Networking Assignment
1. Server Reliability, Availability and Data Integrity
(i) Reliability
Reliability refers to a server's ability to perform its functions consistently without
failure over time. A reliable server minimizes downtime and errors.
(ii) Availability
Availability is the percentage of time a server is operational and accessible,
measured as uptime (e.g., 99.9% = "three nines"). Techniques to improve availability
include:
• Redundancy – backup servers take over if one fails
• Load balancing – distributes traffic across multiple servers
• Failover systems – automatic switching to a standby server
(iii) Data Integrity
Data Integrity ensures that data remains accurate, consistent, and uncorrupted
during storage and transmission. Methods include:
• Checksums & hashing – detect data corruption
• Backups – regular copies prevent data loss
• Access controls – prevent unauthorized modification
• RAID systems – protect data across multiple disks
2. Functions of Each Layer of the OSI Model
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework with
seven layers, each responsible for specific network functions:
Layer Name Function
7 Application Interface for user applications (HTTP, FTP, SMTP)
6 Presentation Data formatting, encryption, and compression
5 Session Manages and controls connections/sessions between
devices
4 Transport Reliable data transfer; error checking (TCP/UDP)
3 Network Logical addressing and routing (IP addresses)
2 Data Link Physical addressing (MAC), error detection on local network
1 Physical Transmission of raw bits over physical media (cables,
signals)
3. IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)
• Uses 32-bit addresses
• Written in dotted decimal format: e.g., [Link]
• Supports approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses
• Addresses are becoming exhausted due to internet growth
IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)
• Uses 128-bit addresses
• Written in hexadecimal: e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334
• Supports virtually unlimited addresses (3.4 x 10^38)
• Includes built-in security (IPSec) and better routing efficiency
• Created to solve IPv4 address exhaustion
4. Classes of IP Addresses
IPv4 addresses are divided into five classes based on their range and intended use:
Clas Range Subnet Mask Use
s
A [Link] – [Link] Large networks (governments,
[Link] ISPs)
B [Link] – [Link] Medium networks
[Link] (universities)
C [Link] – [Link] Small networks (businesses)
[Link]
D [Link] – N/A Multicasting
[Link]
E [Link] – N/A Research/experimental use
[Link]
NB: Class A supports the most hosts per network; Class C supports the fewest but has the
most available networks. Classes D and E are not used for general host addressing.