in which record references are stored sequentially by initial date. An index of key fields is also maintained so they can be accessed directly.

There are several access methods for LANs (Local Area Networks), including token passing and CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection), which use the first two layers of the seven-layer OSI (Open System Interconnection) protocol. For mainframes, other methods are used, taking advantage of other layers off the OSI model.

The CSMA/CD access method begins by checking if the network is quiet and, if necessary, waiting until it is. If collisions are detected, the device and the network both wait to retry. When the Ethernet station sends a data frame, the transceiver must make an address match to forward the frame. In token passing, a repeating frame is the token. To send a message, a device waits for an empty token and fills it with the address and some or all of the data, and all network nodes monitor tokens for their own address.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for EasyTechJunkie, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.
Discussion Comments
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the...
Learn more
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-an-access-method.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.