[Chapter 5 Quiz] Comp 20173 Data Communication And Networking

An IPv4 address consists of 32 bits. Each bit represents a binary digit, and when combined, they form a unique IP address used to identify devices on a network. The 32-bit address allows for a total of 2^32 (about 4.3 billion) unique addresses, which were initially thought to be sufficient but are now running out due to the rapid growth of the internet.

TCP is a transport layer protocol. The transport layer is responsible for the reliable delivery of data across a network. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a widely used transport layer protocol that provides reliable, connection-oriented communication between devices. It ensures that data packets are delivered in the correct order and without errors, using mechanisms such as acknowledgment, retransmission, and flow control. TCP is commonly used in applications such as web browsing, email, file transfer, and streaming media.

IP (Internet Protocol) provides connectionless network layer services. This means that IP does not establish a dedicated connection between the sender and receiver before transmitting data. Instead, it breaks the data into packets and sends them independently over the network. Each packet is treated as an individual entity and can take different paths to reach the destination. This approach allows for more efficient and flexible communication, but it also means that packets can be lost or arrive out of order. TCP and UDP are transport layer protocols that rely on IP for network layer services.

IP (Internet Protocol) is a network protocol that is used by both routers and hosts. Routers use IP to forward data packets between different networks, while hosts (devices such as computers, smartphones, etc.) use IP to send and receive data over a network. IP is responsible for addressing and routing data packets across networks, ensuring that they reach their intended destination. Therefore, the statement "It is used by both routers and hosts" is true.

Static routing uses information that is manually entered into the routing table. In static routing, the network administrator manually configures the routes and their associated metrics. This type of routing is typically used in small networks or in situations where the network topology is stable and changes infrequently. Static routes do not adapt to changes in the network, so they do not require the exchange of routing information between routers.

The network layer is responsible for routing packets and addressing them with an IP address. It is not responsible for delivery reliability or application data analysis. Delivery reliability is ensured at the transport layer, while application data analysis is performed at the application layer. Encapsulation and decapsulation are processes that occur at different layers of the networking model and are not specifically functions of the network layer.

In a connectionless protocol like IP, packets may occasionally get dropped en route to the destination. However, the destination host is still expecting the packet and will send a request if it does not arrive. This means that even if some packets are dropped, the destination host will ensure that the message is completed by requesting the missing packets.

IP is "media independent" because it works the same on all Layer 1 media. Layer 1 refers to the physical layer of the network, which includes the physical transmission medium such as copper wires, fiber optic cables, or wireless signals. IP, or Internet Protocol, is a network protocol that operates at a higher layer (Layer 3) and is responsible for addressing and routing data packets across different networks. Regardless of the specific physical media being used, IP treats them all the same and is able to transmit data packets across them without any differentiation.

When grouping hosts into a common network, it is important to consider the purpose of the network, as this will determine the specific requirements and configurations needed. Geographic location is another important factor to consider, as it can impact network performance and latency. Ownership is also crucial, as it determines who has control and responsibility for the network. Physical addressing, software version, and gateways are not key factors when grouping hosts into a common network.

A routing table contains information about the next-hop, metric, and destination network address for a route. The next-hop is the IP address of the next router or gateway that the packet should be forwarded to. The metric is a value that represents the cost or preference of a route. The destination network address is the IP address or network range that the route applies to. These three pieces of information are crucial for a router to determine the best path for forwarding packets to their intended destination.