Computer Network Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Network Access Layer in the TCP/IP protocol architecture model?

Exchange of data between end system and network, destination address provision, and invoking services like priority.

What is the primary function of the Transport Layer in the TCP/IP protocol architecture model?

Reliable delivery of data, ordering of delivery.

What is the primary function of the Application Layer in the TCP/IP protocol architecture model?

Support for user applications, e.g. http, SMTP.

What is the purpose of standards in computer networking?

To ensure interoperability between equipment, allowing products from different vendors to communicate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the TCP/IP protocol architecture model and the OSI model?

TCP/IP is a practical model with four layers, while OSI is a theoretical model with seven layers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Internet Layer in the TCP/IP protocol architecture model?

Routing functions across multiple networks, implemented in end systems and routers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Transport Layer in a protocol architecture?

Reliable data exchange Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding control information to user data at each layer in a protocol architecture?

To facilitate communication between layers Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Network Access Layer in a protocol architecture?

Exchange of data between the computer and the network Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for addressing in a protocol architecture?

Two levels of addressing: unique network address and unique application address Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a file transfer protocol?

To enable file transfer between computers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Application Layer in a protocol architecture?

Support for different user applications Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the transmitter in the communications model?

Converts data into transmittable signals Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why point-to-point communication is not practical?

Devices are too far apart, and a large set of devices would need an impractical number of connections Signup and view all the answers

What is circuit switching in the context of wide area networks?

Dedicated communications path established for the duration of the conversation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the transmission system in the communications model?

Carries data Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the key communications tasks involved in the simplified communications model?

Transmission System Utilization, Interfacing, Signal Generation, Synchronization, Exchange Management, Error detection and correction Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the receiver in the communications model?

Converts received signal into data Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physical Layer

Physical layer connects devices to transmission medium.
Characteristics of transmission medium
Signal levels
Data rates

Network Access Layer

Exchange of data between end system and network
Destination address provision
Invoking services like priority

Internet Layer (IP)

Systems may be attached to different networks
Routing functions across multiple networks
Implemented in end systems and routers

Transport Layer (TCP)

Reliable delivery of data
Ordering of delivery

Application Layer

Support for user applications
e.g. http, SMPT

OSI Model

Open Systems Interconnection
Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Seven layers

TCP/IP Protocol Architecture Model

Developed by the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) for its packet switched network (ARPANET)
Used by the global Internet
No official model but a working one

Standards

Required to allow for interoperability between equipment
Advantages: Ensures a large market for equipment and software, allows products from different vendors to communicate
Disadvantages: Freeze technology, May be multiple standards for the same thing

Standards Organizations

Internet Society
ISO
ITU-T (formally CCITT)
IEEE
ATM forum

Packet Switching

Data sent in sequence
May be received out of sequence
Small chunks (packets) of data at a time
Packets passed from node to node between source and destination
Used for terminal to computer and computer to computer communications

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

Designed to replace public telecom system
Wide variety of services
Entirely digital domain

Local Area Networks

Smaller scope
Usually owned by same organization as attached devices
Data rates much higher
Usually broadcast systems, now switched systems are used

Protocols

Used for communications between entities in a system
Must speak the same language
Entities: user applications, terminals, computer, remote sensor

Key Elements of a Protocol

Syntax: data formats, signal levels
Semantics: control information, error handling
Timing: speed matching, sequencing

Protocol Architecture

Task of communication broken up into modules
For example, file transfer could use three modules: file transfer application, communication service module, network access module

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of computer networks, including packet switching, ISDN, and LANs. It explores how data is transmitted in small chunks, or packets, and how these packets are passed from node to node to reach their destination.