Basic Networking Questions and Answers:

3 :: What are the possible ways of data exchange?

(i) Simplex
(ii) Half-duplex
(iii) Full-duplex.

4 :: What are 10Base2, 10Base5 and 10BaseT Ethernet LANs?

10Base2�An Ethernet term meaning a maximum transfer rate of 10 Megabits per second that
uses baseband signaling, with a contiguous cable segment length of 100 meters and a maximum
of 2 segments
10Base5�An Ethernet term meaning a maximum transfer rate of 10 Megabits per second that
uses baseband signaling, with 5 continuous segments not exceeding 100 meters per segment.
10BaseT�An Ethernet term meaning a maximum transfer rate of 10 Megabits per second that
uses baseband signaling and twisted pair cabling.

5 :: What is point-to-point protocol?

A communications protocol used to connect computers to remote networking services including

Internet service providers.

6 :: What is subnet in Networking?

A gateway operates at the upper levels of the OSI model and translates information between two
completely different network architectures or data formats.

7 :: What is subnet?

A generic term for section of a large networks usually separated by a bridge or router.
Subnetting is the process of breaking down those larger IP networks into smaller sub-networks

8 :: What is cladding in Networking?

A layer of a glass surrounding the center fiber of glass inside a fiber-optic cable.

10 :: What is RAID?

A method for providing fault tolerance by using multiple hard disk drives to get backups of data.

11 :: What is mesh network?

A network in which there are multiple network links between computers to provide multiple
paths for data to travel.

What is DNS? How it works?

15 :: Explain the function of Transmission Control Block?

A TCB is a complex data structure that contains a considerable amount of information about
each connection.

16 :: What is virtual path?

Along any transmission path from a given source to a given destination, a group of virtual
circuits can be grouped together into what is called path.

What is FTP?

18 :: What is anonymous FTP and why would you use it?

Anonymous FTP enables users to connect to a host without using a valid login and
password. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\Usually, anonymous FTP uses a login called anonymous or guest, with the
password usually requesting the user's ID for tracking purposes only. Anonymous FTP is used to
enable a large number of users to access files on the host without having to go to the trouble of
setting up logins for them all. Anonymous FTP systems usually have strict controls over the
areas an anonymous user can access.

19 :: Difference between bit rate and baud rate?

Bit rate is the number of bits transmitted during one second whereas baud rate refers to the
number of signal units per second that are required to represent those bits.
baud rate = bit rate / N
where N is no-of-bits represented by each signal shift.

20 :: What are the important topologies for networks?

BUS topology:
In this each computer is directly connected to primary network cable in a single line.
Advantages:
Inexpensive, easy to install, simple to understand, easy to extend.
STAR topology:
In this all computers are connected using a central hub.
Advantages:
Can be inexpensive, easy to install and reconfigure and easy to trouble shoot physical problems.
RING topology:
In this all computers are connected in loop.
Advantages:
All computers have equal access to network media, installation can be simple, and signal does
not degrade as much as in other topologies because each computer regenerates it.

range of IP addresses in the classes of internet addresses are as under...

Class A 0.0.0.0 - 127.255.255.255

Class B 128.0.0.0 - 191.255.255.255
Class C 192.0.0.0 - 223.255.255.255
Class D 224.0.0.0 - 239.255.255.255
Class E 240.0.0.0 - 247.255.255.255

22 :: What protocol is used by DNS name servers?

DNS uses UDP for communication between servers. It is a better choice than TCP because of the
improved speed a connectionless protocol offers. Of course, transmission reliability suffers with
UDP.

23 :: What is Bandwidth?

Every line has an upper limit and a lower limit on the frequency of signals it can carry. This
limited range is called the bandwidth.

24 :: What is External Data Representation?

External Data Representation is a method of encoding data within an RPC message, used to
ensure that the data is not system-dependent.

25 :: What is frame relay, in which layer it comes?

Frame relay is a packet switching technology. It will operate in the data link layer.

26 :: What is Brouter?

Hybrid devices that combine the features of both bridges and routers.

27 :: What is ICMP?

ICMP is Internet Control Message Protocol, a network layer protocol of the TCP/IP suite used by
hosts and gateways to send notification of datagram problems back to the sender. It uses the echo
test / reply to test whether a destination is reachable and responding. It also handles both control
and error messages.

28 :: What is difference between baseband and broadband transmission?

In a baseband transmission, the entire bandwidth of the cable is consumed by a single signal. In
broadband transmission, signals are sent on multiple frequencies, allowing multiple signals to be
sent simultaneously.

29 :: Explain 5-4-3 rule?

In an Ethernet network, between any two points on the network, there can be no more than five
network segments or four repeaters, and of those five segments only three of segments can be
populated.

30 :: What is MAU?

In token Ring, hub is called Multi station Access Unit(MAU).

31 :: What is the difference between interior and exterior neighbor gateways?

Interior gateways connect LANs of one organization, whereas exterior gateways connect the
organization to the outside world.

32 :: What is autonomous system?

It is a collection of routers under the control of a single administrative authority and that uses a
common Interior Gateway Protocol.

33 :: What is a Multi-homed Host?

It is a host that has a multiple network interfaces and that requires multiple IP addresses is called
as a Multi-homed Host.

34 :: What is silly window syndrome?

It is a problem that can ruin TCP performance. This problem occurs when data are passed to the
sending TCP entity in large blocks, but an interactive application on the receiving side reads 1
byte at a time.

35 :: What is Project 802?

It is a project started by IEEE to set standards that enable intercommunication between

equipment from a variety of manufacturers. It is a way for specifying functions of the physical
layer, the data link layer and to some extent the network layer to allow for inter connectivity of
major LAN protocols.
It consists of the following:
802.1 is an inter networking standard for compatibility of different LANs and MANs across
protocols.
802.2 Logical link control (LLC) is the upper sublayer of the data link layer which is non-
architecture-specific, that is remains the same for all IEEE-defined LANs. Media access control
(MAC) is the lower sublayer of the data link layer that contains some distinct modules each
carrying proprietary information specific to the LAN product being used. The modules are
Ethernet LAN (802.3), Token ring LAN (802.4), Token bus LAN (802.5).
802.6 is distributed queue dual bus (DQDB) designed to be used in MANs.

36 :: What is Gateway-to-Gateway protocol?

It is a protocol formerly used to exchange routing information between Internet core routers.

37 :: What is BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)?

It is a protocol used to advertise the set of networks that can be reached with in an autonomous
system. BGP enables this information to be shared with the autonomous system. This is newer
than EGP (Exterior Gateway Protocol).

38 :: What is source route?

It is a sequence of IP addresses identifying the route a datagram must follow. A source route may
optionally be included in an IP datagram header.

39 :: What is NVT (Network Virtual Terminal)?

It is a set of rules defining a very simple virtual terminal interaction. The NVT is used in the start
of a Telnet session.

40 :: What is RIP (Routing Information Protocol)?

It is a simple protocol used to exchange information between the routers.

41 :: What is Mail Gateway?

It is a system that performs a protocol translation between different electronic mail delivery
protocols.

43 :: What is Kerberos in Networking?

It is an authentication service developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kerberos

uses encryption to prevent intruders from discovering passwords and gaining unauthorized
access to files.

44 :: What is OSPF?
It is an Internet routing protocol that scales well, can route traffic along multiple paths, and uses
knowledge of an Internet's topology to make accurate routing decisions.

45 :: What is IGP (Interior Gateway Protocol)?

It is any routing protocol used within an autonomous system.

46 :: What is EGP (Exterior Gateway Protocol)?

It is the protocol the routers in neighboring autonomous systems use to identify the set of
networks that can be reached within or via each autonomous system

48 :: Why should you care about the OSI Reference Model?

It provides a framework for discussing network operations and design.

49 :: What is NETBIOS and NETBEUI in Networking?

NETBIOS is a programming interface that allows I/O requests to be sent to and received from a
remote computer and it hides the networking hardware from applications.
NETBEUI is NetBIOS extended user interface. A transport protocol designed by Microsoft and
IBM for the use on small subnets.

50 :: What is traffic shaping?

One of the main causes of congestion is that traffic is often busy. If hosts could be made to
transmit at a uniform rate, congestion would be less common. Another open loop method to help
manage congestion is forcing the packet to be transmitted at a more predictable rate. This is
called traffic shaping.

51 :: What is logical link control?

One of two sub layers of the data link layer of OSI reference model, as defined by the IEEE 802
standard. This sub layer is responsible for maintaining the link between computers when they are
sending data across the physical network connection.

52 :: What is packet filter in Networking?

Packet filter is a standard router equipped with some extra functionality. The extra functionality
allows every incoming or outgoing packet to be inspected. Packets meeting some criterion are
forwarded normally. Those that fail the test are dropped.

54 :: What are the different type of networking / internetworking devices?

Repeater:
Also called a regenerator, it is an electronic device that operates only at physical layer. It
receives the signal in the network before it becomes weak, regenerates the original bit pattern
and puts the refreshed copy back in to the link.
Bridges:
These operate both in the physical and data link layers of LANs of same type. They divide a
larger network in to smaller segments. They contain logic that allow them to keep the traffic for
each segment separate and thus are repeaters that relay a frame only the side of the segment
containing the intended recipient and control congestion.
Routers:
They relay packets among multiple interconnected networks (i.e. LANs of different type). They
operate in the physical, data link and network layers. They contain software that enable them to
determine which of the several possible paths is the best for a particular transmission. Gateways:
They relay packets among networks that have different protocols (e.g. between a LAN and a
WAN). They accept a packet formatted for one protocol and convert it to a packet formatted for
another protocol before forwarding it. They operate in all seven layers of the OSI model.

56 :: What is the difference between routable and non - routable protocols?

Routable protocols can work with a router and can be used to build large networks. Non-
Routable protocols are designed to work on small, local networks and cannot be used with a
router.

57 :: What is multicast routing?

Sending a message to a group is called multicasting, and its routing algorithm is called multicast
routing.

58 :: What is SAP?

Series of interface points that allow other computers to communicate with the other layers of
network protocol stack is called SAP.

59 :: What are major types of networks and explain?

Server-based network.
Peer-to-peer network.

Peer-to-peer network, computers can act as both servers sharing resources and as clients using
the resources.
Server-based networks provide centralized control of network resources and rely on server
computers to provide security and network administration.

60 :: What are the types of Transmission media?

Signals are usually transmitted over some transmission media that are broadly classified in to
two categories:-
Guided Media:
These are those that provide a conduit from one device to another that include twisted-pair,
coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable. A signal traveling along any of these media is directed and is
contained by the physical limits of the medium. Twisted-pair and coaxial cable use metallic that
accept and transport signals in the form of electrical current. Optical fiber is a glass or plastic
cable that accepts and transports signals in the form of light.
Unguided Media:
This is the wireless media that transport electromagnetic waves without using a physical
conductor. Signals are broadcast either through air. This is done through radio communication,
satellite communication and cellular telephony.

61 :: What is terminal emulation, in which layer it comes?

Telnet is also called as terminal emulation. It belongs to application layer.

62 :: What is MAC address in Networking?

The address for a device as it is identified at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer in the
network architecture. MAC address is usually stored in ROM on the network adapter card and is
unique.

64 :: What are the data units at different layers of the TCP / IP protocol suite?

The data unit created at the application layer is called a message, at the transport layer the data
unit created is called either a segment or an user datagram, at the network layer the data unit
created is called the datagram, at the data link layer the datagram is encapsulated in to a frame
and finally transmitted as signals along the transmission media.

75 :: Difference between the communication and transmission?

Transmission is a physical movement of information and concern issues like bit polarity,
synchronization, clock etc.
Communication means the meaning full exchange of information between two communication
media.

81 :: What is ACID property?

ACID is a term coined by Andrew Router in 1983, which stands for Atomicity, Consistence,
Isolation and Durability.

82 :: What are the services provided by the Operating System?

Extended services - These are add-on modular software components that are layered on top of
base service.

84 :: What is Client/Server?

Clients and Servers are separate logical entities that work together over a network to accomplish
a task. Many systems with very different architectures that are connected together are also called
Client/Server.

Explain the classes of IP addresses. Why do we need them?

Class A:

Range: from 0.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255.

Leftmost bit: 0.

First 8 bits: netid.

Remaining 24 bits: hostid.

Class B:

Range: from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255.

Leftmost 2 bits: 10

First 16 bits: netid

Last 16 bits: the hostid

Class C:

Range: from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255.

Class C networks use the first 24 bits to determine the netid.

Leftmost 3 bits: 110

The next 21 bits define network.

8 bits define the hostid.

Class D:
First 4 bits: 1110

The remaining 28 bits define multicast addresses.

No netid or hostid in a class D address.

Addresses is used for multicasting.

Class E:

First 4 bits: 1111

Addresses reserved for special use on the Internet.

There is no netid or hostid in a class E address.

Telnet A TCP/IP protocol that provides terminal emulation to a remote host by

creating a virtual terminal. Secure CRT is one program that can be
installed on a user computer to create telnet sessions. This protocol
requires authentication via a username and password.
Hypertext Transfer Enables web browsing with the transmission of Hypertext Markup
Protocol (HTTP) Language (HTML) documents on the Internet.
Secure Hypertext Enables secure web browsing. A secure connection is indicated when the
Transfer Protocol URL begins with https:// or when there is a lock symbol at the lower-right
(HTTPS) corner of the web page that is being viewed.
File Transfer Protocol Enables a user to transfer files. Provides access to files and directories.
(FTP) Securely implemented with telnet, which allows remote authentication to
an FTP server.
Trivial File Transfer A bare-bones version of FTP that does not provide access to directories.
Protocol (TFTP) With TFTP you can just send and receive files. Unlike FTP, TFTP is not
secure and sends smaller blocks of data.
Domain Name Resolves hostnames such as www.cisco.com into IP addresses.
System (DNS)
Simple Mail Transfer Sends electronic mail across the network.
Protocol (SMTP)
Post Office Protocol Receives electronic mail by accessing an Internet server.
3 (POP3)
Network File System Enables users with different operating systems (for example, NT and
(NFS) Unix workstations) to share files.
Network News Offers access to Usenet newsgroup postings.
Transfer Protocol
(NNTP)
Simple Network Monitors the network and manages configurations. Collects statistics to
Management Protocol analyze network performance and ensure network security.
(SNMP)
Network Time Synchronizes clocks on the Internet to provide accurate local time on the
Protocol (NTP) user system.
Dynamic Host Works dynamically to provide an IP address, subnet mask, domain name,
Configuration and a default gateway for routers. Works with DNS and WINS (used for
Protocol (DHCP) NetBIOS addressing).

OSI Layer Control Information Name

Application Data
Presentatio  
n
Session  
Transport Segment
Network Packet
Data Link Frame
Physical Bit

 Bandwidth The total amount of information that can traverse a communications medium,
measured in bits per second. Measurement of bandwidth is helpful for network
performance analysis. Also, availability is increasing but limited.

UTP key characteristics include the following:

 Eight color-coded wires

 Four pairs

 Uses an RJ-45 connector

 Vulnerable to EMI

 Maximum, practical length is 100 meters

 10BASE-T, 100BaseT, and 1000BaseT ethernet standards

UTP can be broken down into six more categories. You may have heard someone talk about a
Cat5 cable. They are referring to a Category 5 UTP cable. Each category has different
characteristics:

 Category 1 Telephone cable that is not used for data transmission.

 Category 2 Data cable that can handle speeds up to 4Mbps. This is no longer fast enough
for networks today.

 Category 3 Data cable that can handle speeds up to 10Mbps. It is faster than the Cat2
cable, and this was quite popular until network speeds surpassed the 10Mbps threshold.

 Category 4 Data cable that can handle speeds up to 16Mbps. Meant to be used with token
ring.

 Category 5 Data cable that can handle speeds up to 100Mbps. This is currently the most
popular cable selection.

 Category 5e Data cable that can handle speeds up to 1Gbps. This is a popular choice for
Gigabit Ethernet networks.

 Category 6 This cable was created to exceed speeds of 1Gbps

Table 3.4. Summary of Ethernet 802.3 Characteristics

Standard Speed Maximum Distance Media Type Connector Used
10BASE-2 10Mbps 185m RG-58 coaxial BNC
10BASE-5 10Mbps 500m RG-58 coaxial BNC
10BASE-T 10Mbps 100m Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP or RJ-45
STP
10BASE- 10Mbps Up to 2km Fiber-optic SC or ST
FL

IPv4 Address Classes

  1st Octet 2nd Octet 3rd Octet 4th Octet

Class Network Host Host Host

A
Class B Network Network Host Host
 IPv4 Address Classes
  1st Octet 2nd Octet 3rd Octet 4th Octet

Class C Network Network Network Host

Routers

Routers join a minimum of two networks together to create a WAN