Standard withdrawn 14 January 2001. Optional MAC capabilities are defined to allow direct link connection between two end nodes with provision for both half-duplex and full-duplex operation; burst-mode packet transmission from an end node to a repeater where the end node may send one or more packets each time it is granted permission to transmit; and implementation of the MAC Control sublayer to allow the exchange of control requests between peer MAC entities across the network when in ISO/IEC 8802-3 compatibility mode. Full interoperability is maintained with existing ISO/IEC 8802-12 products.

To enhance the Demand Priority MAC to provide full duplex operation when connecting two nodes (the term nodes includes bridges/switches). Define an optional burst mode capability which allows an end node to send multiple packets per grant up to a defined time limit. This will include definition of configuration field bits in the training packet to indicate availability of full duplex mode and burst mode and definition of related network management objects. Full duplex mode will be compatible with the existing and future simplex physical layers.

To support full duplex data transmission between switches, between an end node and a switch, and between a pair of end nodes. Full duplex data transmission provides for more efficient operation, especially in cases where the data exchange is symmetrical. Also, to support burst mode which improves efficiency for half duplex operation.