Computer Networking (EC43105FP) - Chapter 4: TCP/IP Network & Protocol

Learning Objectives

• Understand the TCP/IP Network Model.
• Describe the TCP/IP Protocol for data delivery.
• Configure TCP/IP Network Address & Subnet Mask.
• Explain Dynamic IP Addressing using DHCP.

1.0 Data Communication Protocols

• Defined as a set of rules for data format and transmission.
• Controls:
  • Network construction
  • Computer connectivity
  • Data formatting
  • Data transmission
  • Error handling
• Early networks were often incompatible.
• Two main network models: OSI Reference Model and TCP/IP Model.

2.0 OSI Reference Model

• Breaks communication into 7 layers:
  • Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data-Link, Physical
• Each layer offers specific services to the layer directly above it.

3.0 TCP/IP Model

• Recognized standard for Internet communication.
• Allows global computer communication.
• Advantages:
  • Open Protocol
  • System compatibility
  • Routable Protocol
  • Reliable and efficient data delivery
• Disadvantages:
  • Large protocol stack issues with MSDOS-based clients
• Comprises 4 layers: Application, Transport, Internet, Network Interface

3.6 Application Layer

• Includes Application, Session, Presentation layers of OSI.
• Access to other layers’ services and protocol definitions.
• Protocols: SMTP, HTTP, FTP, DNS, RIP, SNMP

3.7 Transport Layer

• Responsibilities of OSI Transport and part of Session layers.
• Protocols: TCP (connection-oriented, reliable) and UDP (connectionless, can be unreliable)

3.8 Internet Layer

• Analogous to OSI Network layer.
• Responsible for addressing, packaging, routing.
• Protocols: IP, ARP, ICMP, IGMP

3.9 Network Interface Layer

• Covers OSI Data Link and Physical layers.
• Responsible for TCP/IP packet delivery over the network medium.

4.0 Data Encapsulation

• Data includes headers and is encapsulated as it moves down the layers.
• Each layer packages data with its header.

5.0 Data Decapsulation

• Reverse process of encapsulation during data reception.

6.0 Internet Protocol (IPv4)

• Uses 32-bit addresses, supporting over 4 billion devices.
• Dotted Decimal Notation: e.g., 192.168.2.100

7.0 Network Address

• Unique IP address assignment for network hosts.
• Classes: A, B, C, D (Multicast), E (Reserved)

Subnetting

• Division of networks into subnets using Subnet Mask.
• Determines network ID.
• Default masks: Class A (255.0.0.0), B (255.255.0.0), C (255.255.255.0)

8.0 Internet Protocol (IPv6)

• Uses 128-bit addresses, supporting virtually unlimited devices.
• Key improvements: No NAT, Auto-configuration, Improved routing, etc.

9.0 Dynamic IP Address

• DHCP automates TCP/IP configuration.
• Reduces administrative overhead by leasing IP addresses.

Tutorial Questions

• TCP/IP Model sketching, advantages, disadvantages, encapsulation explanation.
• Definitions for IP Address, DHCP.
• IPv4 Classes and Host Addresses in Class C.
• Explanation of subnets and subnet masks.
• Binary conversion of IP addresses and determination of network class.
• Identification of Network ID in an IP address.