Elective IV: Game Networking

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Questions and Answers

What is the maximum theoretical number of IPv4 addresses available?

2^{32} (correct)

1024

2^{64}

256

What type of host has multiple unique IP addresses on different interfaces?

Multihomed host (correct)

Single-homed host

Client

Server

Which feature does TCP provide that UDP does not?

Multiplexing

Flow control (correct)

Fast transmission

Connectionless service

How does TCP ensure reliable ordered transfer of bytes?

It divides data into TCP frames Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about UDP is true?

UDP operates without packet loss detection. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of TCP, what is meant by a 'TCP connection'?

A bidirectional path between endpoints Signup and view all the answers

What type of applications initially motivated the development of TCP?

Email and file transfer Signup and view all the answers

Which layer does TCP operate above in a network stack?

Transport layer Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Augmented Reality in gaming?

Interaction with artificial, computer-generated objects Signup and view all the answers

In the Human Pacman game, what technology enables the Pacman player to interact with ghosts?

Bluetooth technology Signup and view all the answers

What additional role do some players assume in the Human Pacman game?

They become the ghosts chasing Pacman Signup and view all the answers

What does the GPS in the Human Pacman game provide?

Positional information for virtual dots Signup and view all the answers

What is one serious application of Augmented Reality beyond entertainment?

Military or disaster response training Signup and view all the answers

What primary advantage does the networking aspect provide in Human Pacman?

It gives the human Pacman an overview of the game field Signup and view all the answers

How does Augmented Reality combine gameplay and physical exercise?

By allowing interactions in the physical environment Signup and view all the answers

What element enhances the experience of Human Pacman beyond the traditional Pacman game?

The combination of real and virtual interactions Signup and view all the answers

What do IP networks primarily provide in terms of packet delivery?

Best effort service with no guarantees Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the time it takes for a packet to reach its destination?

Latency Signup and view all the answers

What is jitter in the context of IP networks?

Variation in packet latency Signup and view all the answers

How are IPv4 addresses represented conventionally?

Dotted-decimal format Signup and view all the answers

What does packet loss rate indicate?

The probability of a packet being lost Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does not serve as a support service for IP networks?

HTTP Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Internet Protocol play regarding underlying network technologies?

It conceals the complexity of those technologies Signup and view all the answers

What can cause packets to not reach their destination?

Packet loss during transmission Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of an application using UDP in networking?

It experiences the latency, jitter, and loss characteristics of the underlying network. Signup and view all the answers

What do TCP and UDP add to the IP address for identification purposes?

Source and destination port numbers Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes sending a packet to a single destination?

Unicast Signup and view all the answers

How does broadcasting typically function within a network?

It sends a single packet that the network replicates to all hosts. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major feature of IP multicast?

Delivers packets to a group of destinations simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the relationship between broadcasting and multicast?

Broadcast can be seen as a special case of multicast. Signup and view all the answers

From a game developer's perspective, which aspect of IP networks is often unnecessary to understand?

The internal structure of IP networks. Signup and view all the answers

How many port numbers does each TCP or UDP frame carry?

Two 16-bit port numbers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Augmented Reality in Gaming

Augmented Reality (AR) allows users to interact with real-world environments while integrating computer-generated elements.
Example: Human Pacman enhances the traditional Pacman by adding virtual dots in the real world, visible through wearable head-mounted displays.
Sensors and GPS help generate virtual elements that align with the player’s physical location.
Multiplayer integration allows some players to take on the role of ghosts, using Bluetooth for network interactions.
An additional player can monitor the game field and provide strategic information to the Pacman player.

Applications of Augmented Reality

Combines gameplay, physical activity, and social interaction.
Beyond entertainment, AR can be utilized in military or disaster response training, enhancing physical exercises with simulations of virtual conflicts.

Basic Internet Architecture

Multiplayer games operate on Internet Protocol (IP) networks, which underpin design and user experience.
IP networks provide best-effort services, lacking time guarantees for packet delivery.
Latency describes the time taken for a packet to reach its destination, while jitter refers to short-term variations in latency.
Packet loss rates indicate the likelihood of packets being lost during transmission.

IP Addressing and Endpoints

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, expressed in dotted-decimal format (e.g., 128.80.195.7).
Theoretical maximum of 2^32 IPv4 addresses, although fewer are available in practice.
Hosts, including PCs and game consoles, can have multiple IP addresses on different interfaces.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

TCP is designed for applications sensitive to packet loss but can tolerate some delay.
It ensures reliable, ordered delivery of data through bidirectional paths (TCP connections).
Data is fragmented into TCP frames and encapsulated within IP packets sent across the network.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

UDP offers a simpler, connectionless, and unreliable service, suitable for applications that do not need TCP's reliability.
It does not provide flow control, loss detection, or recovery, reflecting the IP network's characteristics directly.

Multiplexing and Ports

TCP and UDP utilize ports to identify specific applications, analogous to apartment or room numbers.
Each frame contains source and destination port numbers, facilitating multiplexing of different communication streams.

Unicast, Broadcast, and Multicast

Unicast: Packet transmission to a single destination.
Broadcast: Sending packets to all hosts within a designated network region, often implemented natively.
Multicast: Transmits packets to multiple destinations identified by special IP addresses. Hosts can join or leave multicast groups as needed.

Connectivity and Routing

Game developers do not typically need in-depth knowledge of IP network structures but should understand connectivity principles.

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Description

Dive into the world of multiplayer internet games with this quiz on game networking. Explore the fundamentals of engineering multiplayer games and understand the role of augmented reality in enhancing digital experiences. Test your knowledge on basic internet architecture and its applications in gaming.