Chapter 7

OSI Data Link Layer

CCNA1-1 Chapter 7
 OSI Data Link Layer

Accessing the Media

CCNA1-2 Chapter 7
 OSI Data Link Layer

Provides
the user
interface
Segmentation
and managing
communications
Organize data
for network
Exchange data
transfer
over common
media

CCNA1-3 Chapter 7
 Supporting and Connecting to Upper Layer

• Two basic functions:

• Allows the upper layers to access

the media using framing.

• Controls how data is placed on

the media and received from the
media using media access
control (MAC) and error detection.

CCNA1-4 Chapter 7
 Supporting and Connecting to Upper Layer

Terminology

CCNA1-5 Chapter 7
 Supporting and Connecting to Upper Layer

Protocol governs how to Different protocols

format a frame for use on for different media
that media

Accept the frame

Decapsulate to a packet
Construct a new frame for the media
Forward the new frame

CCNA1-6 Chapter 7
 Controlling Transfer Across Local Media

• Layer 2 protocols specify the encapsulation of a packet into a

frame and the techniques for getting the encapsulated packet
on and off each media.

• The technique is termed the Media Access Control (MAC)

method.

• Different media might require a different MAC method.

• Each media type encountered can have different
characteristics. (Especially a router where several
different media types can co-exist.)

CCNA1-7 Chapter 7
 Controlling Transfer Across Local Media

WAN Header WAN Trailer

LAN Header Packet LAN Trailer

Different media…
Different characteristics…
Different MAC method…

CCNA1-8 Chapter 7
 Controlling Transfer Across Local Media

The protocol can be configured on

the device and determines the type
of encapsulation (MAC method).

Different media…
Different characteristics…
Different MAC method…

CCNA1-9 Chapter 7
 Creating a Frame

• The description of a
frame is the key
element of each
protocol.
• Different protocols
require different
information to
function properly.
• Which nodes are in communication with each other.
• When communication between individual nodes begins
and when it ends.
• Which errors occurred while the nodes communicated.
• Which nodes will communicate next.
CCNA1-10 Chapter 7
 Creating a Frame

• Frames travel the media as a stream of bits.

• The framing of the packet inserts control information in
specific fields……MORE DETAILS LATER…..
CCNA1-11 Chapter 7
 Connecting Upper-Layer Services to the Media

Network devices have

both a hardware and
software component.
CCNA1-12 Chapter 7
 Connecting Upper-Layer Services to the Media

• Data Link Layer prepares the packets from the upper layer
software processes for transmission over the physical media.
CCNA1-13 Chapter 7
 Standards

• Not defined by
RFCs as in the
other layers.

• Defined by
engineering
organizations.

CCNA1-14 Chapter 7
 Connecting Upper-Layer Services to the Media
IEEE

Logical Link Control (LLC) Sub-Layer

Frames the network layer packet
Identifies the network layer protocol

Media Access Control (MAC) Sub-Layer

Addresses the frame
Marks the beginning and end of the frame

CCNA1-15 Chapter 7
 Placing Data on the Media

• Regulating the placement of data on the media is termed

Media Access Control.

Media sharing: If and how the nodes share the media.

Topology: How the connection appears to the Data Link Layer.

CCNA1-16 Chapter 7
 MAC for Shared Media

• Two Basic Methods:

More in Chapter 9
CCNA1-17 Chapter 7
 MAC for Non-Shared Media

• Point-to-Point Connections: Type of communication.

Half
FullDuplex
Duplex

CCNA1-18 Chapter 7
 Logical Topology vs Physical Topology

• Physical Topology:
• Arrangement of the nodes and the physical connections
between them (More in Chapter 9).
• Logical Topology:
• The way a network transfers frames among nodes. The
use of virtual connections between the nodes regardless
of the actual physical connection.
• Point-to-Point
• Multiaccess
• Ring

CCNA1-19 Chapter 7
 Point-to-Point Logical Topology

• Concerned with full or half duplex.

CCNA1-20 Chapter 7
 Multiaccess Logical Topology

• Enables a number of nodes to communicate using the same

shared media.
A sends to E
Check for other
transmissions
Media available
Transmit
X
X X I’ll wait……
Media NOT available
Check for other
B needs to send to D transmissions
CCNA1-21 Chapter 7
 Ring Logical Topology

• Each node receives a frame in turn. If it is not addressed to

the node, it passes it on.

Yes
Is it for me?
No

A sends to D Is it for me?

No
Is it for me?

CCNA1-22 Chapter 7
 OSI Data Link Layer

Addressing and Framing Data

CCNA1-23 Chapter 7
 The Frame

• There are many

different Data Link
Layer protocols….
• The Data Link
Layer protocol
describes the
features required
for the transport
of frames.
• Integrated into the encapsulation process.
• No single frame protocol meets the needs of all data
transportation across all types of media.
CCNA1-24 Chapter 7
 The Frame

• However, each Data Link Layer protocol is constructed using

the same basic format.
• It’s the contents that differ….

Header Data Trailer

CCNA1-25 Chapter 7
 Framing: Role of the Header

• Contains the control information required by the protocol.

• Some sample fields……
• Start of Frame
• Source and Destination MAC Addresses
• Priority/Quality of Service
• Type/Length
• Logical Connection Control
• Physical Link Control
• Flow Control
• Congestion Control

CCNA1-26 Chapter 7
 Framing: Role of the Header

Specific bit sequence

that indicates to the For example:
receiving device that
the frame starts here.

Header

Start Address Type/Length

Data Trailer

The source and A code identifying the type of frame

destination MAC OR
addresses. the total length of the frame.

CCNA1-27 Chapter 7
 Addressing: Where the Frame Goes

• The addresses used this layer are referred to as physical

addresses.
• They are the burned-in MAC addresses of the network device
(PC: NIC, Router: Physical port).
• They are only used for local delivery.
• If the frame must be transported to another segment, the
frame is re-encapsulated by the receiving device and
forwarded.

Header

Start Address Type/Length

Data Trailer

CCNA1-28 Chapter 7
 Addressing: Where the Frame Goes

OR send as a
broadcast

• The Data Link Layer protocol will define the addressing

required to move the frame through the network.
CCNA1-29 Chapter 7
 Framing: Role of the Trailer

Frame Check Sequence (FCS): Used to provide basic error

checking, usually with a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC).
- Sending device uses an algorithm on the bits of the
header and data portions.
- The resulting value is placed in the FCS field.
- Receiving device does the same thing.
- If the values match – no error.
- If the values do not match – frame discarded.

Trailer
Header Data FCS Stop

A specific sequence of bits that indicate the end of the frame.

CCNA1-30 Chapter 7
 Sample: Data Link Layer Frames

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

High Level Data Link
Control Protocol (HDLC)

Frame Relay
Protocol

Ethernet
Protocol

CCNA1-31 Chapter 7
 Ethernet Protocol for LANs

CCNA1-32 Chapter 7
 Point-to-Point Protocol for WANs

CCNA1-33 Chapter 7
 Wireless Protocol for LANs

CCNA1-34 Chapter 7