WEEK 7 CS2005-NetworkLayerI-2024_25

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and their definitions related to the Network Layer in computer networks.

Network Layer

A protocol that provides logical communication between hosts.

Data Plane

Functions that determine how a datagram is forwarded from one input link to an output link within a router.

Control Plane

The logic controlling how datagrams are routed among routers along an end-to-end path.

Forwarding

The local action of transferring a packet from an input link interface to an appropriate output link interface.

Routing

The process by which the network layer determines the end-to-end paths packets take from source to destination.

Software-defined networking (SDN)

An approach that separates the data plane and the control plane, with control functions implemented as a separate service.

Forwarding Table

A table used by a router to determine which output link to use for forwarding a packet based on its header values.

Routing Algorithms

Algorithms that calculate the paths taken by packets as they flow through a network.

Input Ports

Components of a router that terminate incoming physical links and perform necessary link layer functions.

Output Ports

Components that store packets received from the switching fabric and transmit them on outgoing links.

Switching Fabric

The internal mechanism that connects a router's input ports to its output ports.

Centralised Routing

A routing method where all routers have complete knowledge of the network topology.

Decentralised Routing

A routing method where each router knows only its directly connected neighboring routers.

Static Routing

Routing paths that change very slowly over time.

Dynamic Routing

Routing paths that change according to network traffic loads or topology changes.

Load-sensitive Routing

Routing that adjusts link costs dynamically based on current congestion levels.

Load insensitive Routing

Routing where link costs do not reflect current or past congestion levels.