Computer Networking: Network Layer Overview

Practice flashcards for key vocabulary and concepts from the Computer Networking course focusing on the Network Layer.

network layer

The layer in a computer networking model responsible for transporting data segments from the sending host to the receiving host.

datagram

A basic unit of data transmitted over the network layer, encapsulating transport segments.

forwarding

The process of moving packets from a router's input link to an appropriate output link.

routing

Determining the path that packets take from source to destination across a network.

control plane

The part of a network responsible for making decisions about data routing and network-wide logic.

data plane

The part of a network that forwards data packets based on pre-established rules.

IP fragmentation

The process of breaking down a large IP datagram into smaller pieces to accommodate the maximum transmission unit of the network.

subnet

A portion of a network where devices share a common address prefix that allows direct communication without routing.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

A method used to convert private IP addresses to a public IP address for routing to the internet.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

A network management protocol used to dynamically assign IP addresses and other configuration to devices on a network.

OpenFlow

A protocol that allows a remote controller to interact with the forwarding plane of network devices, centralizing the control of packet forwarding.

longest prefix matching

A method used in routing to find the most specific route for an IP address by matching the longest address prefix.

encapsulation

Wrapping of data with protocol information at each layer of the network model.

forwarding table

A data structure used by routers to determine the output link for incoming packets based on their destination.

QoS (Quality of Service)

A set of technologies to manage network resources to provide better service to selected network traffic.

IPv6

The most recent version of the Internet Protocol designed to replace IPv4, featuring a vastly larger address space.