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Networks and Switching > Data Link Layer > Flashcards

Data Link Layer Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary purpose of the Data Link Layer?

A

To provide a link between the software communication subsystems and the physical components involved in communications.

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2
Q

What is a frame in the context of the Data Link Layer?

A

A frame is a Layer 2 PDU that encapsulates packets from the Network Layer for transmission over the media.

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3
Q

How does the Data Link Layer handle data encapsulation?

A

It encapsulates packets from the Network Layer into frames that are appropriate for the type of media being used.

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4
Q

What are the two sublayers of the Data Link Layer?

A

Logical Link Control (LLC) and Media Access Control (MAC).

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5
Q

What is the function of the Logical Link Control (LLC) sublayer?

A

To handle communication between the upper and lower layers and add header information to identify the Layer 2 protocol used.

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6
Q

What is the function of the Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer?

A

To control access to the media and provide Layer 2 addressing and encapsulation information.

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7
Q

What is media access control?

A

Mechanisms that control how and when devices can use the media for transmission to avoid collisions.

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8
Q

What is a MAC address?

A

A 48-bit binary value expressed as 12 hexadecimal digits used to uniquely identify network interface cards.

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9
Q

What is the difference between physical and logical topologies?

A

Physical topology refers to the actual physical layout of the network, while logical topology refers to the virtual arrangement of nodes as seen by the Data Link Layer.

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10
Q

What are the common physical WAN topologies?

A

Point-to-point, hub-and-spoke, and full mesh.

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11
Q

What is a point-to-point topology?

A

A direct physical connection between two nodes.

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12
Q

What is the purpose of the frame start and frame stop fields in a Layer 2 frame?

A

To indicate the beginning and end of a frame for processing by the Data Link Layer components.

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13
Q

What is the difference between contention-based and controlled access methods?

A

Contention-based methods allow multiple nodes to compete for media access, while controlled access methods use tokens or other mechanisms to determine which node can transmit at any given time.

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14
Q

What is CSMA/CD?

A

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection, a contention-based media access control method used in wired Ethernet networks.

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15
Q

What happens when a collision is detected in CSMA/CD?

A

The nodes stop transmitting, send a jamming signal, wait for a random backoff period, and then attempt to retransmit.

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16
Q

What is CSMA/CA?

A

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance, a media access control method used in wireless networks to avoid collisions.

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17
Q

What is the role of the preamble in an Ethernet frame?

A

To provide a synchronization signal allowing receivers to synchronize their clocks for the rest of the frame.

18
Q

What information is contained in the addressing fields of an Ethernet frame?

A

The source and destination MAC addresses.

19
Q

What is the purpose of the type field in an Ethernet frame?

A

To indicate the Layer 3 protocol being used (e.g., IPv4, IPv6).

20
Q

What is the frame check sequence in an Ethernet frame?

A

A field used for error detection to ensure the integrity of the transmitted data.

21
Q

What is the typical size range for the data field in an Ethernet frame?

A

46 to 1500 bytes.

22
Q

What is the significance of the minimum and maximum frame sizes in Ethernet?

A

The minimum size ensures collision detection, while the maximum size prevents a single frame from monopolizing the media.

23
Q

What is unicast communication in Ethernet?

A

Communication between a single sender and a single receiver, identified by unique MAC addresses.

24
Q

What is broadcast communication in Ethernet?

A

Communication from one sender to all devices in the network, using a broadcast MAC address.

25
Q

What is the universal broadcast MAC address?

A

FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF.

26
Q

What is the function of the error detection field in a Layer 2 frame?

A

To validate the correctness of the data and detect any corruption during transmission.

27
Q

What are the primary differences between half-duplex and full-duplex communication?

A

Half-duplex communication allows data transmission in one direction at a time, while full-duplex communication allows simultaneous transmission and reception of data.

28
Q

What is the role of Ethernet switches in modern networks?

A

To forward data frames based on MAC addresses, reducing the need for collision detection and improving network efficiency.

29
Q

What is Ethernet encapsulation?

A

The process of adding Ethernet headers and trailers to a packet for transmission over an Ethernet network.

30
Q

What is the primary function of Ethernet?

A

To define network protocols for data link and physical layer communication in local area networks (LANs).

31
Q

What is the purpose of the IEEE in Ethernet standards?

A

To define and regulate Ethernet standards, ensuring compatibility and interoperability among different vendors and devices.

32
Q

What is the history of Ethernet?

A

Ethernet was developed from the ALOHAnet, the first wireless packet data network, and has evolved to support faster speeds and newer technologies.

33
Q

What is the significance of Ethernet’s evolution?

A

It has adapted to support higher speeds and new media types, becoming the predominant Layer 2 protocol for LANs.

34
Q

What are the two primary responsibilities of the MAC sublayer in Ethernet?

A

Data encapsulation and media access control.

35
Q

What is the purpose of the Ethernet type field?

A

To indicate the Layer 3 protocol encapsulated within the frame (e.g., IPv4, IPv6).

36
Q

What are the two types of Ethernet addresses?

A

Unicast and broadcast MAC addresses.

37
Q

What is the function of the Ethernet frame preamble?

A

To provide synchronization for the receiving devices.

38
Q

What is the minimum Ethernet frame size?

A

64 bytes.

39
Q

What is the maximum Ethernet frame size?

A

1518 bytes.

40
Q

What is a collision domain?

A

A network segment where data packets can collide with one another.

41
Q

What is a broadcast domain?

A

A network segment where a broadcast frame sent by any device is received by all other devices.

42
Q

What is the purpose of VLANs in Ethernet networks?

A

To logically segment networks into different broadcast domains, improving performance and security.

Networks and Switching (8 decks)

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