Lecture Eight Flashcards
What is a Network?
A system or group of interconnected entities.
Examples of Networks
Social Networks: Interactions and connections among individuals or groups.
Professional Networks: Connections based on professional affiliations.
Road/Rail Networks: Infrastructure for transportation and logistics.
Biological Networks: Interconnected biological systems, such as neural networks.
Radio Networks: Systems of interconnected radio stations and transmitters.
Electrical Networks: Systems of interconnected electrical components.
Network Characteristics
Defined by their constituent entities and the nature of their interconnections.
Data Networks - Purpose
Facilitate efficient transfer and exchange of information.
Data Networks - Modern Context
Transition from physical to digital data exchange, emphasizing speed and efficiency.
Coaxial Cables
Thinnet (10Base2): Maximum length of 200 meters, largely obsolete in modern networks.
Thicknet (10Base5): Maximum length of 500 meters, also obsolete.
Twisted Pair Cables
Utilize differential mode transmission.
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): Provides protection against electromagnetic interference.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):
Cat3: Supports 10 Mbps, used in older telecommunication setups.
Cat5: Supports 100 Mbps, common in traditional Ethernet networks.
Cat6: Supports 1 Gbps, used for high-speed Ethernet.
UTP Cabling - Advantages Over Coaxial
Less prone to electromagnetic interference and crosstalk.
UTP Cabling - Differential Model Transmission
Signal Encoding: Utilizes two complementary signals.
Signal Detection: Based on voltage differences between the pair.
Noise Handling: Uniform noise across pairs allows for effective decoding.
UTP Cabling - Twist Rates
Different twist rates minimize interference in bundled cables.
UTP Cabling - Ethernet Cable Types
Straight-Through Cables: Connect devices of different types (e.g., switch to router).
Crossover Cables: Connect devices of the same type (e.g., switch to switch).
Optical Fibre - Material
Made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic to a fine diameter.
Optical Fibre - Single Mode Fibres (SMF)
Supports one propagation path.
Used for long-distance communication (>1 km).
Optical Fibre - Multi Mode Fibres (MMF)
Supports multiple propagation paths.
Wider core diameter, used for short-distance links.
Optical Fibre - Applications
Used in long-haul trunks, metropolitan trunks, local loops, and Local Area Networks (LANs).
Wireless Transmission Media - Transmission Without Conductors
Information transmitted using electromagnetic waves.
Wireless Transmission Media - Characteristics
Unbound and Unguided: No physical medium required for transmission.
Long-Distance Capabilities: Can travel vast distances without the need for a line of sight.
Stochastic Medium: Affected by scattering and deflection, making it unpredictable.
Wireless Transmission Media - Examples
Sound Waves
Water Waves
Light Waves
Vacuum (Space)
Wireless Technologies
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
3G/4G/5G LTE
Satellite Communications
Hubs - Definition
Basic networking devices operating at the Physical Layer.
Hubs - Functionality
Repeaters: Relay incoming bits to all other connected links.
Collision Domains: Define areas where data packets can interfere with each other.
Limitations: No framing or MAC protocol, rely on host Network Interface Cards (NICs) to detect collisions.
Hubs - Usage
Historically used in simple network setups, largely replaced by switches in modern networks.
Collision Domains - Defintion
A network segment where data packets can interfere and collide, causing transmission failures.
Collision Domains - Collisions
Occur when two devices attempt to transmit simultaneously on the same medium.
Collision Domains - Size and Timing
Impact: Collision domains and packet size affect the likelihood and severity of collisions.
Late Collisions: Occur when the sender finishes transmission before the initial bits reach the most remote node.
Collision Domains - MAC Protocols
Ethernet Example: Uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) to manage collisions.
Broadcast Domains - Definition
A network segment where devices can communicate via broadcast messages at the Data Link Control (DLC) layer.
Broadcast Domains - Characteristic
Defined by Routers: Layer 3 devices create distinct broadcast domains.
Scope: Includes all interconnected Layer 2 networks, such as those linked by switches and bridges.
Broadcast Domains - Separation of Domains
Collision Domains: Smaller segments within broadcast domains where collisions can occur.
Broadcast Domains: Larger areas encompassing multiple collision domains.
Switches - Operational Layer
Function at the Data Link Control (Layer 2).
Switches - Functionality
Frame Forwarding: Directs frames only to the destination port, reducing unnecessary network traffic.
Collision Domain Separation: Each port on a switch typically represents a separate collision domain, eliminating collisions.
Efficiency: Increases network efficiency by reducing congestion and enhancing bandwidth usage.
Switch Tables - Functionality
Switches maintain tables to track devices connected to each port.
Switch Tables - Structure
Consist of tuples containing Host MAC Address, Port Number, and Time-to-Live (TTL).
Switch Tables - Creation
Self-Learning: When a frame is received, the switch records the source MAC address and associated port.
Frame Handling: Uses the switch table to forward frames to the correct destination port or flood if unknown.
Frame Filtering/Forwarding
two basic functions of an Ethernet switch that help determine how to forward frames
Frame Filtering
Filters out ports and only forwards data to the destination MAC address. Switches will never forward a frame back out the same port it received it on.
Frame Forwarding
Looks up the destination address in the MAC address table and forwards the frame to that port. Switches can use three different methods to forward frames out the appropriate switchport:
Store and forward: Copies the entire frame into a memory buffer and inspects it for errors
Cut-through: Stores nothing and only inspects the destination MAC address
Fragment free: Inspects only the first portion of the frame