active monitor (TR) (AM)

The Active Monitor(AM) is the first connected station in a Token Ring network that performs network management functions.

The Active Monitor detects error conditions in the background and is responsible for forwarding and maintaining the token. Faulty tokens that would continuously orbit in the Token Ring are removed by the Active Monitor. The first station connected to the Token Ring is automatically designated as the Active Monitor.

The Active Monitor continuously transmits the Idle State, which the other Token Ring stations use for clock acquisition and synchronization.