Important Topics in Computer Networks
1. Network Models and Protocols
- OSI and TCP/IP Reference Models: Explain the layers, their functions, and differences.
- Design issues of OSI layers: Include reliability, error control, and flow control.
- Layered protocols: Discuss advantages and disadvantages (modularity, complexity).
2. Transmission Media and Techniques
- Transmission media comparison: Coaxial, twisted-pair, and fiber optic cables.
- Guided vs. unguided media: Overview and examples of both types.
- Collision handling in CSMA/CD: Mechanism for collision detection and retransmission.
3. IP Addressing and Subnetting
- Classful vs. Classless IP addressing: Characteristics and key differences.
- Subnetting and Supernetting: Techniques, use cases, and comparison.
- IP Sub-blocking design: Example of dividing address blocks for different requirements.
4. Routing Algorithms
- Link State Routing: Steps and example of route calculation.
- Distance Vector Routing (DVR): Basics and the count-to-infinity problem.
5. Congestion Control and Traffic Management
- Congestion Control: Differentiate between open-loop and closed-loop techniques.
- Token bucket and Leaky bucket algorithms: Need, functionality, and examples.
6. Error Detection and Correction
- Types of error detection and correction techniques: Parity check, Hamming code.
- Examples and calculations for parity and Hamming codes.
7. Transport Layer Protocols
- TCP Connection establishment: Explain the 3-way handshake method.
- Sliding window protocols: Differences and uses of Selective Repeat and Go-Back-N.
8. Application Layer Protocols
- HTTP: Structure of request and response, and functionality.
- DNS, ARP, RARP: Overview and their roles in networking.
