Unit - 10. Fundamentals of Communication & Networking

What is a Network Protocol?

A set of agreed rules that govern how data is transmitted and communicated across a network

Why are standards and protocols crucial in networking?

They ensure interoperability. Hardware and software from different manufacturers can communicate seamlessly because they follow the same rules.

Name the 4 layes of TCP/IP protocol stack in order

• Application layer

• Transport layer

• Network layer

• Link Layer

What is the main responsibility of the application layer?

It interacts directly with the software application. It selects the appropriate protocol for the task.

What are the key responsibilities of the Transport Layer?

Establishes back to end connection:

• splits data into packets

• Number the packets

• Handles error checking and requests retransmission of the lost packets

What are the key responsibilities of the Network(Internet) layer?

Adds the source and destination IP addresses to the packets. Routes the packets across the network.

What are the key responsibilities of the Link Layer?

Acts as the physical interface with the network hardware:

• adds the source and destination MAC addresses to the packets

• Handles the physical transmission of data bit over cables or wireless signals

What is encapsulation?

The process of wrapping data in a new protocol header as it moves down the layer of the stack. Each layer adds its own special control information.

What data unit names are used at the Transport, Network and Link layers respectively?

• Segments - Transport layer

• Packets - Network layer

• Frames - Link layer

Describe what happens to a packet when it arrives at the destination device?

• The data moves up the stack.

• Each layer strips away its corresponding header and passes the remaining data upward

• This is done until the raw data reaches the application

What do HTTP and HTTPS stand for?

Hypertext Transfer protocol(secure)

What are HTTP and HTTPS used for?

• used for rendering webpages

• HTTPS encrypts the data using TLS/SSL for security

What is FTP used for?

File Transfer Protocol. Used for transmitting and manipulating files across a network

Compare SMTP and POP3/IMAP

• Simple Mail Transfer Protocol(SMTP) is used to send emails from a client to a server, or between servers

• POP3/IMAP is used to retrieve emails from a server to a client

What is the difference between POP3 and IMAP?

• POP3 downloads the email to the local device and deletes it from the server

• Whereas IMAP syncs email across devices; messages remain on the server until explicitly deleted

What is SSH and why is it preferred over Telnet?

Secure Shell is used for secure remote command line access to a computer . It encrypts the data transmission, unlike Telnet which sends data in a plain text

What is the purpose of an IP address, and at which layer does it operate?

A unique logical address assigned to a device on a network, used for global routing across networks. It operates at the Network Layer