NTC/362 Week 3 OSI Model, Switching Systems, Network Channel

NTC/362 Week 3 OSI Model, Switching Systems, Network Channel Processors, and Media

NTC/362 Week 3 OSI Model, Switching Systems, Network Channel Processors, and Media

NTC/362 Week 3 OSI Model, Switching Systems, Network Channel Processors, and Media

Supporting Activities: Introduction to Network Channels, Processors, and Media

A switch operates at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. It examines packet headers to read the MAC (Media Access Control) addresses, enabling it to identify individual devices connected to its ports. By maintaining a MAC address table, a switch can efficiently forward data packets only to the intended recipient device, reducing unnecessary network traffic and enhancing performance. This process allows the switch to learn the location of each device based on MAC addresses, improving network security and management. Unlike hubs, switches provide dedicated communication channels between devices, which makes them more efficient in handling network traffic and reducing collisions within the network. The ability to analyze Data Link layer information makes switches fundamental components for modern Ethernet networks, aiding in scalability and network management.

Supporting Activity: Introduction to Circuit Switching

Circuit switching is a method used in networks to establish a dedicated communication path between two nodes for the duration of a session. This process mirrors traditional telephone systems, where a physical circuit is set up before communication begins. When a device initiates a connection, a dedicated path is established through the network's switches and nodes, and this path remains active until the communication ends. Each circuit is reserved exclusively for the connected devices, ensuring a continuous and guaranteed data transfer rate. While circuit switching provides reliable and consistent communication, it can be inefficient in modern networks because resources are reserved even when no data is being transmitted. Nonetheless, it remains fundamental in certain applications like voice calls where consistent quality and low latency are critical.

Supporting Activity: Introduction to Packet Switching

In packet-switched networks, data is divided into packets before transmission. Each packet contains not only the payload (actual data) but also control information such as source and destination addresses. Unlike circuit switching, packet switching does not establish a dedicated path; instead, packets are sent independently through the network, possibly taking different routes to reach their destination. Devices like hubs operate at the Physical layer and lack the ability to determine the destination of data packets. As a result, they broadcast every incoming packet to all connected ports, regardless of the intended recipient. This method can lead to network inefficiencies and collisions but is highly scalable and efficient for bursty data traffic typical in modern data networks, such as the Internet. Packet switching enhances network resource utilization and robustness but requires sophisticated routing and addressing mechanisms.

Paper For Above instruction

The OSI model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how different network devices and protocols interact within a layered architecture. Among these layers, the Data Link layer (Layer 2) plays a vital role in facilitating reliable data transfer between devices on a local network. Switches, which operate at this layer, analyze MAC addresses embedded in packets to determine where to forward data. This capability allows switches to create a MAC address table, dynamically learning device locations based on traffic patterns. The switch then uses this table to selectively forward frames, fostering efficient, collision-free communication that enhances overall network performance and security (Stallings, 2013). Unlike hubs, which indiscriminately broadcast incoming packets to all ports, switches offer targeted delivery, preserving bandwidth and minimizing congestion.

Circuit switching is historically significant in telecommunications and involves establishing a dedicated communication channel between two endpoints before data transmission. This approach ensures consistent, real-time data transfer with minimal delay, making it suitable for voice calls and live audio/video streaming (Cisco, 2023). Once a circuit is established, it remains active for the duration of the session, providing a dedicated path that guarantees bandwidth and low latency. Despite its reliability, circuit switching can be inefficient in packet data networks because it reserves resources regardless of data transfer activity, leading to underutilization. Modern networks often favor packet switching for its flexibility and efficiency, especially in data-rich environments.

Packet switching, by contrast, divides data into discrete units called packets, each containing address and control information that enables routers and switches to direct packets independently across a network. This approach underpins the architecture of the Internet, providing scalable, resource-efficient data transmission (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2011). Devices like hubs operate at the Physical layer and lack routing intelligence, broadcasting incoming data to all connected devices. This behavior leads to inefficiencies but was suitable in early Ethernet networks with limited traffic levels. Today, switches equipped with MAC address tables perform similar functions more efficiently by forwarding packets only to intended recipients, thereby reducing unnecessary traffic and collisions.

References

  • Cisco. (2023). Introduction to Circuit Switching. Cisco Networking Academy. https://www.cisco.com
  • Stallings, W. (2013). Data and Computer Communications (10th ed.). Pearson.
  • Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson.
  • Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson.
  • Odom, W. (2012). CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
  • Forouzan, B. A. (2007). Data Communications and Networking. McGraw-Hill.
  • Leung, F. K. (2019). Network Switching: Principles and Practices. Wiley.
  • Gordon, J. (2014). Network Media and Broadcasting. IEEE Communications Magazine, 52(7), 10-16.
  • Nightingale, E., & Vescovi, N. (2015). Modern Ethernet: An Overview. Journal of Communications and Networks, 17(2), 115-124.
  • FitzGerald, J., & Dennis, A. (2019). Business Data Communications and Networking (13th ed.). Wiley.

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