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Computer Network Answers Tanenbaum Book Fifth Edition

The document discusses some of the disadvantages of using small, fixed-length cells in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks. It notes that while ATM provides advantages like high-speed data transfer, the use of fixed-length cells can lead to issues like high header overhead, inefficient use of bandwidth for variable-length data, added complexity in network adaptation layers, increased delay and jitter for real-time applications, and challenges in scaling to higher network speeds. The document also provides a list of potential reasons for why a client's response time may be larger than the best-case delay, such as system load, network latency, server processing times, queuing effects, and other factors relating to resources, databases, software,

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135 views4 pages

Computer Network Answers Tanenbaum Book Fifth Edition

The document discusses some of the disadvantages of using small, fixed-length cells in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks. It notes that while ATM provides advantages like high-speed data transfer, the use of fixed-length cells can lead to issues like high header overhead, inefficient use of bandwidth for variable-length data, added complexity in network adaptation layers, increased delay and jitter for real-time applications, and challenges in scaling to higher network speeds. The document also provides a list of potential reasons for why a client's response time may be larger than the best-case delay, such as system load, network latency, server processing times, queuing effects, and other factors relating to resources, databases, software,

Uploaded by

Denisa Sinanaj
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Computer network answers Tanenbaum book fifth edition:

1-Whatarethedisadvantagesofusingsmall,fixed-lengthcellsinATM?

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a telecommunications standard that uses fixed-length cells for
data transmission. While ATM has several advantages, such as high-speed data transfer and efficient use
of bandwidth, it also has some disadvantages when it comes to using small, fixed-length cells. Here are
some of the disadvantages:

Header Overhead: ATM cells have a fixed size of 53 bytes, with 5 bytes dedicated to the header. This
results in a relatively high header overhead (about 9.4%). In some cases, the header overhead may be
considered wasteful, especially for short data payloads.

Inefficiency for Variable-Length Data: When transmitting variable-length data, such as voice or video, the
fixed-length cells may lead to inefficient use of bandwidth. In cases where the payload is smaller than
the cell size, there can be a waste of bandwidth.

Complexity in Adaptation Layer: Adapting variable-length data to fixed-length cells requires the use of
an adaptation layer. This adaptation layer adds complexity to the system and may introduce processing
overhead.

Delay and Jitter: The fixed-length cells may lead to higher delay and jitter for variable-length data. In
real-time applications, such as voice and video streaming, delay and jitter can impact the quality of the
service.

Scalability Challenges: As network speeds increase, the fixed-length cell size may become less scalable.
Higher-speed networks may benefit from larger packet sizes to make more efficient use of available
bandwidth.

Backward Compatibility Issues: ATM networks with fixed-length cells may face challenges when
integrating with networks that use variable-length packets, as adaptation mechanisms are needed to
bridge the gap.

Complex Switching Mechanisms: ATM switches need to perform cell switching, which requires more
complex and expensive hardware compared to traditional packet-switched networks. This complexity
can result in higher costs for implementing and maintaining ATM networks.
Limited Error Recovery: The fixed-length nature of ATM cells provides limited error recovery options. If a
cell is lost or corrupted, the entire cell is lost, which may impact the integrity of the transmitted data.

Higher Implementation Costs: Implementing and maintaining an ATM network can be more expensive
compared to other networking technologies, partly due to the need for specialized hardware and the
complexity of cell-switching mechanisms.

It's worth noting that while ATM was once widely used, it has been largely superseded by other
networking technologies like Ethernet for most applications. The disadvantages listed above played a
role in limiting the widespread adoption of ATM, particularly for general-purpose networking.

2-Providealistofreasonsforwhytheresponsetimeofaclientmaybelarger thanthe best-


casedelay.
The response time of a client in a computer system can be influenced by various factors, and it may be
larger than the best-case delay for a number of reasons. Here's a list of potential factors that can
contribute to an increased response time:

System Load:

High system load or congestion on the server can lead to delays in processing client requests.

Network Latency:

The time it takes for data to travel between the client and server over a network can introduce delays,
especially in situations with high latency or unreliable connections.

Server Processing Time:

Complex computations or resource-intensive tasks on the server side can increase the time it takes to
generate a response.

Concurrency and Queuing:


If multiple client requests are competing for resources or are queued for processing, it can result in
longer response times.

Server Resource Limitations:

Insufficient server resources, such as CPU, memory, or disk space, can impact the server's ability to
respond quickly to client requests.

Database Access Time:

When a client request involves database operations, the time it takes to retrieve or update data from a
database can contribute to increased response times.

Client-Side Processing:

The time it takes for the client to process the received data or perform additional tasks locally can
impact overall response time.

Middleware Delays:

If the system relies on middleware or other intermediary components, delays in these layers can add to
the overall response time.

Content Size:

The size of the data being transmitted between the client and server can influence response time,
especially in scenarios with large payloads.

Packet Loss and Retransmission:

Network issues such as packet loss can lead to the need for retransmission, causing delays in the
communication between client and server.

Caching Mechanisms:

If the system relies on caching, the time it takes to check and update caches can affect response times.

Security Measures:
Security protocols and measures, such as encryption and authentication, can introduce additional
processing time on both the client and server sides.

Geographical Distance:

Physical distance between the client and server can contribute to increased network latency, especially
in distributed or globally distributed systems.

Software Bugs or Issues:

Bugs or inefficiencies in the client or server software can lead to unexpected delays.

Quality of Service (QoS) Constraints:

Network policies or Quality of Service constraints may prioritize certain types of traffic over others,
affecting response times.

It's important to note that response time is a complex metric influenced by various factors, and the
interplay of these factors can lead to variations in the observed response times. Analyzing and
optimizing each of these factors can contribute to improving overall system responsiveness.

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