Data Communications and Networking Class Rules

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Questions and Answers

What is required of students regarding attendance in class?

Attendance is optional for the first lecture.

Late attendees are not permitted after 5 minutes.

Students can attend at any time.

Late attendees are not permitted after 10 minutes. (correct)

Which of the following actions should students avoid during lectures?

Asking questions if unclear.

Eating or drinking. (correct)

Studying and concentrating.

Requesting to repeat information.

What are the sources of information for the course?

Only the internet.

Textbooks and social media.

Lectures only.

Lecture notes and textbooks. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT an accepted behavior in class?

Making noise and talking. Signup and view all the answers

Which textbook focuses specifically on data communications and networking?

Data Communications and Networking Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a point-to-point link?

Only two nodes are involved Signup and view all the answers

Which type of communication allows for two-way communication but only one way at a time?

Half Duplex Signup and view all the answers

Which network topology connects multiple nodes in a single continuous path?

Ring Signup and view all the answers

What significant change has been observed in the Internet over the last decade?

Exponential growth in users and applications Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of full duplex communication?

Allows simultaneous two-way communication Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the Internet?

It is a network of networks comprising many hosts Signup and view all the answers

Which network topology has a central hub or switch that connects all other nodes?

Star Signup and view all the answers

In simplex communication, what is the nature of data flow?

Data flows in one direction only Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of circuit switching?

Guaranteed bandwidth for each call Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of circuit switching?

Connection setup can lead to delays Signup and view all the answers

What does packet switching involve?

Dividing data traffic into packets with headers Signup and view all the answers

In packet switching, what is meant by 'best-effort delivery'?

Packets may be lost or delivered out of order Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of packet switching over circuit switching?

More efficient use of bandwidth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a drawback of packet switching?

Variable packet delays across the network Signup and view all the answers

What happens to packets in a packet-switched network?

They can queue at nodes if resources are insufficient Signup and view all the answers

What must be stored in network nodes for circuit switching?

Per-connection information Signup and view all the answers

What typically leads to wasted bandwidth in circuit switching?

Dedicated channels during silence periods Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes packet overhead?

It can introduce additional delays Signup and view all the answers

What is one main benefit of using layered architecture in network protocols?

It simplifies the implementation and maintenance of the overall system. Signup and view all the answers

What does the OSI Model consist of?

Seven distinct layers with specific functionalities. Signup and view all the answers

How does each layer in the OSI Model interact with others?

It only communicates with the layer directly above and below it. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key purpose of establishing a well-defined interface between layers in protocol architecture?

To aid in the portability of network systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of the institutional access networks mentioned?

They facilitate access within specific organizations like schools or companies. Signup and view all the answers

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

To provide reliable and transparent transfer of data between end-systems. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer is responsible for the transmission of raw bits over a communication channel in the TCP/IP model?

Physical Layer Signup and view all the answers

What function does the Network Layer serve within the TCP/IP model?

Routing functions to enable data to traverse networks. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the TCP/IP model, which protocol is commonly used in the Transport Layer for reliable delivery?

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Signup and view all the answers

Which layer in the OSI model is equivalent to the TCP/IP Link Layer?

Data Link Layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Application Layer in the TCP/IP stack?

Support for user applications. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a responsibility of the TCP/IP Network Access Layer?

Framing data into manageable chunks. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the function of the Physical Layer?

It defines the characteristics of the transmission medium. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Session Layer primarily focus on in the OSI model?

Establishing, managing, and terminating sessions between applications. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following protocols operates at the Application Layer and is designed for transferring files?

FTP Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)?

To assign IP addresses dynamically to devices Signup and view all the answers

Which type of delay reflects the time waiting at an output link for packet transmission?

Queuing delay Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding headers at each layer of the TCP/IP stack?

To provide control information for proper data handling Signup and view all the answers

Which protocol is primarily used for sending emails over the Internet?

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) Signup and view all the answers

What does the transmission delay depend on?

The length of the packet and bandwidth of the link Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the TCP/IP model is responsible for routing packets from the source to the destination?

Network layer Signup and view all the answers

Which protocol facilitates the translation of domain names into IP addresses?

Domain Name System (DNS) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of adding headers at each layer in the TCP/IP model?

More overhead added to the data Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement reflects the time it takes for a packet to travel through the physical medium?

Propagation delay Signup and view all the answers

What do routers primarily operate on in the TCP/IP model?

Network layer information Signup and view all the answers

What can cause queuing delay in packet-switched networks?

The congestion level of the network Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the TCP/IP stack, what type of data does the Transport layer handle?

Segment data with headers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components operates at Layer 1 of the TCP/IP model?

Hubs Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a peer-to-peer file-sharing protocol?

BitTorrent Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wireless Communicating Networks

Wireless communicating networks cover a broad area, including various technologies.
The lecturer, Dr. Yousef Hamouda, provides contact information.
Meeting times and discussions are available upon request through email.
Students are expected to have mobile phones turned off during class.
Noise and inappropriate interruptions are not permitted.
Students should be on time; excessive tardiness (>10 mins) is not tolerated.
Food and drinks are prohibited during class.
Active learning is encouraged; ask questions and requests clarification when needed.

Supporting Information

Information sources include lecture notes, textbooks, and additional online or printed resources.

Text Books

Behrouz A. Forouzan's "DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING" (4th Edition, 2007) is a recommended text.
Other suggested text books are also available, each with a specific focus on networking.

Assessment

The assessment consists of exams and coursework, including research papers.
The final exam contributes 50% to the final grade.
Individual written coursework accounts for 50% of the grade.
Two research papers (6 pages each) contribute toward the written coursework component.

Research Topic

Subject areas for study include Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), WiFi, WiMax, LoRa, Wireless M-Bus, Free Space Optical (FSO), Satellite Communication, Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared (IR), Machine Learning, AI, and Security.

Computer Network

Computer networks connect multiple computers together.
Fixed devices include desktops (PCs) and workstations.
Portable devices such as laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, and smartphones, are also part of the network.
Network devices include hubs, switches, routers, and printers.
Wireless access points, such as WLAN and Bluetooth APs, enable wireless connectivity.

Simple Computer Network

Nodes are general-purpose computers, cell phones, PDAs, or network devices such as switches and routers.
Links are physical connections between nodes, such as twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or free space (radio waves or microwaves).

Network Components

Network components include links (fibers, coaxial cable), interfaces (Ethernet card, wireless card), and network devices (large router, computers).

Multi-Access vs. Point-to-Point Link

Multi-access links use a shared medium, and require arbitration mechanisms, whereas point-to-point links operate on dedicated lines.
Limitations of both approaches are relative to the number of involved adapters, and the difficulty in sending data to only one computer in the network.

Simplex vs Duplex

Simplex communication is unidirectional (e.g., TV).
Half-duplex communication is bidirectional but only one way at a time (e.g., police radio).
Full-duplex communication is bidirectional and simultaneous (e.g., telephone).

Types of Networks

Networks are categorized based on their geographic extent:
- Wide Area Network (WAN): a geographically dispersed network.
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): a network spanning a city or metropolitan area.
- Local Area Network (LAN): a network in a confined area like a building.

LAN Topologies

LAN topologies include tree, bus, ring, and star configurations.

Growth of the Internet

Internet usage has grown rapidly over the last decade.
Increased applications and users have led to greater reliance and connectivity.

The Internet

The internet connects multiple computers globally.
It's a network of networks, comprised of interconnected networks.

The Internet-2

Millions of connected computing devices (hosts or end systems).
Internet applications (like web browsers) run on interconnected networks.
Communication links, e.g., fiber, copper, radio, and satellite.

The Internet (Routers)

Routers forward data packets (chunks of data).
Protocols control data sending and receiving (e.g., TCP, IP, HTTP, FTP).
The internet is a hierarchical network.
Public and private intranets contrast in accessibility.

The Internet (Interoperability)

Multiple service providers contribute to the internet globally.
Each network is independent; their interoperability relies on internet standards, such as IP and TCP.

Who Defines the Protocols?

Protocols are defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
The IETF website and RFCs (Requests for Comments) provide standards.

Network Structure

Networks have edge (hosts, applications), core (routers-network of networks), and access (communication links) components.

Network Edge

End systems (hosts) run applications (e.g., web, email).
The client-server model involves clients requesting service from servers (e.g., web browsers and web servers).
Peer-to-peer models (like file-sharing) minimize dedicated servers.

Network Core

The network core is a mesh of interconnected routers.
Circuit switching (like telephones) uses dedicated circuits per call.
Packet switching divides data into packets for transmission over the network.

Circuit Switching

Circuit switching dedicates resources (bandwidth, capacity) for a call, limiting its flexibility.
It guarantees circuit-like performance, and requires call setup in advance.

Advantages of Circuit Switching

Guaranteed bandwidth
Predictable communication performance

Disadvantages of Circuit Switching

Wasted bandwidth during periods of no data transmission.
Cannot handle bursty traffic effectively.
Unresponsive to dynamic data transmission needs; it's unable to accommodate diverse transmission needs effectively.
Difficulty adapting to different transmission needs of users.

Packet Switching

Packet switching divides data into smaller packets for transmission.
All packets share network resources.
Packets travel independently over the entire network.
Forwarding is based on header information (e.g., addresses).
Destination reconstructs the message.

Packet Switching (2)

Best-effort delivery with the risk of packet loss, corruption, and out-of-order delivery.

Disadvantages of Packet Switching

Variable delays due to varied packet sizes and routing paths.
Overhead information for each packet (e.g., addressing, sequencing).

Access Networks

Access networks connect end systems to the edge router, including residential, home, institutional, and mobile networks.

Access Networks (2)

Access networks use various technologies (e.g., DSL, cable, fiber, cellular, WiFi, Ethernet, etc.) to connect end systems to the network.
Different technologies and media (e.g., air interface, wired lines) facilitate data transmission based on local and regional connectivity.

Protocol Layers - Why Layering?

Dividing tasks into independent layers.
Establishing well-defined interfaces between layers.
Dealing with complex systems (explaining the relationship between pieces).
Specifying different functionalities in layers.
Modularization aids maintenance and upgrades.
Transparency of layer changes to other layers.

OSI Model

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, developed by ISO, defines seven layers.
Each layer performs specific functions, using protocols.
Each layer interacts with the layer directly above or below it.
Layers process data received from the previous layer and send it to the next layer.

OSI Model (Specific Layers)

Each layer in the OSI model has a specific role; the application, presentation, session, transport, network, data link, and physical layers. They handle protocols and services.

TCP/IP Protocol Stack

The TCP/IP protocol stack is a layered model that defines the protocols used for internet communication.
It correlates with the OSI model, but has fewer layers.
The physical layer, data link layer, internet layer, transport layer, and application layer are its essential components.

TCP/IP Physical Layer

Physical layer specifications include the characteristics of the transmission medium, nature of signals, data rate, distances, and other essential elements for transferring bits across communication channels.

TCP/IP Network Access Layer

This layer handles communication between an end system and its attached network.
Framing, addressing, and switching protocols (e.g., Ethernet) are crucial elements for functionality.

TCP/IP Internet Layer (IP)

Internet Protocol (IP) manages routing tasks, allowing data transmission across interconnected networks.

TCP/IP Transport Layer

Core protocols like TCP (reliable) and UDP (unreliable) allow the transport of data.

TCP/IP Application Layer

Application layer protocols (e.g., FTP, HTTP, DNS, DHCP, SMTP, BitTorrent) support specific user applications.

TCP/IP Stack: Protocols (Summary)

Application layer (defining protocols supporting applications).
Transport layer (protocols responsible for communication between hosts, delivering data reliably or unreliably).
Network layer (routing data in the network.)
Link layer (connection between devices on a network.)

Layering & Headers

Each layer adds headers and possibly trailers for control information.

Headers (Detailed)

Headers provide layer-specific control information, such as addresses, sequencing, and other crucial data for different layers.

Encapsulation

Data encapsulation is a crucial component in data transmission methods.

Example: HTTP Service

HTTP illustrates how different network components work together in layers, from hosts and servers to routers and switches involving different protocols.

Delays in Packet-Switched Networks

Processing delays account for tasks like checking bits and determining output links.
Transmission delay depends on link bandwidth and packet length.
Queuing delay results from waiting in queues at the output link.
Propagation delay depends on signal transmission speed and the link length.
The formula for total nodal delay incorporates these variables.

“Real” Internet Delays and Routes

Shows data transmission delays for a long-distance Internet connection.
Reveals the complex path data takes through nodes and networks.

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of the attendance policies, acceptable behaviors during lectures, and textbook resources related to Data Communications and Networking. Test your knowledge of what is expected from students in the classroom setting.