Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach - Chapter 1

A comprehensive collection of flashcards designed to help students study key concepts from Chapter 1 of Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach.

What is the purpose of making PowerPoint slides available to users?

The slides are provided freely for faculty, students, and readers for educational purposes, with requests for proper attribution.

What does the chapter aim to give an overview of?

The chapter aims to provide a big picture and introduction to terminology related to computer networking.

What are some key topics covered in the chapter overview?

Topics include what is the Internet, what is a protocol, network edge, network core, performance, protocol layers, security, and history.

What is the Internet described as?

The Internet is described as a 'network of networks'.

What are packet switches used for?

Packet switches, such as routers and switches, are used to forward packets of data.

What type of communication links are mentioned?

Fiber, copper, radio, and satellite communication links.

What is the definition of a host in networking?

A host is an end system that executes applications at the Internet's edge.

What are some examples of Internet-connected devices?

Examples include web-enabled toasters, security cameras, and smart refrigerators.

What do network protocols govern?

Network protocols govern all communication activity on the Internet.

What is the function of an Internet Protocol?

The Internet Protocol governs the format, order of messages, and actions taken on message transmission and receipt.

What are some standards for the Internet mentioned in the notes?

RFC (Request for Comments) and IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force).

What type of services does the Internet infrastructure provide?

The Internet infrastructure provides services like web access, streaming video, and email.

What do protocols define in a network?

Protocols define the format and order of messages sent and received among network entities.

What is an example of a human protocol?

Asking someone for the time.

What are the edge hosts in a network?

The edge hosts are clients and servers.

What do access networks refer to?

Access networks refer to how end systems connect to the Internet, such as residential and institutional networks.

What is the purpose of a cable modem splitter?

It allows different channels to transmit data over shared cable distribution networks.

What is the transmission rate for HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax)?

HFC can achieve downstream rates of 40 Mbps to 1.2 Gbps and upstream rates of 30-100 Mbps.

What technology is used for DSL connections?

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) uses existing telephone lines to provide internet connections.

What are typical transmission rates for wired Ethernet?

Wired Ethernet typically has rates of 1 Gbps and can go up to 10 Gbps.

What is the function of a wireless access point?

A wireless access point connects end systems to a router via wireless communication.

What is one distinguishing feature of enterprise networks?

They often have a mix of wired and wireless link technologies.

What does a data center network connect?

A data center network connects many high-bandwidth servers to the Internet.

What is the formula for transmission delay?

Transmission delay can be calculated as L (bits) / R (bits/sec).

What types of media are classified as guided media?

Guided media includes physical media where signals propagate in solid media, such as copper or fiber.

What is the capacity of Twisted Pair (TP) and its categories?

Category 5 TP can handle 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, and Category 6 can handle up to 10 Gbps.

How do coaxial cables work?

Coaxial cables consist of two concentric copper conductors and can transmit data bidirectionally.

What is the transmission rate for fiber optic cables?

Fiber optic cables can achieve high-speed operations with transmission rates of tens to hundreds of Gbps.

What are the characteristics of wireless radio signals?

Wireless radio signals are broadcast without physical wires and can be affected by environmental factors.

What is meant by packet-switching in networking?

Packet-switching allows hosts to break application-layer messages into packets that can be routed over a network.

What are two key functions of the network core?

Forwarding packets and routing them from source to destination.

What is the local action in forwarding packets?

Forwarding packets involves moving them to the appropriate output link based on the routing algorithm.

What is a routing algorithm?

A routing algorithm is a global action that determines the paths taken by packets from source to destination.

What happens during packet queuing?

Queuing occurs when packets arrive at a link faster than they can be transmitted, causing delays.

How does circuit switching differ from packet switching?

Circuit switching allocates end-to-end resources for a call, while packet switching shares resources for multiple communications.

What is Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)?

FDM divides the available frequency bands into narrower bands for different users.

What are the primary characteristics of modern circuit switching?

It provides dedicated resources for transmission, allowing guaranteed performance.

How is Internet structure described in terms of connectivity?

The Internet is a complex, interconnected network of access ISPs, supporting many hosts.

What is the function of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP)?

IXPs facilitate the direct interconnection of networks to improve traffic routing.

What models are used to understand the Internet's layered structure?

The layered model organizes different functionalities of the network, such as application, transport, network, etc.

What is the importance of modularization in network layering?

It simplifies system maintenance and allows changes in one layer without affecting others.

What are the five layers in the Internet protocol stack?

Application, Transport, Network, Link, and Physical layers.

What does encapsulation mean in networking?

Encapsulation refers to wrapping data with protocol headers at each layer of the network.

What is the significance of the OSI model in networking?

The OSI model provides a structured framework for understanding how different network protocols interact.

What is the historical significance of ARPAnet?

ARPAnet was the first operational packet-switching network, leading to the development of the Internet.

What major event occurred in 1983 regarding networking protocols?

The deployment of TCP/IP as the standard protocol for networking.

How did the commercialization of the Internet evolve in the 1990s?

Commercial use of the Internet grew after the NSF lifted restrictions, leading to new applications.

What year marked the introduction of broadband home access?

Broadband home access was aggressively deployed starting in 2005.

What impact did smartphones have on Internet usage?

By 2017, smartphones outnumbered fixed devices connected to the Internet.

What are bad actors in the context of network security?

Bad actors are individuals or groups that exploit vulnerabilities in computer networks.

What are some examples of packet interference methods?

Packet sniffing, IP spoofing, and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.

What is the purpose of firewalls in network security?

Firewalls filter incoming packets to restrict unauthorized access and protect network resources.

Why are security considerations important in networking?

They protect networks from attacks, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

How do protocols relate to services in the network model?

Protocols support services provided at each layer in the layered network model.

What posed as a limitation in the original Internet design?

The original Internet was not designed with security considerations in mind.

How is the Internet designed to deliver messages?

Through a series of layers that encapsulate messages as they are transmitted across the network.

What are the challenges of working with network protocols?

Complexity, potential congestion, and maintaining reliable communication across diverse networks.

What does 'Best-effort service model' mean?

It means that the network makes no guarantees on delivery or performance of packets.

How are packet delays caused in networks?

Packet delays can occur due to queuing, processing, transmission, and propagation.

What is used to measure real Internet delays?

Traceroute is used to provide delay measurements along the path to a destination.