
22 Networking Explained, Second Edition
48. If parallel communication is so much faster than serial communication, why are
most network links serial-based?
Although parallel communication is capable of transmitting data more quickly than
serial communication, it does have its limitations. For instance, parallel communication
requires a relatively complex communication link, which is achieved through the use of
large, multiwire cables. Also, the longer the parallel link, the worse the degradation of the
electrical signal from the most distant nodes. Consequently, in most networking applica-
tions, parallel communication is limited to peripherals directly ...