Advanced Computer Networks Assignment II
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Genene GebreAdvanced Computer Networks Assignment II
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Genene GebreCommon questions
Powered by AIThe network layer manages routing by determining how data packets move from the source to the destination through the subnet. It calculates optimal paths based on routing algorithms that consider factors such as network traffic, topology, and costs. This layer handles packet forwarding and can adapt routing paths dynamically to optimize overall network efficiency, thereby ensuring robust and reliable data transmission across varied network conditions .
Broadcasting is fundamental in network architectures where all nodes share the same communication medium. This model allows any transmitted message to be received by all network nodes, facilitating functionalities such as address resolution and resource discovery. However, it may lead to inefficiencies in bandwidth usage as it involves sending the message to all nodes regardless of the intended recipient .
In distributed routing, each node independently determines the best output link for routing packets, making it complex but resilient to node failures. Centralized routing involves a network control center dictating routing decisions, which can streamline operations but risks a single point of failure. Source-based routing allows the source station to determine the packet path, providing user control over routing decisions but potentially increasing computational load on the source device .
Establishing a dedicated circuit in circuit-switched networks means that a particular path is reserved for the duration of the communication session. This ensures a consistent and reliable connection with guaranteed bandwidth, crucial for real-time and high-priority communications. However, it can lead to inefficiencies as the circuit remains occupied even during periods of silence or lower data transmission .
The probability of collision in a network depends on the number of workstations sharing the network, the length of the data packet being transmitted, and the overall length of the network. More workstations and longer data packets increase collision chances, as more devices compete for the same network resources. Longer networks increase the propagation delay, raising the likelihood that multiple devices will detect an idle channel and attempt simultaneous transmissions, leading to collisions .
In a virtual-circuit network, the process begins when the source sends a 'call request packet' to the destination through various nodes, requesting a logical connection. This packet sets up a virtual circuit before any data packets can be sent. The significance of this process is that it ensures a predefined path is established for the data transmission, allowing for control over packet delivery order and reduced overhead during continuous data streaming .
The least-cost path focuses on minimizing the total cost of a path based on predefined metrics (e.g., bandwidth, delay), which may result in paths with more hops if those hops have lower costs. Conversely, the minimum hop count route aims to reduce the number of intermediate nodes between source and destination, which does not always correspond to the least cost. For example, in the network, the least-cost path ACEB has a higher hop count than the minimum hop count path AFB .
Most packet switches use the 'store and forward' principle. This method is favored because it allows each packet to be stored temporarily at each switch before being forwarded to the next switch in the network, ensuring that packets can be handled even during busy periods and accommodating differences in data transfer rates between nodes .
In a star topology, a central controller or hub is used to connect all network devices, distinguishing it from other topologies such as bus or mesh. This design simplifies problem detection and isolation, as the failure of a single peripheral device does not affect the rest of the network. However, the central hub can be a point of failure, making the entire network vulnerable if it crashes .
Flooding routing strategies have several disadvantages including high traffic data rates due to the redundant sending of packets through all paths. This can be harmful to the network's reliability, costly due to wasted bandwidth, and typically only effective in small areas, as congestion can occur in wide-area networks due to the excessive number of duplicated packets .