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EEE- 448 Computer Networks

Midterm Exam Solution Spring 2016

1. Answer True or False for the following statements. [30 Points]

[ T ] In general, the higher the frequency used, the higher the potential bandwidth and therefore the higher the potential data rate.

[ F ] An Internet router connecting N subnetworks requires N-1 IP addresses.

[ T ] Ethernet is a LAN so it is placed in the second layer of the OSI reference model.

[ T ] UDP provides connectionless service and delivers packets quickly. In case of packet loss, UDP does not provide retransmission.

[ F ] DNS is used to translate a host name to its MAC address.

[ T ] UDP is the preferred over TCP for transferring a real-time voice over IP networks.

[ T ] The mesh topology is the simplest logical topology in terms of data flow, but it is the most complex in terms of physical design.

[ F ] In a bus topology, each station on the network is connected to two other stations, forming a loop or ring.

[ F ] ITU-F International Telecommunication Union for creating protocols of internet.

[ T ] TCP protocol is slower than UDP?

2. Name the seven layers defined in the ISO OSI Reference Model and state the functions of the lowest three layers. [10 Points]

Layer 1: Physical – concerned with transmission of data (bits) over physical medium

Layer 2: Data Link – concerned with the reliable transfer of information across the physical link; sends blocks of data (frames) with
the necessary synchronization, error control and flow control

Layer 3: Network – concerned with reliable transmission of packets from a source to destination node across networks.

Layer 4: Transport

Layer 5: Session

Layer 6: Presentation

Layer 7: Application

3. Name and describe two types of frame errors that occur in the transmission of frames. [10 Points]

(1) Lost Frame -- A frame fails to arrive at the receiver. A noise burst may damage a frame to the extent that the receiver is not
aware that a frame has been transmitted.

(2) Damaged Frame -- A recognizable frame does arrive but some of the bits are in error.

4. List of characteristics that define effectiveness of data communications [5 Points]

• Delivery
• Accuracy
 • Timeliness
• Jitter

5. List Components of Data Communication System and explain 2 of them [10 Points]

• Message is the information (data) to be communicated (text, numbers, images, audio, and video).
• Sender is the device that sends the data message (computer, mobile phone, video camera and so on).
• Receiver is the device that receives the message.
• Transmission medium is the physical path by which a message travels from sender to receiver (twisted-pare, coaxial, fiber-
optic cables and radio waves).
• Protocol is an agreement between the communicating devices on how communication is to proceed.

6. What is the definition of protocol? [5 Points]

A protocol is a set of rules that governs data communication; the key elements of a protocol are syntax, semantics, and
timing.

7. What are the features of layering? Explain [5 Points]

– Purpose : Why do you need this layer?

– Service :What does this layer do?
– Interface : How do you access this layer?
– Protocol : How is this layer implemented?

8. What are Internet layers[ 5 Points] Application Layer ; Transport Layer; Internet Layer; Network Access Layer

9. What is ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)? [10 Points]

• The Address Resolution Protocol is used by a sending host when it knows the IP address of the destination but
needs the Ethernet (or whatever) address.
• ARP is a broadcast protocol - every host on the network receives the request.
• Each host checks the request against it’s IP address - the right one responds.

10. What is different between IPv4 and IPv6? [10 Points]

• IP (IPv4) provides for 32-bit source and destination addresses, using a 192-bit header
• IPv6 (1996 standard) provides for 128-bit addresses, using a 320-bit header.