Running head: Data communication 1

Data Communication

Students’ Name

Institutional Affiliation
Running head: Data communication 2

DATA COMMUNICATION

1. What is the difference between a store-and forward switch and a cut-through

switch?

Store and forwards switches are responsible for receiving the entire packet before commencing

data distribution. The cut through switches can also obtain several bytes of data and identify

which port to send the data to and initiate the distribution while it continues to receive data. The

cut through switches only works under limited conditions like, if the ports operate at the same

speed and if the output port is available while data is still received.

2. List four common LAN topologies and briefly describe their methods of operation

Bus: all stations are connected to their appropriate hardware called tap in a direct transmission

bus. The full operation of the tap and bus enables data to be transmitted on the bus and received

from the bus. A terminator is always located at the bus end to absorb signals from the bus.

Tree: in a tree topology the transmission cables have no closed loops. The tree starts at the head-

end which can have more than one transmission cables from it consisting of various branches

also. The branches can even have additional outlets making the layout more complicated. In this

particular layout, any transmission passed through the layout medium can be absorbed by any

other station.

Ring: in a ring topology the network is made up of repeaters which are linked up by point-to-

point in a closed loop. Each station connected to the network through the repeater, and it’s able

to transmit data via the repeaters.

Running head: Data communication 3

Star: All the stations in star topology are connected to a common centralized node using two

point-to-point connectors where each has a separate mandate of either transmit or receive data.

3. List some basic functions performed at the MAC layer

Some of the primary task performed by MAC layer include: Assembling all the data into a

flexible frame using addresses and detecting errors during transmission. During the receiving, it

disassembles the packed frame and still carries out the addresses identification and error

detection mandates. The MAC layer also controls the access to the LAN transmission mediums.

4. Consider a baseband bus with a number of equally spaced stations with a data rate

of 10 Mbps and a bus length of 1 km.

a) What is the mean time to send a frame of 1000 bits to another station, measured

from the beginning of transmission to the end of reception? Assume a propagation speed

of 200 m/microsec.

Assuming that the distance between two stations is recorded as 500M

Mean time to send = propagation time + transmission time

= 500m. / 200msec. + 1000bits / 10 000 000 bps.

= 2.5 msec. + 100 msec. = 102.5 msec.

b) If two stations begin to transmit at exactly the same time, their packets will interfere with

each other. If each transmitting station monitors the bus during transmission, how long

before it notices interference, in seconds? In bit times?

When two station start transmission at the same time the signal will interface

each other at exactly 250m

Running head: Data communication 4

T interface = (250m + 250m) / 200m/msec. = 2.5 msec.

5. A tree topology is to be provided that spans two buildings. If permission can be

obtained to string cable between the two buildings, one continuous tree layout will

be used. Otherwise, each building will have an independent tree topology network

and a point-to-point link will connect a special communications station on one

network with a communications station on the other network. What functions must

the communications stations perform? Repeat for ring and star.

Ring Topology

The communication station will have to; resending the entire frame on other links until the point

whereby the network host will be identified, through a process called MAC Bridge learning

process. The communication station will also buffer burst, cut down frames from the two rings

while using the local acknowledgment.

For the Star Topology

The communication station in star topology will still carry out the same functions as in the ring

topology. Resending the frames back till the network host is located and buffer bursts.