Chapter 4: PROTOCOLS AND THE TCP/IP SUITE

Major disadvantages with the layered approach to protocols?

- There is data overhead because of the appending of multiple headers to the data. - There must be at least one protocol standard per layer. With so many layers, it takes a long time to develop and promulgate the standards.

What is a router?

A router is a device that operates at the Network layer of the OSI model to connect dissimilar networks.

What tasks are performed by the transport layer?

Data reliability and correct sequencing.

What are some advantages to layering as seen in the TCP/IP architecture?

Easier application development. Network can change without all programs being modified. It provides flexibility to modify network services. Addition of new services and management of network architecture is easy. Due to segmentation, it is easy to solve complex problems

What is a protocol data unit (PDU)?

The combination of data from the next higher communications layer and control information.

What is the major function of the network access layer?

The exchange of data between an end system (server, workstation, etc.) and the network to which it is attached.

What is a protocol?

The set of rules governing the way in which two entities cooperate to exchange data.

What is a protocol architecture?

The software structure that implements the communications function. Typically, the protocol architecture consists of a layered set of protocols, with one or more protocols at each layer.

What is TCP/IP?

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), originally designed to provide low level support for internetworking, is a set of networking protocols that allows two or more computers to communicate