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> Obviously the entire thing fails if any node is powered off or has any kind of problem, but it's quite funny to do

Indeed it was funny enough to have that be a very common network topology back in the day. I've never had to investigate a token ring network failure but I can pretty much guarantee it was a frustrating exercise.

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I was going to say that I thought token ring MAUs handled disconnected stations but then I read this (including the "setup aid" with an included battery) and now I'm not sure any more:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_access_unit

(un)fortunately I didn't experience this period of network history first hand. :)

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