Networking Essentials: Narrowband vs. Broadband, ARP, and More
Networking Fundamentals: Key Concepts Explained
Narrowband vs. Broadband
- Narrowband Technologies: Refers to technologies that deliver data at up to 128 Kbps. For example, dial-up connections with a maximum data rate of 56 Kbps are classified as narrowband.
- Broadband Technologies: Generally refers to technologies that offer high data rates. The exact boundary between broadband and narrowband is not clearly defined.
Thicknet vs. Thinnet
Ethernet LANs using thick cable for interconnection are referred to as Thicknet. Ethernet systems using thinner coaxial cable are referred to as Thinnet. Thicknet is also referred to as 10Base5 systems, where 10 means 10Mbps speed.
Dead Zones and Overlapping in Access Points (APs)
- Dead Zone: If a pair of APs are too far apart, a dead zone will exist between them.
- Overlap: Overlap will exist in which a wireless host can reach both access points.
IP Addresses and Subnets
An IP address is a unique string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies each computer using the IP protocol to communicate over a network.
Subnet: Subnetting is the process of dividing an IP network into smaller logical IP networks.
Asymmetric Internet Usage
Internet users typically follow an asymmetric pattern, receiving more data than they send.
- A browser sends a URL (a few bytes).
- In response, a web server sends content.
Symmetric DSL (SDSL) vs. Asymmetric DSL (ADSL)
- SDSL: A type of DSL used to deliver high-speed Internet connectivity. Commonly used by businesses that export data.
- ADSL: The most widely deployed variant, commonly used by residential customers.
Advanced Networking Topics
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
ARP: Takes an IP address in an IP datagram and translates it into the appropriate medium access control layer address for delivery on a local area network.
Importance of ARP: ARP converts IP addresses to Ethernet addresses. ARP is vital because Ethernet hardware communicates using Ethernet addresses, not IP addresses.
Working of ARP: ARP operates through a series of network communications to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses.
Cell Clusters and Frequency Reuse
Cell Cluster:
- A group of cells is called a cluster, and frequencies are not reused within a cluster.
- Frequencies used in a single cell cluster can be reused in additional clusters of cells.
- A large number of cells per cluster arrangement reduces interference to the system.
Frequency Reuse:
- Frequency reuse is the process of allocating channels to the cellular system. Due to the limited spectrum at the cellular band, channel frequencies need to be reused.
- Cells are allocated groups of channels that are completely different from those of neighboring cells.
- Cells with the same number have the same set of frequencies. If the number of available frequencies is 7, the frequency reuse factor is 1/7, which implies that each cell is using 1/7 of obtainable frequencies.
- Frequency reuse introduces interference into the system.
Ethernet Frame Format
An Ethernet Frame is a physical layer communications transmission, comprised of 6 fields which are assembled to transmit any higher layer protocol over an Ethernet fabric.
