Computer Networking: A Top Down Approach - Chapter 6: Link Layer and LANs

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the link layer and local area networks as discussed in Chapter 6.

Link Layer

The layer responsible for transferring datagrams from one node to physically adjacent nodes over a link.

Frame

A Layer-2 packet that encapsulates datagram data in the link layer.

Error Detection

A process to identify errors caused by signal attenuation and noise during data transmission.

Error Correction

A method that allows a receiver to identify and correct bit errors without requiring retransmission.

MAC Address

A 48-bit address used to identify devices on a local area network (LAN).

Ethernet

The dominant wired LAN technology that uses a connectionless and unreliable MAC protocol.

CSMA/CD

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection; a network protocol that listens for transmission activity to avoid collisions.

VLAN

Virtual Local Area Network; allows multiple virtual networks to exist within a single physical network infrastructure.

ARP

Address Resolution Protocol; a protocol used to find a MAC address associated with a given IP address.

MPLS

Multiprotocol Label Switching; a technique that uses fixed-length labels for high-speed IP forwarding.

Error Detection and Correction (EDC)

Redundancy bits added to data for the purpose of identifying and correcting errors.

Encoding

The format of data transmitted over communication channels, often influencing error detection and correction capabilities.

Multiple Access Protocols

Protocols that allow multiple nodes to share communication channels.

Flow Control

Controls the pace of sending data between sender and receiver to prevent overflow.

Link Utilization

The efficiency of a communication link as measured by its usage by traffic vs its total capacity.

Polling

A method where a master node invites slave nodes to transmit in turn.