Computer Networks - Weekly Notes
(Week 9 to Week 16)
Week 9
Network Connecting Devices
Devices include:
- Passive Hub: Just connects wires, no amplification.
- Active Hub: Amplifies signals.
- Repeater: Regenerates and amplifies weak signals.
- Bridge: Connects different LAN segments and filters traffic.
- Extended LAN Bridge: Connects multiple segments, allows extended network.
- Spanning Tree Algorithm: Prevents loops in networks by creating a tree topology.
- Bridged Network: A network where segments are connected via bridges for better
performance and segmentation.
Switches, Router, Gateway
- Switch: Operates at Layer 2, forwards based on MAC address.
- Router: Layer 3 device, routes packets using IP addresses.
- Gateway: Operates across layers; connects different protocols/networks.
Switched Ethernet and Full-Duplex Ethernet
- Switched Ethernet: Each device gets dedicated bandwidth.
- Full-Duplex: Simultaneous send and receive, no collisions.
Packet Switching and Wireless LANs
- Packet Switching: Data is divided into packets, routed independently.
- Wireless LAN: Wireless communication (WiFi). Uses 802.11 standards.
- Bluetooth: Short-range communication for peripherals and PAN.
Week 10
Internetworking
- IPv4 Addressing: 32-bit addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
- Classful Addressing: Classes A, B, C with fixed mask.
- Classless Addressing (CIDR): Allows flexible subnetting (e.g., /24).
IPv6 & NAT
- IPv6: 128-bit addressing (e.g., 2001:db8::1).
- Differences: Larger space, no NAT required, better security, simpler headers.
- NAT: Translates private IPs to public IP for internet communication.
Week 11
ARP, RARP, ICMP
- ARP: Resolves IP to MAC address.
- RARP: Resolves MAC to IP (obsolete).
- ICMP: Error and control messages (e.g., ping).
DHCP, Fragmentation
- DHCP: Assigns IP address dynamically.
- Fragmentation: Splitting IP packets to fit MTU of links.
Week 12
Routing Protocols
- Static Routing: Manual routes.
- Dynamic Routing: Uses protocols to discover routes (RIP, OSPF, BGP).
- RIP: Hop-count based.
- OSPF: Link-state, uses Dijkstra's.
- BGP: Path-vector protocol for inter-domain routing.
Routing Protocols Continued
- Metrics: Cost, delay, bandwidth.
- Convergence: Time taken to update network state.
- Administrative Distance: Preference value.
Week 13
Subnetting
- Divides a network into smaller networks.
- Uses subnet mask (e.g., 255.255.255.0).
- CIDR Notation: /24 means 24 bits for network.
Subnetting Continued
Example: 192.168.1.0/26 → 4 subnets.
Each has 64 IPs, 62 usable (2 reserved).
Week 14
Transport Layer Protocols
- UDP: Connectionless, fast, no reliability.
- TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented, ensures delivery.
Connection Establishment, Ports & Sockets
- TCP uses 3-way handshake.
- Ports: Logical endpoints (e.g., 80 for HTTP).
- Sockets: IP + Port combination.
Week 15
Flow & Congestion Control
- Flow Control: Ensures sender doesn't overwhelm receiver (TCP windowing).
- Congestion Control: Avoids network congestion (TCP uses algorithms like slow start,
congestion avoidance).
Flow & Congestion Control Continued
- TCP Algorithms: Fast retransmit, Fast recovery.
- Random Early Detection (RED): Used in routers to avoid congestion.
Week 16
Application Layer Protocols
- HTTP: Web browsing.
- FTP: File transfer.
- SMTP/POP3/IMAP: Email services.
- DNS: Domain name resolution.
Application Layer Protocols Continued
- Telnet/SSH: Remote terminal.
- SNMP: Network management.
- DHCP: Dynamic IP assignment (also used in lower layers).
