TUI University

Ronald Donaldson

CSC-412

Module #5 Case

Link Layer & Physical Layer

Dr. Elchouemi
 Link Layer & Physical Layer of TCP/IP

In this paper I’m going to be talking about the Link/Physical layer of the TCP/IP

model. In effect, I’ll more or less be using the terms interchangeably, as apposed to the

more semantics oriented prescriptions of protocols offered within the OSI model.

(Wikipedia). The bulk of my discussion will be centered on the Ethernet and Point-to-

point protocols. In conjunction with my research, on these topics, it has occurred to me

that though these protocols operate within the same basic layer of functionality, they are

actually specialized in task parameters. Ethernet technology is a LAN protocol, whereas

PPP is a framing focused protocol. (Wikipedia). Though these two protocols essentially

rely on one another, they can in fact be clearly distinguished as two sides to the same

coin.

Theoretically, on one side there is a physical oriented specifications suite

(Ethernet) and then on the other, a more logically based operational task set (PPP).

Herein lay one of the differences between TCP/IP and OSI. The latter accounting for two

actual layers, whereas TCP/IP incorporates both within one, which is what I’ll be doing.

But taking into consideration the inherent differences between these two models, there

can only be very loosely fitting comparisons. With this in mind, as apposed to the further

broken down and segmented layers comprising OSI, which seem to accommodate the

following structure of my paper, I will be of the mind, as it is presented within the

TCP/IP model, that the characteristics of the link layer encompass both sides of the

proverbial coin.
 Ethernet

The first point to be made regarding a network is its basic physical parameters.

Among these basic units, are the general size of the network, the shape of the network,

and what the network is actually made out of. Below, I will address these in more detail.

 Network Size : Networking terminology generally refers to LANs and WANs to

describe this category. The first and smallest element is the LAN, which can be

anything from a large household network, to an office building network. With

today’s fiber optic cabling, much larger LANs have emerged. WANs are like the

evolution of the WAN, practically the same, only larger and often composed of

many LANs. The term MAN is sometimes used to describe metropolitan-area-

networks which are smaller than a WAN, but larger than a LAN. (Intro. to

Ethernet).

 Network Shape : The shapes of networks are referred to as topologies, which can

have varied pros/cons depending upon this context in which they are used. The

basic topologies are bus, tree, star, and ring, the simplest and most economic of

which, is the bus, in which all nodes are connected to the backbone. A ring is a

closed loop of nodes, so that each has one node to either side. A star has once

central hub, from which all node connections proceed. Star topologies have the

potential of hub overload and thus access delays. The tree topology combines the

concepts of the bus and star network topologies, in that star configurations branch

off from the backbone. It is common to find combinations of topologies. (Intro. to

Ethernet).
  Network Materials : Network materials refer to the actual physical specifications

characterizing the transmission medium. There are multitudes of cabling

specifications, but they can all more or less fall under the three basic cabling

types. Those types are coaxial cabling, twisted pair cabling (UTP), and fiber optic

cabling. Each type of cable comes in a variety of sizes and capacities, but the

pecking order, in terms of capacity (and cost for that matter) is generally UTP,

then coaxial, than fiber. Fiber optic cabling is primarily used as backbone cabling

for WANs or large LANs.

Now that we have a general idea of what networks can be composed of, there are

a few other details that need to be mentioned. I’ll refer to these as standards and capacity.

I’ve grouped these together due to their logical cause and effect relationship.

 Network Standards : There are multiple standards, pertaining to sub-layer topics

like MAC specifications, and generalized networking management. The IEEE

standards specifications for network management range from between 802.1 and

802.6, each individual standard focusing on specialized areas of concentration,

like MAC layer in token ring networks (802.5) and standards for MANs (802.6).
 Network Capacity : Here I relate network capacity to the speed of transmission a

network is capable of. Network speeds range from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. Today,

physical cabling of practically any type can accommodate any capacity, with

perhaps the exception of 10 Gbps, but typically, backbones are comprised of fiber

optic cabling and range in the higher capacity ratings. The next lowest would be

coaxial, and than twisted pair. (Intro. to Ethernet).

 One final note worthy of mention regarding Ethernet is the protocol known as

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD). This is a set of

rules and specifications that determine what happens when devices on a network attempt

to connect simultaneously. Since only one device can utilize a single channel at a time,

one two or more devices attempt to connect at once it is known as a collision. CSMA/CD

regulates the result of a collision by instructing the devices to wait a certain amount of

time before re-transmitting.

Point-to-Point Protocol

Point-to-Point Protocol refers to the set of network specifications pertaining to the

more logical aspects of the link layer, such as frame size and rate, IP address assignment,

encapsulation, and compression. (Point-to-Point Protocol). In fact PPP provides for a

variety of services for network functioning, all of which may fall under the broader

categories of High Level Data Link Control (HDLC), Link Control Protocol (LCP, and

Network Control Protocol (NCP). These are discussed in more detail below.

 Link Control Protocol : The original establishment of the point-to-point

connection is initiated by transmission of LCP packets, which serve to set up

connections specifications and satisfy requirements of received LCP packets, as

well as determine frame size. The link control protocol is responsible for whether

or not conditions are met by all hosts in order for a connection to be made. If

conditions are not met, the connection is either refused, or broken. (Webopedia).
  Network Control Protocol : The NCP is designed “to allow the simultaneous use

of multiple network-layer protocols”. (Point-to-Point Protocol). Here, additional

configurations are made after the LCP link is established. Webopedia describes

NCP as a client/server protocol that sets the parameters managing file sharing and

login requests. Such provides insight into the particular types of operational

specifications NCP manages.

 High Level Data Link Control : “HDLC establishes the methods for encapsulating

datagrams over serial links.” (Point-to-Point Protocol). In connected devices,

HDLC is responsible for encapsulating controls into the data frames, which

provide measures for data flow and error correction. (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

Point-to-Point Protocol can be seen as a suite of comprehensive control measures

for the logical functioning specifications of networks. Together, the various protocol

measures outlined within PPP make for a truly multi-specification interoperable network

protocol. PPP is thus generally considered to be operable over virtually any DTE/DCE

interface. The logical side of the physical layer is miraculously transmitted over physical

networks by means of the conversion of light/electric impulses, which are translated or

interpreted in a ‘need to know’ manor, at each node it comes across over a network until

it reaches its destination. Obviously, much more could be said on the subject, but with

this I’m going to bring this paper to a close, having covered the basics and fundamentals.
 References
HDLC, LCP, NCP. Webopedia. Retrieved June 28th 2010 from,

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/HDLC.html

High-Level Data Link Control. Wikipedia. Retrieved June 28th 2010 from,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDLC

Introduction to Ethernet. Retrieved June 28th 2010 from,

http://www.sena.com/download/tutorial/tech_Ethernet_v1r0c0.pdf

Point-to-Point Protocol. Retrieved June 28th 2010, from,

http://www.filibeto.org/sun/lib/networking/internetworking_technology_overview

/Point-to-Point_Protocol.pdf