Network Study Guide

St.
Mary’s University College

Faculty of Informatics
Study Guide
For
Computer Network
Department of Computer Science

Prepared by
Kalechristos Abebe
215
Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

St. Mary’s University College
January 2012
Module summary
The study guide of computer network is organized into seven units, with each unit having its
own set of self test problems. The units are selected as, Introduction to data communication
and networking, network models, transmission media, LAN technologies and Multiple
access, WAN technologies and networks security.
For each of the chapters, self test problems are available as those having answer key and
those without answer. All the questions are set to address main areas of the unit mentioned in
the specifics objectives list. Students are advised to try to answer all the questions and check
out answer for those questions with answer key
Questions listed as those without answer key are all subjective types which help the students
to have better understanding of the subject
Unit I
216

Introduction to data communication and Network
Summary
Data communications are the transfer of data from one device to another via some form of
transmission medium. A data communications system must transmit data to the correct
destination in an accurate and timely manner. The five components that make up a data
communications system are the message, sender, receiver, medium, and protocol. Text,
numbers, images, audio, and video are different forms of information. Data flow between two
devices can occur in one of three ways: simplex, half-duplex, or full-duplex.
A network is a set of communication devices connected by media links. In a point-to-point

connection, two and only two devices are connected by a dedicated link. In a multipoint
connection, three or more devices share a link. Topology refers to the physical or logical
arrangement of a network. Devices may be arranged in a mesh, star, bus, or ring topology. A
network can be categorized as a local area network or a wide area network. A LAN is a data
communication system within a building, plant, or campus, or between nearby buildings. A
WAN is a data communication system spanning states, countries, or the whole world. An
internet is a network of networks. The Internet is a collection of many separate networks.
There are local, regional, national, and international Internet service providers. A protocol is
a set of rules that govern data communication; the key elements of a protocol are syntax,
semantics, and timing. Standards are necessary to ensure that products from different
manufacturers can work together as expected. The ISO, ITD-T, ANSI, IEEE, and EIA are
some of the organizations involved in standards creation. Forums are special-interest groups
that quickly evaluate and standardize new technologies. A Request for Comment is an idea
or concept that is a precursor to an Internet standard.
General objective
217

The general objective of the unit is to help students understand the basic concepts of data
communication and computer networks
Specific 0bjectives
Specific objectives of the unit include:
 Define data communication
o Identify Components of data communication system
o Identify Characteristics of data communication system
o Describe direction of data flow
 Identify and describe computer networks
o Describe Network criteria
o Describe uses of computer network
o Explain network physical structure
 Identify Types of connection
 Identify Physical topology
 Explain the physical layout of topologies
 Explain advantages and disadvantages of topologies
o Identify categories of networks
 Identify Local Area network(LAN)
 Identify Wide Area network(WAN)
 Identify Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)
 Identify the Internet
o Explain the brief history of Internet
o Describe Internet service providers
 Identify Protocol and Standards
o Identify protocols
o Identify standards
o Identify standard organizations
218

Self test Problems without answer key

1. What are the advantages of a multipoint connection over a point-to-point
connection?
2. Categorize the four basic topologies in terms of their line configuration
3. Suppose you add two new devices to an existing five device network. If you have
a fully connected mesh topology, how many new cable lines are needed? If
devices are arranged in a single ring, how many new cable lines are needed?
4. Draw a hybrid topology, with bus back bone connecting two ring back bones.
Each ring backbone connects three star networks
5. What are some factors that determine whether a communication system is LAN,
MAN or WAN.
6. What is an internet? What is an Internet?
7. Why are protocols and standards needed?
Self test Problems with answer key

Multiple choices
1. Frequency of failure and network recovery time after failure are measures of
_______ of a network
a. Performance b. Reliability c. Security d. Feasibility
2. Which topology requires a central controller or hub?
a. Star b. Mesh d. Ring Bus
3. The____________ is a physical path over which a message travels
a. Protocol b. Medium c. Signal d. Standard
4. Which topology requires multipoint connection?
a. Mesh b. Star c. Bus d. Ring
5. Communication between computer and keyboard involves__________
a. Simplex b. Duplex c. Half duplex d. Automatic
6. A ___________ connection provides a dedicated link between two devices
219

a. Point-to-point b.Multi point c. Primary d.
Secondary
7. A cable break in __________topology stops all transmission
a. Mesh b. Bus c. Star d. Ring
8. In a network with 25 computers, which topology requires most extensive cabling?
a. Mesh b. Star c. Bus d. Ring
9. A publishing company with head quarters in Addis Abeba and branch offices
throughout Africa, Europe and Asia is probably connected by_______________
a. LAN b. WAN c. MAN d. None of the above
10. In______ communication , the channel capacity is used by both communicating
devices at all times
a. Simplex b. Half-duplex c. Full-duplex d. Half-simplex
Answer the following questions
11. Identify the five components a data communication system
12. What are the advantages of a multipoint connection over a point-to-point
connection
13. Name the four basic network topologies, and cite an advantage of each type
14. Assume six devices are arranged in a mesh topology, how many cables are
needed? How many ports are needed for each device?
15. What are the three criteria needed for an efficient and effective network?
Answer Key
1. B 2. A 3. B
4. C 5. A 6. A
7. D 8. A 9. B
10.C
11. The five components of a data communication system are:
I. Message: information (data) to be communicated
II. Sender: sender is a device that sends a data message
220

III. Receiver: Receiver is a device that receives the message
IV. Medium: Transmission medium is a physical path by which message
travels for sender to receiver
V. Protocol: Protocol is a set of rules that governs data communication
12. The advantage of multi point connection over point to point connection is that
multi point connection provides greater efficiency since more than two devices could
share the link
13. The four basic topologies with their advantages and disadvantages
Mesh Toplogy: Each device has a dedicated point to point link to every other device
in the network
Advantage
- Eliminates traffic problem
- Robust
- Privacy or security
Disadvantages
- Extensive cabling and more number of

ports are needed
Star Toplogy: Each device has a point to point link to a central controller device or
hub Advantage
- Less expensive
- Easy to install and configure
- Robust
221

Bus Topology: In but topology one cable acts as a back bone to link all other devices in the
network
Advantage
- Ease of installation
Disadvantage
- Difficult re connection and

fault isolation
Ring Topology: Each device has a dedicated point to point connection with only two devices
on either side of it
Advantage
- Easy to install and configure
- Simple fault isolation
Disadvantage
- Unidirectional traffic
- Single point of failure
14. For six devices arranged in a fully connected mesh topology:
Number of cables needed = 6x(6-1)/2=15
Number of ports needed for each device=6-1=5
222

15. The three criteria’s needed for efficient and effective network are@
I. Performance :Performance can be measured with transit time and response time of the
network
II. Reliability: is a measure network frequency of failure, time it takes to recover from
failure, and network’s robustness in catastrophe
III. Security: Security issues include protecting data for un authorized access
Unit Two
Network Models
Summary
The International Standards Organization created a model called the Open Systems
Interconnection, which allows diverse systems to communicate. The seven-layer OSI model
provides guidelines for the development of universally compatible networking protocols. The
physical, data link, and network layers are the network support layers. The session,
presentation, and application layers are the user support layers
TCP/IP is a five-layer hierarchical protocol suite developed before the OSI model. The
TCP/IP application layer is equivalent to the combined session, presentation, and application
layers of the OSI model. Four levels of addresses are used in an internet following the
TCP/IP protocols: physical (link) addresses, logical (IP) addresses, port addresses, and
specific addresses. The physical address, also known as the link address, is the address of a
node as defined by its LAN or WAN. The IP address uniquely defines a host on the Internet,
The port address identifies a process on a host A specific address is a user-friendly address
General Objective
The general objective of the unit is to understand the network reference model
Specific Objectives
223

At the end of the unit students are expected to
 Understand the concepts of OSI reference model
o Identify layered architecture
o Identify peer-to-peer process
o Indentify encapsulation
o Identify layers in the OSI model
 Explain the function of Physical layer
 Explain the function of data link layer
 Explain the function of network layer
 Explain the function of transport layer
 Explain the function of session layer
 Explain the function of presentation layer
 Explain the function of application layer
 Understand the concepts of TCP/IP reference model
o Identify TCP/IP layers
 Identify physical and data link layers
 Identify network layer
 Identify transport layer
 Identify application layer
o Identify TCP/IP protocols
 Identify Internet protocol
 Identify Transmission control protocol
 Identity user datagram protocol
 identify application layer protocols
o identify IP addressing techniques
 Explain IP address assignments
 Explain IP address classes
o Identify subnet addressing
224

 Explain subnetting
 Explain subnet masking
Self test problems without answer key
1. What are the advantages of using UDP over TCP?
2. Why is domain name reversed when searching for the IP address?
3. Write the functions of the following application layer protocols
i. DHCP
ii. DNS
iii. FTP
iv. RPC
4. Draw two Ethernet LANs connected by a gateway. Each LAN has three hosts.
One LAN is class B and one is class C. Choose appropriate internet addresses.
How many connections must the gateway have?
5. What is the difference between physical address and logical address?
6. Find the classes of the following IP addresses
a. 121.56.3.67
b. 193.23.56.23
c. 231.23.67.123
d. 142.23.56.23
7. Find the network addresses for IP addresses given in problem 6
8. Give some advantages and disadvantages of combining the session, presentation,
and application layer in the OSI model into one single application layer as in the
Internet model
9. For the given class B IP address give below, find
IP:255.255.254.0
i. Network address
ii. Subnet Mask
iii. Broad cast address
225

Self test problem with answer key

Choose the best answer for the following
1. The _______ layer of OSI model decides the location of synchronization points
a. Transport b. Session c. Presentation d. Application
2. Which of the following layers of OSI model is responsible for end to end delivery of
entire message?
a. Network b. Transport c. Session d. Presentation
3. In the ________layer of OSI model , data unit is called a frame
a. Physical b. Data link c. Network d. Transport
4. Which layer of the OSI model uses the trailer of the frame for error detection?
a. Physical b. Data link c. Transport d. Presentation
5. On which layer of the OSI model both header and trailer information are added?
a. Physical b. Network c. Data link d. Transport
6. Which of the following applies of UDP?
a. Un reliable and connectionless
b. Contains destination and source port addresses
c. Reports certain errors
d. All of the above
7. Which of the following is a class A network address?
a. 128.4.5.6
b. 127.4.5.0
c. 127.0.0.0
d. 127.8.0.0
8. Which of the following is a class B host address
a. 230.0.0.0
b. 130.4.5.6
c. 230.4.5.9
d. 30.4.5.6
9. Which IP address class has few hosts per network?
226

a. A b. B c. C d. D
10. The data unit in TCP/IP data link layer is called_______________
a. Message b. Segment c. Datagram d. Frame

11. Describe the fields available in IPV6 header format
12. Physical, port, and IP addresses are used in data communication. In TCP/IP
environment, what layers are they associated with?
13. What does subnetting and subnet masking refers to?
14. For the given class B IP address give below, find
IP:255.255.192.0
i. Network address
ii. Subnet Mask
iii. Broad cast address
Answer Key
1. B 2. B 3. B
4. B 5. C 6. D
7. C 8. B 9. C 10. D
11. IPV6 Header format is as follows
227

12. The
physica
l
address is
associated with the
data link layer. The logical address is associated with the network layer. A port address is
associated with application layer
228

13. Subnetting refers to the partitioning of a network address space into separate autonomous
sub networks.
14. IP address: 255.255.192.0

172.16.0.0=Network address
255.255.192.0=Subnet mask
1. 22–2=2.
2. 214–2=16,382.
3. 256–192=64. 64+64=128.
4. First find the broadcast addresses in step 5, then come back and perform step 4 by
filling in the host addresses.
5. Find the broadcast address of each subnet, which is always the number right before
the next subnet.
The following table shows the two subnets available, the valid host range, and the
broadcast address of each.
Notice we just added the fourth octet’s lowest and highest values and came up with the
answers. Again, it is the same answer as for a Class C subnet, but we just added the fourth
octet.
Unit 3
Transmission Media
Summary
229

A transmission medium can be broadly defined as anything that can carry information from a
source to a destination. Transmission media lie below the physical layer. Guided medium
provides a physical conduit from one device to another. Twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, and
optical fiber are the most popular types of guided media. Twisted-pair cable consists of two
insulated copper wires twisted together. Twisted pair cable is used for voice and data
communications. Coaxial cable consists of a central conductor and a shield. Coaxial cable
can carry signals of higher frequency ranges than twisted-pair cable. Coaxial cable is used in
cable TV networks and traditional Ethernet LANs. Fiber-optic cables are composed of a
glass or plastic inner core surrounded by cladding, all encased in an outside jacket. Fiber-
optic cables carry data signals in the form of light. The signal is propagated along the inner
core by reflection. Fiberoptic transmission is becoming increasingly popular due to its noise
resistance, low attenuation, and high-bandwidth capabilities. Fiber-optic cable is used in
backbone networks, cable TV networks, and Fast Ethernet networks. Unguided media (free
space) transport electromagnetic waves without the use of a physical conductor.
Wireless data are transmitted through ground propagation, sky propagation, and line of-sight
propagation. Wireless waves can be classified as radio waves, microwaves, or infrared waves.
Radio waves are Omni-directional; microwaves are unidirectional. Microwaves are used for
cellular phone, satellite wireless LAN communications. Infrared waves are used for short-
range communications such as those between a PC and a peripheral device. It can also be
used for indoor LANs.
General Objective
The general objective of the unit is to understand use of transmission media at the physical
layer
Specific Objectives
At the end of the unit, students are expected to:
 Understand use of guide media
230

o Explain the working mechanism of twisted pair cable
o Explain the working mechanism of coaxial cable
o Explain the working mechanism of Fiber optic cable
 Understand the use of Un guided transmission media
o Explain the working mechanism of Radio waves
o Explain the working mechanism of microwaves
o Explain the working mechanism of infrared
1. How do guided media differ from unguided media?

2. How does sky propagation differ from line of sight propagation?
3. Differentiate straight through and cable cross over connections in twisted pair
4. Name the advantages of fiber optic over twisted pair cable
5. Differentiae among the following coaxial cable standards
i. RG-8
ii. RG-9
iii RG-11
iv RG-58
Self test problems with answer key

1. Transmission media are usually categorized as _____________
a. Fixed or unfixed
b. Guided or unguided
c. Determined or undetermined
d. Metallic or non metallic
2. In fiber optics , the signal source is _________ waves
a. Light
b. Radio
231

c. Infrared
d. Very low frequency
3. In an environment with many high voltage devices , the best transmission medium
is___
a. Twisted pair cable
b. Coaxial cable
c. Optical fiber cable
d. Atmospheres
4. What is the reason that makes coaxial cable less susceptible to noise than twisted pair
cable?
a. Inner conductor
b. Diameter of cable
c. Outer conductor
d. Insulating material
5. The inner core of an optical fiber is ______________ in composition
a. Glass or plastic
b. Copper
c. Bimetallic
d. Liquid
6. Explain what cross talk is and what is needed to reduce it
7. Why should the light ray be reflective rather than refractive in fiber optics?
8. Why is there a distance limit of terrestrial microwaves? What factors do you need to
calculate this limit?
9. Discuss the different categories of twisted pair cable
Answer Key
1. B 2. A 3. C
4 C 5. A
232

6. Cross talk is the undesired effect of one circuit (channel) on another circuit. Cross talk
can be reduced by shielding each pair of twisted pair cable
7. In fiber optics cable the light ray needs to travel along a long narrow channel, the core;
it does this by successive reflections against the cladding. On the other hand , a
refractive ray goes into the cladding and leaves the core area; the information thus does
not get propagated; it is lost
8. Terrestrial microwave transmission is limited by the curvature of the earth and the
height of the antenna. Both of these factors are needed to calculate the distance a signal
can travel
9. The different categories of twisted pair cable are shown in the table below
Unit 4
Local Area Networks and multiple Access
Summary
233

We can consider the data link layer as two sub layers. The upper sublayer is responsible for
data link control, and the lower sub layer is responsible for resolving access to the shared
media. Many formal protocols have been devised to handle access to a shared link. We
categorize them into three groups: random access protocols, controlled access protocols, and
channelization protocols.
Although a LAN can be used as an isolated network to connect computers in an organization
for the sole purpose of sharing resources, most LANs today are also linked to a wide area
network (WAN) or the Internet .Ethernet is the most widely used local area network protocol.
The IEEE 802.3 Standard defines I-persistent CSMA/CD as the access method for first-
generation 10-Mbps Ethernet. In this unit, the focus is on IEEE Standard Project 802,
designed to regulate the manufacturing and interconnectivity between different LANs
General objective
The general objective of the unit is to understand different LAN technologies and multiple
access schemes
Specific objectives
At the end of the unit students are expected to:
 Define multiple access
o Explain random access techniques
 Explain how carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) works
 Explain how carrier sense multiple access with collision detection
(CSMA/CD)works
 Explain how carrier sense multiple access with collision
avoidance(CSMA/CA) works
o Explain controlled access techniques
 Explain how reservation technique works
 Explain how polling technique works
 Explain how token passing technique works
234

o Explain channelization techniques
 Explain how Frequency –Division multiple access(FDMA) works
 Explain how Time-Division Multiple access(TDMA) works
 Explain how Code-Division Multiple access (CDMA) works
 Define LAN technologies
o Explain the IEEE standards
 Explain functions of data link layer
 Explain functions of physical layer
o Explain the standard Ethernet
 Explain Ethernet topologies
 Explain the functions of MAC sub layer
 Explain bridged Ethernet
 Explain switched Ethernet
 Explain full-duplex Ethernet
 Explain fast Ethernet
 Explain gigabit Ethernet

1. Define random access and list protocols in this category
2. Explain why collision is an issue in a random access protocol but not in controlled
access or channelizing protocols
3. Compare and contrast a controlled access protocol with a channelizing protocol.
4. Write the functions of the following data link sub layers
a. LLC
b. MAC
5. Differentiate among the following types of Ethernet
a. Bridged Ethernet
b. Switched Ethernet
c. Giga bit Ethernet
235

6. Compare the following LAN technologies in terms of their topology, alternate
topology, access method and transmission media used
a. Ethernet
b. Token ring

1. In CSMA/CD, the number of collision is ____________ than MA
a. Greater than c. Equal to
b. Less than d. twice
2. In Ethernet , the source address field in the MAC frame is ______ address
a. The original senders physical
b. The previous stations physical
c. The next destinations physical
d. The original senders service port
3. Which of the following use star topology?
a. 10BASE5 c. 10BASE-T
b. 10BASE2 d. None of the above
4. 10BASE2 uses _______ cable while 10BASE5 uses _________
a. Thick coaxial , thin coaxial
b. Twisted pair , thick coaxial
c. Thin coaxial , thick coaxial
d. Fiber optic, thin coaxial
5. ________ specifies a star topology featuring central hub and daisy chaining
a. 10BASE5 c. 10BASE-T
b. 10BASE2 d. 1BASE5
6. What can happen at a token ring station?
a. Examination of destination address
b. Regeneration of the frame
236

c. Passing of the frame to the next station
d. All of the above
7. In token ring , where is the token when a data frame is in circulation?
a. At the receiving station
b. At the sending station
c. Circulating the ring
d. None of the above
8. Which LAN has the highest data rate?
a. 10BASE5
b. 10BASE-T
c. Twisted –pair token ring
d. FDDI
9. In which OSI layer does the FDDI protocol operate?
a. Physical
b. Data link
c. Network
d. A and b
10. Which project of 802 standard provides for collision-free protocols?
a. 802.2 c. 802.5
b. 802.3 d. 802.6

11. Explain how CSMA/CD works
12. Explain how token passing works
13. Explain the how the FDMA channel access method works
Answer Key
237

1. B 5. D 9. D
2. B 6. D 10. C
3. C 7. B
4. C 8. D
11. The basic idea behind CSMA/CD is that a station needs to be able to receive while
transmitting to detect a collision. When there is no collision, the station receives one
signal: its own signal. When there is a collision, the station receives two signals: its
own signal and the signal transmitted by a second station. To distinguish between
these two cases, the received signals in these two cases must be significantly different.
In other words, the signal from the second station needs to add a significant amount of
energy to the one created by the first station.
12. In the token-passing method, the stations in a network are organized in a logical ring.
In other words, for each station, there is a predecessor and a successor. The
predecessor is the station which is logically before the station in the ring; the
successor is the station which is after the station in the ring. The current station is the
one that is accessing the channel now. The right to this access has been passed from
the predecessor to the current station. The right will be passed to the successor when
the current station has no more data to send
13. In frequency-division multiple access (FDMA), the available bandwidth is divided

into frequency bands. Each station is allocated a band to send its data. In other words,
each band is reserved for a specific station, and it belongs to the station all the time.
Each station also uses a band pass filter to confine the transmitter frequencies. To
prevent station interferences, the allocated bands are separated from one another by
small guard bands. FDMA specifies a predetermined frequency band for the entire
238

period of communication. This means that stream data (a continuous flow of data that
may not be packetized) can easily be used with FDMA
Unit 5
Connecting LAN’s, Backbone networks, virtual LAN’s
Summary
LANs do not normally operate in isolation. They are connected to one another or to the
Internet. To connect LANs, or segments of LANs, we use connecting devices. Connecting
devices can operate in different layers of the Internet model.
A repeater is a connecting device that operates in the physical layer of the Internet model. A
repeater regenerates a signal, connects segments of a LAN, and has no filtering capability. A
bridge is a connecting device that operates in the physical and data link layers of the Internet
model. A transparent bridge can forward and filter frames and automatically build its
forwarding table. A bridge can use the spanning tree algorithm to create a loop less topology.
A backbone LAN allows several LANs to be connected. A backbone is usually a bus or a
star. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is configured by software, not by physical wiring.
Membership in a VLAN can be based on port numbers, MAC addresses, IP addresses, IP
multicast addresses, or a combination of these features. VLANs are cost- and time-efficient,
can reduce network traffic, and provide an extra measure of security.
General Objective
To understand the different ways of connecting LAN’s, backbone network and VLAN’s
Specific Objectives
At end of the unit students are expected to:
 Understand LAN connecting devices
o Explain the operations of Hubs
239

 Describe Hub operation
 Describe Hub features
 Describe Peer versus stand alone hubs
 Describe intelligent Hubs
 Describe multi architecture Hubs
o Explain operations of Switches
 Describe operations of switches
 Describe two layer switches
 Describe three layer switches
o Explain the operations of repeaters
 Describe repeaters and network architecture
 Describe repeater to repeater connection
o Explain the operations of routers
 Describe Route Discovery
 Describe Router Operation
 Describe Router Groupings
 Describe Router Protocols
o Explain operations of bridges
 Bridges versus Routers, Brouters, and Repeaters
 Protocol Independence of Bridges
 Packet Transmission
 Types of Bridges
o Explain the operations of gateways
 Gateways in Networks
 Gateway Operation
 Gateway Categories
 Understand backbone networks
240

o Explain bus backbone network
o Explain star backbone network
o Explain connecting remote LANs
 Understand virtual LAN
o Describe VLAN membership
o Describe VLAN configuration
1. Differentiate among the following types of LAN switches
i. Store and forward
ii. Cut through
2. Describe the working mechanism of ISL protocol for VLAN
3. How does VLAN reduce network traffic?
4. What do we mean when we say that a bridge can filter traffic? Why is filtering
important?
5. Write the operations of distance vector and link state routing algorithms
6. How is a repeater different from amplifier
7. Describe operations of bus and star backbone networks

1. Which of the following uses greater number of layers in OSI model?
a. Bridge
b. Repeater
c. Router
d. Gateway
241

2. A bridge forwards or filters a packet comparing the information in its address
table to the packet’s___________
a. Layer 2 source address
b. Source node’s physical address
c. Layer 2 destination address
d. Layer 3 destination address
3. A simple bridge does which of the following?
a. Filters a data packet
b. Forwards a data picket
c. Extends LAN’s
d. All of the above
4. Which of the following are bridge types?
a. Simple,complex,learning
b. Simple, learning, multiport
c. Simple , complex, multiport
d. Spanning ,contract, suspension
5. The shortest path in routing refers to ______
a. The least expensive path
b. The least distant path
c. The path with smallest number of hops
d. Any or combination of then above
6. Gateways function in which OSI layers?
a. The lower three
b. The upper four
c. All seven
d. All but the physical layer
7. A repeater takes a weakened signal and __________ it
242

a. Amplifies
b. Regenerates
c. Resamples
d. Reroutes
8. In distance vector routing each router receives vectors from_________
a. Every router in the network
b. Every router less than two units away
c. A table stored by the software
d. It’s neighbours only
9. In link state routing , flooding allows changes to be recorded by _______
a. All routers
b. Neighbour routers only
c. Some routers
d. All networks
10. For which of the following would you not need to provide a crossover cable?
a. Connecting uplinks between switches
b. Connecting routers to switches
c. Connecting hub to hub
d. Connecting hub to hub

11. Write the three distinct functions of layer2 switching
12. Describe the difference between static and dynamic VLAN
13. Describe the active and passive hubs
Answer key
1. D 3. D 5. D
2. C 4. B 6. C
243

7. B 9. A
8. D 10. B
11. There are three distinct functions of layer-2 switching:

Address learning:
Layer-2 switches and bridges remember the source hardware address of each frame
received on an interface and enter this information into a MAC database.
Forward/filter decisions: When a frame is received on an interface, the switch looks
at the destination hardware address and finds the exit interface in the MAC database.
Loop avoidance: If multiple connections between switches are created for
redundancy, network loops can occur. The Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) is used to
stop network loops and allow redundancy.
12. Static VLANs are the typical way of creating VLANs and the most secure. The switch
port that you assign a VLAN association always maintains that association until an
administrator changes the port assignment. This type of VLAN configuration is easy
to set up and monitor, working well in a network where the movement of users within
the network is controlled. Using network management software to configure the ports
can be helpful but is not mandatory.
Dynamic VLANs determine a node’s VLAN assignment automatically. Using

intelligent management software, you can enable hardware (MAC) addresses,
protocols, or even applications to create dynamic VLANs. For example, suppose
MAC addresses have been entered into a centralized VLAN management application.
If a node is then attached to an unassigned switch port, the VLAN management
database can look up the hardware address and assign and configure the switch port to
the correct VLAN. This can make management and configuration easier for the
244

administrator. If a user moves, the switch will automatically assign them to the correct
VLAN. However, more administration is needed initially to set up the database.
13. Passive Hubs
A passive hub is just a connector. It connects the wires coming from different
branches. In a star-topology Ethernet LAN, a passive hub is just a point where the
signals coming from different stations collide; the hub is the collision point. This type
of a hub is part of the media; its location in the Internet model is below the physical
layer.
Active Hubs
An active hub is actually a multipart repeater. It is normally used to create
connections between stations in a physical star topology. We have seen examples of
hubs in some Ethernet implementations (10Base-T, for example). However, hubs can
also be used to create multiple levels of hierarchy
Unit 6
Wide Area Networks
Summary
To understand WAN technologies, you need to understand the different WAN terms
and connection types that can be used to connect your networks together. This unit
focuses the different WAN terms and connection types typically used by service
providers. Leased line, circuit switching and packet switching are types of
connections to be used. The unit also focuses on different WAN technologies like ,
Distributed Queue Dual Bus (DQDB) ,Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
(SDH),Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
General Objective:
To understand different WAN connections and technologies
245

Specific Objectives:
At the end of the unit students are expected to
 Understand the concept of WAN
o Describe WAN connection types
 Describe leased line connection
 Describe circuit switching
 Describe packet switching
Describe WAN technologies
 Describe Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
 Describe Synchronous Optical Network (SONET)
 Describe Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
 Frame relay
 Describe integrated services digital network(ISDN)

1. What is the relationship between SONET and SDH?
2. There are no sequence numbers in Frame Relay. Why?
3. How is an ATM virtual connection identified?
4. Briefly describe the issues involved in using ATM technology in LANs.
5. Discuss the Frame Relay physical layer.

Choose the best answer
1. ATM can use__________ as transmission medium
b. Coaxial cable
c. Fiber optic cable
246

d. All of the above
2. Which layer in ATM protocol reformats the data received from other networks?
a. Physical
b. ATM
c. Application adaptation
d. Data adaptation
3. Which AAL type can best process a data stream having a non constant bit rate?
a. AAL1
b. AAL2
c. AAL3/4
d. AAL5
4. SONET is a standard for ___________ networks
b. Coaxial cable
c. Ethernet
d. Fiber optic cable
5. SONET’s ___________layer correspond to the OSI model’s physical layer
a. Path
b. Line
c. Section
d. Photonic
6. The optical link between two SONET devices is called_______
a. Section
b. Line
c. Path
d. None of the above
7. What does the ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) provide?
247

b. 23 B channels and one 64Kbps D channel
c. Total bit rate of up to 1.544Mbps
d. Two 56Kbps B channels and one 64Kbps D channel
e. Two 64Kbps B channels and one 16Kbps D channel
8. Describe the leased line, circuit switching and packet switching WAN connection
types
9. Discuss the functions of each SONET layer
10. Name the ATM layers
Answer Key 4. D
1. D 5. C
2. C 6. A
3. B 7. B
8. The following are WAN connection types:

Leased lines Typically referred to as a point-to-point or dedicated connection. It is a
pre-established WAN communications path from the CPE, through the DCE switch, to
the CPE of the remote site, allowing DTE networks to communicate at any time with no
setup procedures before transmitting data. It uses synchronous serial lines up to 45Mbps.
Circuit switching
Sets up line like a phone call. No data can transfer before the end-to-end connection is
established. Uses dial-up modems and ISDN. It is used for low-bandwidth data transfers.
Packet switching
WAN switching method that allows you to share bandwidth with other companies to
save money. Think of packet switching networks as a party line. As long as you are not
constantly transmitting data and are instead using bursty data transfers, packet switching
248

can save you a lot of money. However, if you have constant data transfers, then you will
need to get a leased line. Frame Relay and X.25 are packetswitching technologies.
Speeds can range from 56Kbps to 2.048Mbps
9. The following are SONET layers and their functions
Path Layer
The path layer is responsible for the movement of a signal from its optical source to its
optical destination. At the optical source, the signal is changed from an electronic form
into an optical form, multiplexed with other signals, and encapsulated in a frame. At the
optical destination, the received frame is demultiplexed, and the individual optical
signals are changed back into their electronic forms. Path layer overhead is added at this
layer. STS multiplexers provide path layer functions.
Line Layer
The line layer is responsible for the movement of a signal across a physical line. Line
layer overhead is added to the frame at this layer. STS multiplexers and add/drop
multiplexers provide line layer functions.
Section Layer
The section layer is responsible for the movement of a signal across a physical section.
It handles framing, scrambling, and error control. Section layer overhead is added to the
frame at this layer.
Photonic Layer
The photonic layer corresponds to the physical layer of the OSI model. It includes
physical specifications for the optical fiber channel, the sensitivity of the receiver,
multiplexing functions, and so on. SONET uses NRZ encoding with the presence of light
representing 1 and the absence of light representing 0
10. The following are ATM layers and their function
A. Application adaptation layer (AAL)
B. ATM Layer
249

C. Physical Layer
Unit 7
Network Security
Summary
The increase in attacks of message during transmission coincides with an increased
use of the Internet and with increases in the complexity of protocols, applications,
and the Internet itself. Critical infrastructures increasingly rely on the Internet for
operations. Individual users rely on the security of the Internet, email, the Web, and
Web-based applications to a greater extent than ever. Thus, a wide range of
technologies and tools are needed to counter the growing threat. At a basic level,
cryptographic algorithms for confidentiality and authentication assume greater
importance. As well, designers need to focus on Internet-based protocols and the
vulnerabilities of attached operating systems and applications.
Thus network security typically deals applying different cryptographic techniques in
order secure a message selecting different protocols and algorithms to counter
measure attacks
General objective
To understand the different network security techniques
Specific Objectives
At the end of this unit students are expected to :
 Describe Security Trends
 Explain The OSI Security Architecture
 Explain Security Attacks
250

o Explain Passive Attacks and Active Attacks
 Describe Security Services
o Authentication
o Access Control
o Data Confidentiality
o Data Integrity
o Nonrepudiation
o Availability Service
o Security Mechanisms
 Describe Confidentiality with Symmetric Encryption
o Explain Symmetric Encryption
o Explain Encryption Algorithms
o Explain Location of Encryption Devices
 Describe Message Authentication and Hash Functions
 Describe Public-Key Encryption and Digital Signature
o Explain Public Key Encryption
o Explain Digital Signature
o Explain The RSA Public-Key Encryption Algorithm
o Explain Key Management
251

 Describe Secure Socket Layer and Transport Layer Security
o Explain SSL Architecture
 Describe IP security and email security
o Explain IPV4 and IPV6 securities
o Explain the scope of IPSec
1. Differentiate between security services and mechanisms
2. Define the following terms
a. Cryptography
b. Cryptanalysis
3. What are important features of symmetric encryption
4. Describe the hash function properties and procedures
5. Differentiate between public and private keys
6. Explain the key management techniques used in public crypto system
7. Write the digital signature algorithm and its properties
8. Explain the SSL architecture
252

1. Differentiate between active and passive attacks
2. Describe the meaning of the following security services
a. Access control
b. Non repudiation
c. Authentication
3. Define the following basic terminologies
a. Plain text
b. Cipher text
c. Cipher
d. Key
e. Encryption
f. Decryption
4. Explain how cryptographic systems are characterized
5. Describe the message authentication code (MAC) procedures
6. Write essential differences of symmetric(conventional) and asymmetric(public key)

encryption
7. Write the RSA public key encryption/decryption algorithm
253

8. What are IPSec services?
9. Write the PGP operations used for email security
Answer key
1. Passive attacks are in the nature of eavesdropping on, or monitoring of, transmissions.
The goal of the opponent is to obtain information that is being transmitted
Active attacks involve some modification of the data stream or the creation of a false
stream and can be subdivided into four categories: masquerade, replay, modification
of messages, and denial of service
2. Access Control - prevention of the unauthorized use of a resource
Non-Repudiation - protection against denial by one of the parties in a in
Communication
Authentication - assurance that the communicating entity is the one claimed
3. Basic terminologies definition
a. plaintext - original message
b. cipher text - coded message
c. cipher - algorithm for transforming plaintext to cipher text
d. key - info used in cipher known only to sender/receiver
e. Encryption - converting plaintext to cipher text
f. Decryption - recovering cipher text from plaintext
254

4. Cryptographic systems are characterized by
a. type of encryption operations used
i. substitution / transposition / product
b. number of keys used
i. single-key or private / two-key or public
c. way in which plaintext is processed
i. block / stream
5. Message authentication code MAC works as follows
 Generated by an algorithm that creates a small fixed-sized block
 depending on both message and some key
 like encryption though need not be reversible
 appended to message as a signature
 receiver performs same computation on message and checks it matches the

MAC
 provides assurance that message is unaltered and comes from sender
p
r
o
v
i
255

des
Where
M= input message
C = MAC function
K = shared secret key
MAC = message authentication code
6.
Conventional encryption Public key encryption
• The same algorithm with • One algorithm is used for

the same key is used for encryption and decryption with
encryption and a pair of keys, one for encryption
decryption. and one for decryption.
• The sender and receiver • The sender and receiver must

must share the algorithm each have one of the matched
and the key pair of keys (not the same one)
• One algorithm is used for • One of the two keys must be kept
encryption and secret.
decryption with a pair of
keys, one for encryption
and one for decryption.
• The sender and receiver

must each have one of
the matched pair of keys
(not the same one).
256

7. RSA encryption and decryption algorithms are stated as follows
8. The
follow
ing
descri
bes
257

IPSec services
 Access control
 Connectionless integrity
 Data origin authentication
 Rejection of replayed packets
 a form of partial sequence integrity
 Confidentiality (encryption)
 Limited traffic flow confidentiality
9. PGP operations for email authentication are

a. sender creates message
b. use SHA-1 to generate 160-bit hash of message
c. signed hash with RSA using sender's private key, and is attached to message
d. receiver uses RSA with sender's public key to decrypt and recover hash code
receiver verifies received message using hash of it and compares with
decrypted hash code
258

Network Study Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Network Study Guide

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Network Study Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

St.

Mary’s University College

Department of Computer Science

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Introduction to data communication and Network

A network is a set of communication devices connected by media links. In a point-to-point

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Self test Problems without answer key

Self test Problems with answer key

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

- Eliminates traffic problem

- Extensive cabling and more number of

- Easy to install and configure

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

- Difficult re connection and

- Easy to install and configure

- Simple fault isolation

- Single point of failure

14. For six devices arranged in a fully connected mesh topology:

Number of cables needed = 6x(6-1)/2=15

Number of ports needed for each device=6-1=5

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Self test problem with answer key

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Answer the following questions

11. IPV6 Header format is as follows

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

14. IP address: 255.255.192.0

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

1. How do guided media differ from unguided media?

Self test problems with answer key

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Self test problems without answer key

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Self test problems with answer key

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Answer the following questions

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

13. In frequency-division multiple access (FDMA), the available bandwidth is divided

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Self test problems with answer key

Choose the best answer for the following

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Degree Exit Exam Study Guides

Answer the following questions