NETACAD 15 APPLICATION LAYER

Question 1

Describe the application layer

Answer 1

In the OSI and the TCP/IP models, the application layer is the closest layer to the end user. Application layer protocols are used to exchange data between programs running on the source and destination hosts.

Question 2

What are the three primary functions of the presentation layer

Answer 2

The presentation layer has three primary functions: formatting, or presenting, data at the source device into a compatible form for receipt by the destination device, compressing data in a way that can be decompressed by the destination device, and encrypting data for transmission and decrypting data upon receipt.

Question 3

Describe the session layer

Answer 3

The session layer creates and maintains dialogs between source and destination applications. The session layer handles the exchange of information to initiate dialogs, keep them active, and to restart sessions that are disrupted or idle for a long period of time.

Question 4

What is the importance of TCP/IP application layer protocols

Answer 4

They specify the format and control information necessary for many common internet communication functions. These protocols are used by both the source and destination devices during a session. The protocols implemented on both the source and destination host must be compatible.

Question 5

Briefly describe the client/server model

Answer 5

In the client/server model, the device requesting the information is called a client and the device responding to the request is called a server. The client begins the exchange by requesting data from the server, which responds by sending one or more streams of data to the client.

Question 6

Briefly describe the P2P model

Answer 6

In a P2P network, two or more computers are connected via a network and can share resources without having a dedicated server. Every peer can function as both a server and a client. One computer might assume the role of server for one transaction while simultaneously serving as a client for another.

Question 7

Describe P2P applications

Answer 7

P2P applications require that each end device provide a user interface and run a background service. Some P2P applications use a hybrid system where resource sharing is decentralized, but the indexes that point to resource locations are stored in a centralized directory. Many P2P applications allow users to share pieces of files with each other at the same time.

Question 8

What is a torrent file

Answer 8

Clients use a small file called a torrent file to locate other users who have pieces that they need so that they can connect directly to them. This file also contains information about tracker computers that keep track of which users have what pieces of which files.

Question 9

What is the relationship between web browsers, web services, HTTP and servers. What are the three most common message types involved in all this

Answer 9

When a web address or URL is typed into a web browser, the web browser establishes a connection to the web service. The web service is running on the server that is using the HTTP protocol. HTTP is a request/response protocol. When a client, typically a web browser, sends a request to a web server, HTTP specifies the message types used for that communication. The three common message types are GET, POST, and PUT.

Question 10

What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS

Answer 10

For secure communication across the internet, HTTPS uses the same client request-server response process as HTTP, but the data stream is encrypted with SSL before being transported across the network.

Question 11

List the different protocols supported by email for operation

Answer 11

Email supports three separate protocols for operation: SMTP, POP, and IMAP. The application layer process that sends mail uses SMTP. A client retrieves email using POP or IMAP.

Question 12

Describe SMTP

Answer 12

SMTP message formats require a message header and a message body. While the message body can contain any amount of text, the message header must have a properly formatted recipient email address and a sender address.

Question 13

Describe POP

Answer 13

POP is used by an application to retrieve mail from a mail server. With POP, mail is downloaded from the server to the client and then deleted on the server.

Question 14

Describe IMAP

Answer 14

With IMAP, unlike POP, when the user connects to an IMAP-capable server, copies of the messages are downloaded to the client application. The original messages are kept on the server until manually deleted.

Question 15

Describe DNS Protocols

Answer 15

The DNS protocol matches resource names with the required numeric network address. The DNS protocol communications use a message format for all types of client queries and server responses, error messages, and the transfer of resource record information between servers.

Question 16

How do various DNS servers work together in the entire DNS structure

Answer 16

Each DNS server maintains a specific database file and is only responsible for managing name-to-IP mappings for that small portion of the entire DNS structure

Question 17

How do computer OSs manually query name servers

Answer 17

Computer OSs use Nslookup to allow the user to manually query the name servers to resolve a given host name.

Question 18

What is the distinguishing characteristic of DHCPv6 from DHCP V4

Answer 18

DHCPv6 provides similar services for IPv6 clients, except that it does not provide a default gateway address.

Question 19

Discuss DHCP (4&6) messages after a device boots

Answer 19

When an IPv4, DHCP-configured device boots up or connects to the network, the client broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER message to identify any available DHCP servers on the network. A DHCP server replies with a DHCPOFFER message, which offers a lease to the client. DHCPv6 has a set of messages that is similar to those for DHCPv4. The DHCPv6 messages are SOLICIT, ADVERTISE, INFORMATION REQUEST, and REPLY.

Question 20

What is an FTP client and what are its functions

Answer 20

An FTP client is an application which runs on a computer that is being used to push and pull data from an FTP server. The client establishes the first connection to the server for control traffic using TCP port 21. The client establishes the second connection to the server for the actual data transfer using TCP port 20. The client can download (pull) data from the server, or the client can upload (push) data to the server.

Question 21

What are the three functions of SMB messages.

Answer 21

start, authenticate, and terminate sessions, control file and printer access, and allow an application to send or receive messages to or from another device.

Question 22

Give the differences between SMB messages FTP client

Answer 22

Unlike the file sharing supported by FTP, clients establish a long-term connection to servers. After the connection is established, the user of the client can access the resources on the server as if the resource is local to the client host.