PART A (5x2 = 10 marks)

1. What is a network? And what are the benefits of networks?

 Network Definition:
A network is a collection of interconnected devices (computers, printers, servers) that
communicate with each other to share resources and data.

 Benefits of Networks:

1. Resource Sharing: Devices like printers and files can be shared.

2. Data Accessibility: Centralized data storage allows easy access and backup.

3. Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs by sharing hardware and software.

4. Collaboration: Enables real-time communication through emails, video calls, etc.

2. Differentiate Guided and Unguided Medium.

 Guided Medium: Physical paths like cables (e.g., coaxial, fiber optics) through which data
signals travel.

o Example: Ethernet cable.

o Advantages: High security and controlled signal paths.

 Unguided Medium: Wireless communication that transmits signals through air or space.

o Example: Wi-Fi, satellite.

o Advantages: Flexibility and mobility.

3. Discriminate Bandwidth and Latency. What is the difference between MAC and IP addresses?

 Bandwidth vs. Latency:

o Bandwidth: The amount of data transmitted per second (e.g., Mbps).

o Latency: The time it takes for a data packet to travel from source to destination.

 MAC vs. IP Address:

o MAC Address: Unique hardware address assigned to a device’s network interface

o IP Address: Logical address used for locating devices on a network.

4. Define Bandwidth and Latency.

 Bandwidth: The maximum data transfer rate of a network connection. It measures how
much data can be transmitted in a given amount of time.
  Latency: The delay between sending a data packet and receiving a response, typically
measured in milliseconds (ms).

5. What is Piggybacking?

 Definition:
Piggybacking is a method used in networking where acknowledgment information is
combined with outgoing data frames, rather than sending it separately.

o Advantage: Reduces overhead by combining data and acknowledgment in one

PART B (5x2 = 10 marks)

1. List the advantages of Connection-Oriented Services over Connectionless Services.

 Advantages:

1. Reliable data transfer as packets are delivered in order.

2. Error detection and correction mechanisms ensure data integrity.

3. End-to-end communication guarantees delivery through established paths.

2. How does the Fast Retransmit mechanism of TCP work?

 Explanation:

1. TCP uses duplicate acknowledgments to detect packet loss before the timeout.

2. When three duplicate ACKs are received, the sender assumes packet loss.

3. The lost packet is retransmitted immediately, improving efficiency.

3. Mention the services provided by the Transport Layer Protocol.

 Services:

1. End-to-end communication between devices.

2. Error detection and correction.

3. Flow control to avoid overwhelming the receiver.

4. Multiplexing to handle multiple connections.

4. How does UDP address flow control?

 Explanation:
UDP does not provide flow control as it is a connectionless protocol. It delivers data without
 ensuring proper sequencing or congestion management, relying on the application layer to
handle these functions.

5. Outline the need for switching techniques in networks.

 Need for Switching:

1. Efficient data transmission by managing multiple connections.

2. Ensures scalability for larger networks.

3. Optimizes bandwidth utilization and reduces delays.

Additional Questions

1. What is meant by bit stuffing? Give an example.

 Definition: Bit stuffing is a technique used in data transmission to prevent confusion with
control signals by inserting non-information bits into the data stream.

o Example: If the flag sequence is 01111110 and the data contains five consecutive 1s,
a 0 is added to break the pattern: 0111110.

2. Draw the frame format of Ethernet.

 Ethernet Frame Format:

1. Preamble (7 bytes): Synchronizes receiver and sender clocks.

2. Start Frame Delimiter (1 byte): Indicates start of the frame.

3. Destination MAC (6 bytes): Identifies the recipient.

4. Source MAC (6 bytes): Identifies the sender.

5. Type/Length (2 bytes): Indicates protocol or payload size.

6. Data (46-1500 bytes): Contains the payload.

7. FCS (4 bytes): Frame Check Sequence for error checking.

3. Compare Static and Dynamic IP with an example.

 Static IP: Fixed IP address manually assigned to a device.

o Example: A web server with an unchanging address for public access.

 Dynamic IP: IP address assigned temporarily by a DHCP server.

o Example: Devices on a Wi-Fi network that receive a new IP address on reconnection.

4. Multicast:
  Definition: A communication method where data is sent to a group of devices rather than a
single device or all devices.

o Example: Video conferencing or live streaming where only specific participants

5. Line Rate:

 The speed at which data is transmitted over a communication line, typically measured in bits
per second (bps).

6. FTP Commands (3 Examples):

 GET: Downloads a file from the server.

 PUT: Uploads a file to the server.

 LS: Lists the files and directories on the server.

4o