Which One Of These Is Not An End Node Web Server Mail Client

Whichoneof These Isnotan End Nodeweb Servermail Clienthome Computer

Which one of these is NOT an "end node": web server, mail client, home computer, router? An end node is a device that is a point of origin or destination within a network, typically like a computer, tablet, or server. A router, however, functions as a intermediary device that routes data between networks and is not considered an end node because it does not typically originate or terminate user data.

For formal documentation of TCP/IP, you can refer to the Request for Comments (RFC) documents published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), specifically RFC 791 (Internet Protocol) and RFC 793 (Transmission Control Protocol). These documents specify the standards, protocols, and technical details of TCP/IP.

The TCP protocol ensures reliable data transmission by mechanisms like acknowledgments, retransmissions, and sequencing. This means TCP is a "reliable" protocol rather than "best effort", which applies to protocols like UDP that do not guarantee delivery.

Skype functions as a "peer to peer" (P2P) network, meaning that each participant communicates directly with others rather than through a central server. This setup allows for dynamic, decentralized communication where each node can act as both client and server.

In a business scenario where a dedicated 100 Mbps link is provided via ATT, even though the link is said to be "dedicated," it traverses shared fiber optic infrastructure. This type of connection is best described as a (___) circuit-switched or (___) packet-switched? It is a circuit-switched connection because it provides a continuous, dedicated communication path during the session.

When making a traditional landline telephone call, the communication is an example of (___) circuit-switched or (___) packet-switched? It is a circuit-switched process because the physical circuit is established for the duration of the call.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and Dial-up both use the same twisted pair copper wires. DSL is preferred because it allows for higher data rates and does not tie up the phone line for voice calls, as it uses a higher frequency band that does not interfere with voice transmission.

Time Warner providing cable modem service ("Road Runner") is likely a Tier-2 ISP because it operates in multiple regions and connects to Tier-1 providers but does not have global reach itself. Tier-1 ISPs own the backbone infrastructure, while Tier-2 ISPs purchase transit from Tier-1 providers.

Of the four kinds of delays in a network, propagation delay cannot be predicted solely based on link speeds, distances, and message lengths because it depends on physical factors like transmission medium properties and signal propagation speed, which are variable and environment-dependent.

The dominant delay when sending a large file such as a 4GB movie compared to a 6MB music file is transmission delay, because larger files take longer to transmit over the network link, assuming the same bandwidth.

On satellite links, the propagation delay (delay caused by the physical travel time of signals through space) becomes much longer due to the vast distances involved, often adding hundreds of milliseconds to the total delay.

Between DSL and Cable, cable internet tends to be more prone to slowdowns during peak usage times because cable internet shares bandwidth among multiple users in a neighborhood. During heavy usage, speeds decrease as more users compete for the same bandwidth.

Matching Cable Types with Descriptions

  • Coaxial cable - The cable to homes used for TV, Internet, and phone
  • POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) - The cable used by carriers for long-distance communication
  • Twisted pair - The cable to homes which can carry TV, Internet, and phone
  • Fiber optic - The cable used for long-distance communication between major routers
  • Satellite link - (not specifically matched in the options but typically used for remote area connectivity)

Change from Wireless to Twisted Pair to Fiber

Data transmission in a network can shift between wireless, twisted pair (Ethernet), and fiber optic mediums through a series of interconnected network devices, each using appropriate network interfaces. When data leaves your wireless device, it first propagates via the wireless access point which is equipped with a wireless network interface card (NIC). This device acts as a wireless-to-wired bridge by converting wireless signals into Ethernet frames, which are then transmitted via a wired connection to a switch or router. These network infrastructure devices are equipped with Ethernet NICs and fiber optic transceivers, enabling conversion from copper Ethernet to fiber optic communication. Fiber optic cables connect major network nodes or data centers, supporting high-capacity, high-speed data transfer over long distances. The transition between these media types involves networking hardware such as wireless access points, Ethernet switches, media converters, and fiber transceivers, all configured with proper protocols like Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), and fiber optic standards (ITU-T G.652, G.655). This layered approach allows seamless data flow across multiple physical media within the network infrastructure, enabling flexible and scalable communication pathways.

References

  1. Comer, D. E. (2018). Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume One. Pearson.
  2. Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. Pearson.
  3. RFC 791 - Internet Protocol, IETF, https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc791
  4. RFC 793 - Transmission Control Protocol, IETF, https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc793
  5. Stallings, W. (2017). Data and Computer Communications. Pearson.
  6. Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks. Pearson.
  7. Hernandez, S. (2020). Network Basics: Types, Devices, and Protocols. Network World.
  8. Cisco Systems. (2020). Understanding Cable Modem and DSL Technologies. Cisco Documentation.
  9. Hurst, M. (2021). An Overview of Satellite Communications. IEEE Communications Magazine.
  10. Internet Society. (2022). How Data Moves Through Networks. https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/

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