Computer Networks Chapter 1 Flashcards
Access Networks
The access network is the network that physically connects an end system to the first router on a path from the end system to any other distant end system.
-Cable-based access
-DSL
-Home networks
-Enterprise networks
-Data center networks
Distributed Applications
Applications that involve multiple end systems that exchange data with each other.
RFC
Request For Comments. IETF standards documents. They define protocols such as TCP, IP, HTTP, and SMTP.
Internet Standards
-RFC
-IETF
Packet Switch
Takes a packet arriving on one of its incoming communication links and forwards that packet on one of its outgoing communication links. The two most prominent types are routers and link-layer switches.
Host Sending Function
Host sends packets of data.
-takes application message
-breaks it into smaller chunks (packets) of length L bits
-transmits packet into access network at transmission rate R.
L bits/R bits per second = transmission time in seconds.
Bit
Short for “binary digit.” Propagates between transmitter/receiver pairs.
Wireless Radio
Signal carried in various “bands” in electromagnetic spectrum. No physical wire, but broadcast (half-duplex). Propagation environment effects:
-reflection
-obstruction by objects
-interference/noise
Fiber Optic Cable
Glass fiber carrying light pulses. Each pulse is a bit. High-speed point-to-point transmission (10s-100s Gbps). Low error rate: repeaters spaced far apart, immune to electromagnetic noise.
Coaxial Cable
Two concentric copper conductors. Bidirectional. Broadband: multiple frequency channels on cable, 100s Mbps per channel. May need repeaters to propagate with long distances.
Twisted Pair
“TP.” Two insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce interference from other signals. Parallel, not concentric.
-Category 5: 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps Ethernet.
-Category 6: 10 Gbps Ethernet.
Guided Media
Signals propagate in solid media.
ex. Copper, fiber, coax.
Unguided Media
Signals propagate freely.
ex. Radio, WiFi.
Physical Link
What lies between transmitter and receiver.
Half-duplex
Allowing the transmission of signals in both directions but not simultaneously.
Links: Physical Media
-Bit
-Physical link
-Guided media
-Unguided media
-Twisted pair
-Coaxial cable
-Fiber optic cable
-Wireless radio
Radio Link Types
-WLAN (WiFi)
-Wide-area
-Bluetooth
-Terrestrial microwave
-Satellite
Bluetooth
Type of radio link.
-Cable replacement
-Short distances, limited rates
Terrestrial Microwave
Type of radio link.
-Point-to-point; 45 Mbps channels
Satellite
Type of radio link.
-Up to more than 100 Mbps (Starlink) downlink
-270 msec end-end delay (geostationary)
Packet-switching
When hosts break application-layer messages into packets. Network forwards packets from one router to the next, across links on path from source to destination.
Two Key Network-core Functions
-Forwarding (switching)
-Routing
Forwarding
aka “switching.” local action: move arriving packets from router’s input link to appropriate router output link. One of two key network-core functions.
Store-and-forward
Packet-switching function in which entire oacket must arrive at router before it can be transmitted on next link.
Routing
One of two key network-core functions. Global action: determine source-destination paths taken by packets.
Queuing
Occurs when work (packets) arrives faster than it can be serviced. Happens when arrival rate (in bps) to link exceeds transmission rate (bps) of link for some period of time.
Circuit-Switching
End-end resources allocated to, reserved for “call” between source and destination. Dedicated resources. Circuit-like (guaranteed) performance. Circuit segment idle if not used by call (no sharing). Commonly used in traditional telephone networks. Alternative to packet-switching.
FDM
Frequency Division Multiplexing.
-optical, electromagnetic frequencies divided into narrow frequency bands.
-each call allocated its own band. Can transmit at max rate of that narrow band.
TDM
Time Division Multiplexing.
-time divided into solts.
-Each call allocated periodic slots. Can transmit at max rate of frequency band only during its time slot(s).
IXP
Internet Exchange Point. A meeting point where multiple ISPs can peer together.
“Center” of Internet Structure
-Tier-1 ISPs
-Content provider networks
Tier-1 ISPs
National and international coverage. At the “center” of the Internet structure.
ex. Sprint, AT&T.
Content-Provider Networks
Private networks that connect their data centers to the Internet, often bypassing tier-1 and regional ISPs. At the “center” of the Internet structure.
ex. Google, Facebook.
Packet Loss
Occurs when memory buffer to hold queued packets fills up. Packets arriving to a full queue are dropped (lost). Lost packet may be retransmitted by previous node, by source end system, or not at all.
Sources of Packet Delay
-d_proc
-d_queue
-d_trans
-d_prop
Total nodal delay: d_nodal
d_nodal = d_proc + d_queue + d_trans + d_prop
d_queue
Queuing delay. Time waiting at the output link for transmission.
-Depends on congestion level of the router.
-If no other packet is currently being transmitted, queuing delay = 0.
-Can be on the order of microseconds to milliseconds.
d_proc
Processing delay. The time it takes to examine a packet’s header and determine where to direct the packet.
-Can also include the time needed to check for bit-level errors.
-Typically < microseconds.
d_trans
Transmission delay. The time it takes to push (transmit) all of the packet’s bits into the link.
-Typically on the order of microseconds to milliseconds.
-L: packet length (bits)
-R: link transmission rate (bps)
d_trans = L/R