Running Head: Data Communication 1

Running head: Data communication 1
Data Communication
Students’ Name
Institutional Affiliation
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.

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

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.

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Running head: Data communication 1

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

to transmit data via the repeaters.

3. List some basic functions performed at the MAC layer

of 10 Mbps and a bus length of 1 km.

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.

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

each other at exactly 250m

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

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

the communications stations perform? Repeat for ring and star.

while using the local acknowledgment.

For the Star Topology

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