COMPREHENSIVE COURSE VIVA

COMPUTER NETWORKS

Question: How does mesh network topology differ from other topologies, and what are
its key characteristics?
Answer: Mesh network topology involves interconnecting computers with multiple
paths, providing redundancy and fault tolerance. It can be fully connected or partially
connected, as seen in the Internet.

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid network topologies, and
why are they considered effective yet complex?
Answer: Hybrid topologies combine different network structures for reliability and
flexibility but can be costly to implement due to complex design requirements.

Question: Why is flow control essential in network communication, and what

mechanisms are used to address issues between fast senders and slow receivers?
Answer: Flow control prevents data loss by regulating the pace of data transmission,
employing mechanisms like slowing down fast senders to match the receiver's speed.

Question: How does network scalability impact performance as networks grow larger,
and why is it crucial for maintaining network functionality?
Answer: Scalability ensures that networks can handle increased traffic and growth
without compromising performance, making it essential for sustaining network
operations as they expand.

Question: What design issues arise as networks evolve over time, and how do new
network designs integrate with existing infrastructure?
Answer: Networks undergo changes and expansions, requiring seamless integration of
new designs with existing infrastructure to support evolving communication needs.

Question: What role do protocols play in determining the number of logical channels
needed for simultaneous data transfer in network connections?
Answer: Protocols define the logical channels required for concurrent data transfer,
ensuring efficient communication between network devices.

Question: How do mechanisms for confidentiality and integrity enhance network

security, and what threats do they protect against?
Answer: Confidentiality mechanisms safeguard against eavesdropping, while integrity
mechanisms prevent unauthorized alterations to messages, enhancing network security.

Question: What social, ethical, and political issues have emerged with the introduction of
networking technology, and how do they impact network operators and users?
Answer: Networking has raised concerns about free speech violations, content liability
for operators, and the need for privacy and security measures to address ethical and social
implications.

Question: In what applications are twisted-pair cables commonly used, and how do
interference and crosstalk affect signal transmission in such cables?
Answer: Twisted-pair cables are utilized in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
communications, telephone systems, and local-area networks. Interference and crosstalk
can introduce unwanted signals and noise, impacting data transmission.

Question: How do network topologies influence the connectivity and communication

patterns among devices, and what are the key considerations for designing effective
network structures?
Answer: Network topologies dictate how devices are interconnected, affecting data flow
and network performance. Design considerations include reliability, scalability, and
cost-effectiveness to create efficient network architectures.

Question: What are the primary considerations when designing the Data Link Layer, and
how do they impact overall network performance?
Answer: Design considerations for the Data Link Layer involve addressing issues such
as framing, error detection and correction, and flow control. These factors play a crucial
role in ensuring reliable communication between network devices.

Question: Why is error detection and correction important in the Data Link Layer, and
can you provide examples of commonly used techniques?
Answer: Error detection and correction mechanisms in the Data Link Layer help identify
and rectify errors introduced during data transmission. Examples include checksums,
cyclic redundancy checks (CRC), and parity bits.

Question: Compare and contrast Stop-and-Wait and Sliding Window protocols in the
context of the Data Link Layer. How do they improve data transmission efficiency?
Answer: Stop-and-Wait and Sliding Window protocols are both flow control
mechanisms. While Stop-and-Wait is a simple, one-frame-at-a-time approach, Sliding
Window protocols allow multiple frames to be in transit simultaneously, increasing
efficiency.

Question: Describe the features and functions of the High-Level Data Link Control
(HDLC) protocol and its role in reliable communication.
Answer: HDLC is a bit-oriented protocol known for its efficiency and reliability. It
provides encapsulation, error detection, and flow control, making it suitable for various
networking environments.

Question: What challenges are associated with channel allocation in the Medium Access
Control (MAC) sublayer, and how do different strategies address these issues?
Answer: Channel allocation in the MAC sublayer involves addressing the contention for
access to the communication medium. Strategies like Carrier Sense Multiple Access
(CSMA) and Token Passing aim to manage channel access efficiently.

Question: Compare and contrast multiple access protocols such as CSMA/CD,

CSMA/CA, and Token Passing. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Answer: CSMA/CD is used in wired networks, CSMA/CA is common in wireless
networks, and Token Passing is utilized in token ring networks. Each protocol has distinct
advantages and drawbacks related to collision handling and channel access.

Question: Explain the evolution of Ethernet technology and its role in the Data Link
Layer.
Answer: Ethernet has evolved from traditional Ethernet to Fast Ethernet, Gigabit
Ethernet, and beyond. It operates on the Data Link Layer, providing a standardized
method for devices to access the network.
Question: Detail the principles and characteristics of Wireless LANs, with a focus on the
802.11 standard. How does it address challenges specific to wireless communication?
Answer: Wireless LANs operate without physical cables, using the 802.11 standard to
manage communication. This standard includes protocols for encryption, security, and
efficient data transfer in wireless networks.

Question: Discuss the role of bridges in network communication, especially during

transitions from 802.x to 802.y standards. What improvements or changes do these
transitions bring?
Answer: Bridges connect different network segments, enabling communication between
them. During transitions between standards, bridges play a vital role in ensuring
compatibility and facilitating a smooth migration process.

Question: Differentiate between the functions of repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches,

routers, and gateways in the Data Link Layer. How do they contribute to efficient data
transfer in a network?
Answer: Each network device serves a specific purpose. Repeaters and hubs extend the
physical reach of the network, while bridges and switches operate at the Data Link Layer
to filter and forward frames. Routers and gateways facilitate communication between
different networks.

Question: What are the key design issues in the Network Layer, and how do they impact
the overall performance and efficiency of a network?
Answer: Design issues in the Network Layer encompass considerations such as
addressing, routing, and congestion control. These factors significantly influence the
scalability and effectiveness of a network.

Question: Explain the Optimality Principle in routing algorithms and its relevance in
determining the most efficient routes within a network.
Answer: The Optimality Principle in routing algorithms aims to find the optimal path for
data transmission, considering factors like distance, cost, or time. It plays a crucial role in
determining the most efficient routes to ensure timely and reliable communication.

Question: Compare and contrast Shortest Path routing, Flooding, Distance Vector
Routing, and Link State Routing algorithms, highlighting their respective advantages and
disadvantages.
Answer: Shortest Path routing focuses on finding the quickest route, Flooding sends data
to all neighbors, Distance Vector Routing relies on distance information, and Link State
Routing builds a detailed map of the network. Each algorithm has unique characteristics
and trade-offs.

Question: Discuss the principles and applications of Multicast routing. How does it
optimize data transmission for groups of recipients?
Answer: Multicast routing efficiently delivers data to multiple recipients simultaneously.
It minimizes network load and enhances scalability by transmitting information only to
those hosts interested in receiving it.

Question: Explore the concepts of Routing for mobile hosts. How do routing algorithms
adapt to the dynamic nature of mobile devices in a network?
Answer: Routing for mobile hosts involves addressing the challenges posed by the
mobility of devices. Adaptive routing algorithms ensure seamless communication by
dynamically updating routes as mobile hosts change their locations.

Question: What services does the Transport Layer provide to the upper layers, and how
do these services facilitate communication between network entities?
Answer: The Transport Layer provides services such as segmentation, error detection,
and flow control to the upper layers, ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission.

Question: Define the Transport Service Primitives and explain how they contribute to the
communication between the Transport Layer and upper layers.
Answer: Transport Service Primitives are basic operations that the Transport Layer
provides to upper layers. They include functions like connection establishment, data
transfer, and connection release.

Question: Explore the characteristics and use cases of the User Datagram Protocol
(UDP). How does UDP differ from other transport layer protocols?
Answer: UDP is a connectionless and lightweight protocol suitable for applications
where low overhead and real-time communication are crucial. It contrasts with TCP in its
lack of reliability mechanisms.

Question: Provide an overview of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Explain its
role in ensuring reliable and ordered data delivery.
Answer: TCP is a reliable, connection-oriented protocol that guarantees the delivery of
data in the correct order. It employs features like sequence numbers and
acknowledgments to achieve this reliability.

Question: Detail the components of the TCP segment header. How do these components
contribute to the proper functioning of the TCP protocol?
Answer: The TCP segment header includes information such as sequence numbers,
acknowledgment numbers, and control flags. These components play a vital role in
managing connections and ensuring data integrity.

Question: Describe the process of connection establishment and release in the

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). What steps does TCP take to establish a reliable
connection and release it when communication is complete?
Answer: TCP employs a three-way handshake for connection establishment and a
four-way handshake for connection release. These processes ensure a reliable and orderly
exchange of data between communicating entities.

Question: Explain the concept of connection management modeling in TCP. How does
TCP manage and control connections during data transmission?
Answer: Connection management in TCP involves mechanisms for opening,
maintaining, and terminating connections. It ensures proper synchronization and reliable
communication between the sender and receiver.

Question: Discuss the TCP retransmission policy. Under what circumstances does TCP
initiate retransmission, and how does it contribute to reliable data delivery?
Answer: TCP initiates retransmission when it detects missing or lost segments during
data transmission. This policy ensures that all data reaches the destination, enhancing the
reliability of the communication.

Question: Explore the TCP congestion control mechanisms. How does TCP adapt to
network congestion, and what strategies does it employ to optimize data transmission?
Answer: TCP congestion control mechanisms adjust the transmission rate based on
network conditions. Techniques such as slow start, congestion avoidance, and fast
retransmit contribute to efficient data transfer in varying network environments.
Question: What design considerations are crucial in the Network Layer, and how do they
impact the overall efficiency and performance of a network?
Answer: Design considerations in the Network Layer include addressing, routing, and
congestion control, significantly influencing network scalability and effectiveness.

Question: Explain the Optimality Principle in routing algorithms. How does it contribute
to determining the most efficient routes within a network?
Answer: The Optimality Principle in routing algorithms aims to find the optimal path for
data transmission, considering factors like distance, cost, or time. It plays a crucial role in
determining efficient routes.

Question: Compare and contrast Flooding and Shortest Path routing algorithms,
highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in network communication.
Answer: Flooding sends data to all neighbors, while Shortest Path routing focuses on
finding the quickest route. Flooding is simple but can lead to redundancy, while Shortest
Path is more efficient but may be complex to implement.

Question: Describe the principles and applications of Multicast routing. How does it
optimize data transmission for multiple recipients?
Answer: Multicast routing efficiently delivers data to multiple recipients simultaneously,
minimizing network load and enhancing scalability by transmitting information only to
interested hosts.

Question: Discuss the challenges associated with routing for mobile hosts. How do
adaptive routing algorithms address the dynamic nature of mobile devices in a network?
Answer: Routing for mobile hosts involves adapting to device mobility. Adaptive routing
algorithms ensure seamless communication by dynamically updating routes as mobile
hosts change locations.

Question: Why is congestion control essential in network communication, and what

mechanisms are used to regulate data flow between fast senders and slow receivers?
Answer: Congestion control prevents data loss by regulating the pace of data
transmission. Mechanisms such as slowing down fast senders ensure synchronization
with slower receivers.