1.2.

OSI Model
The OSI model classifies and organizes the tasks that hosts perform to prepare
data for transport across the network. You should be familiar with the OSI model
because it is the most widely used method for understanding and talking about
network communications.

However, remember that it is only a theoretical model that defines standards for
programmers and network administrators, not a model of actual physical layers.

Using the OSI model to discuss networking concepts has the following
advantages:

 Provides a common language or reference point between network

professionals
 Divides networking tasks into logical layers for easier comprehension
 Allows specialization of features at different levels
 Aids in troubleshooting
 Promotes standards interoperability between networks and devices
 Provides modularity in networking features (developers can change
features without changing the entire approach)

However, you must remember the following limitations of the OSI model:

 OSI layers are theoretical and do not actually perform real functions.
 Industry implementations rarely have a layer‐to‐layer correspondence with
the OSI layers.
 Different protocols within the stack perform different functions that help
send or receive the overall message.
 A particular protocol implementation may not represent every OSI layer (or
may spread across multiple layers).

To help remember the layer names of the OSI model, try the following mnemonic
devices:
 Mnemonic Mnemonic
Layer Name
(Bottom to top) (Top to bottom)
Layer 7 Application Away All
Layer 6 Presentation Pizza People
Layer 5 Session Sausage Seem
Layer 4 Transport Throw To
Layer 3 Network Not Need
Layer 2 Data Link Do Data
Layer 1 Physical Please Processing

Have some fun and come up with your own mnemonic for the OSI model,
but stick to just one so you don't get confused.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.2. Lower OSI Layer
The following table summarizes basic characteristics of the lower OSI model
layers.

Layer Description
The Physical layer of the OSI model sets standards for sending
and receiving electrical signals between devices. It describes
how digital data (bits) are converted to electric pulses, radio
Physical waves, or pulses of lights.

Devices that operate at the physical layer send and receive a

stream of bits.
The Media Access Control (MAC) layer defines specifications for
controlling access to the media. The MAC sublayer is
responsible for:

 Adding frame start and stop information to the packet

 Adding Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) for error
Media
checking
Access
 Converting frames into bits to be sent across the
Control
network
(MAC)
 Identifying network devices and network topologies in
Data preparation for media transmission
Link  Defining an address (such as the MAC address) for each
physical device on the network
 Controlling access to the transmission medium

The Logical Link Control (LLC) layer provides an interface

between the MAC layer and upper‐layer protocols. LLC
Logical
protocols are defined by the IEEE 802.2 committee. The LLC
Link
sublayer is responsible for:
Control
(LLC)
 Maintaining orderly delivery of frames through
sequencing
  Controlling the flow or rate of transmissions using the
following:
o Acknowledgements
o Buffering
o Windowing
 Ensuring error‐free reception of messages by
retransmitting
 Converting data into an acceptable form for the upper
layers
 Removing framing information from the packet and
forwarding the message to the Network layer
 Provide a way for upper layers of the OSI model to use
any MAC layer protocol
 Defining Service Access Points (SAPs) by tracking and
managing different protocols

The Network layer describes how data is routed across

networks and on to the destination. Network layer functions
include:

 Maintaining addresses of neighboring routers.

 Maintaining a list of known networks.
 Determining the next network point to which data
should be sent. Routers use a routing protocol to take
Network
into account various factors such as the number of hops
in the path, link speed, and link reliability to select the
optimal path for data.

Packets forwarded from the Transport to the Network layer

become datagrams and network‐specific (routing) information
is added. Network layer protocols then ensure that the data
arrives at the intended destinations.
The Transport layer provides a transition between the upper
and lower layers of the OSI model, making the upper and lower
Transport
layers transparent from each other.
  Upper layers format and process data without regard for
delivery
 Lower layers prepare the data for delivery by
fragmenting and attaching transport required
information

Transport layer uses the following:

 Port (or socket) numbers are used to identify distinct

applications running on the same system. This allows
each host to provide multiple services.
 The Transport layer receives large packets of information
from higher layers and breaks them into smaller packets
called segments. Segmentation is necessary to enable
the data to meet network size and format restrictions.
 The receiving Transport layer uses packet sequence
numbers to reassemble segments into the original
message.
 Connection‐oriented protocols perform error detection
and correction and identify lost packets for
retransmission. A connection‐oriented protocol is a good
choice where:
o Reliable, error‐free communications are more
important than speed
o Larger chunks of data are being sent
 Connectionless services assume an existing link between
devices and allow transmission without extensive session
establishment. Connectionless communications use no
error checking, session establishment, or
acknowledgements. Connectionless protocols allow
quick, efficient communication at the risk of data errors
and packet loss. Connectionless protocols are a good
choice where:
o Speed is important
o Smaller chunks of data are being sent
1.3. Upper OSI Model Layer
The following table summarizes basic characteristics of the upper OSI model
layers.

Layer Description
The Application layer integrates network functionality into the
host operating system, and enables network services. The
Application layer does not include specific applications that
provide services, but rather provides the capability for services to
operate on the network. These services include:

 File services‐‐transferring, storing, and updating shared data

 Print services‐‐enabling network printers to be shared by
multiple users
 Message services‐‐transferring data in many formats (text,
audio, video) from one location to another, or from one user
to another
 Application services‐‐sharing application processing
throughout the network and enabling specialized network
Application servers to perform processing tasks
 Database services‐‐storing, retrieving, and coordinating
database information throughout the network

The Application layer specifies many important network services

that are used on the Internet. These include:

 HTTP
 Telnet
 FTP
 TFTP
 SNMP

Note: Most Application layer protocols operate at multiple layers

down to the Session and even Transport layers. However, they are
classified as Application layer protocols because they start at the
 Application layer (the Application layer is the highest layer where
they operate).
The Presentation layer formats or "presents" data into a
compatible form for receipt by the Application layer or the
destination system. Specifically, the Presentation layer ensures:

 Formatting and translation of data between systems

 Negotiation of data transfer syntax between systems,
through converting character sets to the correct format.
 Compatibility with the host
 Encapsulation of data into message envelopes by encryption
and compression
Presentation  Restoration of data by decryption and decompression

The Presentation layer formats data for the Application layer.

Therefore, it also sets standards for multimedia and other file
formats. These include standard file formats such as:

 JPEG, BMP, TIFF, PICT

 MPEG, WMV, AVI
 ASCII, EBCDIC
 MIDI, WAV

The Session layer's primary function is managing the sessions in

which data is transferred. Functions at this layer may include:

 Establishment and maintenance of communication sessions

between the network hosts, ensuring that data is
transported.
Session
 Management of multiple sessions (each client connection is
called a session). A server can concurrently maintain
thousands of sessions.
 Assignment of the session ID number to each session, which
is then used by the Transport layer to properly route the
messages.
  Dialog control‐‐specifying how the network devices
coordinate with each other (simplex, half‐duplex, and full‐
duplex).
 Termination of communication sessions between network
hosts upon completion of the data transfer.

The Session layer protocols and interfaces coordinate requests and

responses between different hosts using the same application.
These protocols and interfaces include:

 Network File System (NFS)

 Apple Session Protocol (ASP)
 Structured Query Language (SQL)
 Remote procedure call (RPC)
 X Window

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.4. OSI Layer Review
The following table compares the functions performed at each OSI model layer.

Description and Encapsulati

Layer Protocols Devices
Keywords on
HTTP
Provides an interface
for a service to Telnet
User
Application operate information
FTP
Communication and data
TFTP
partner identification
SNMP
Data format JPEG, BMP, TIFF,
(file formats) PICT

Encryption, MPEG, WMV,

Presentation translation, AVI Data
and compression
ASCII, EBCDIC
Data format
and exchange MIDI, WAV
Keeps data streams SQL
separate (session
identification) NFS

Session Data
Set up, maintain, and ASP
tear down
RPC
communication
sessions X window
TCP
Reliable (connection‐
(connection‐
Transport oriented) and Segments
unreliable oriented)
 (connectionless) UDP
communications (connectionless)

End‐to‐end flow
control

Port and socket

numbers

Segmentation,
sequencing, and
combination
Logical addresses IP

Path determination Routers

IPX
Network (identification and Packets
Layer 3
selection) AppleTalk
switches
Routing packets DECNET
Logical Convert bits into
Link bytes and bytes into
Control frames
(LLC) LAN protocols:
MAC address, 802.2 (LLC),
hardware address 802.3 Network
(Ethernet), Interface Card
Logical network
802.5 (Token (NIC)
Data topology Ring), 802.11 transceivers Frames
Link Media (Wireless)
Media access
Access Switch
Control Flow control: WAN protocols:
(MAC) HDLC, PPP, Bridge
Acknowledgements Frame Relay,
Buffering ISDN, ATM
Windowing

Parity and CRC

 Transmission
media (cable
and wires)

Media
connectors
Move bits across
Transceivers
media
EIA/TIA 232 (including
Cables, connectors, (serial signaling) transceivers
pin positions built into
V.35 (modem NICs)
Physical signaling) Bits
Electrical signals
(voltage, bit Modems
Cat5
synchronization)
Repeaters
RJ45
Physical topology
(network layout) Hubs

Multiplexers

CSUs/DSUs

Wireless
Access Points

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.5. TCP/IP Protocol Suite
Groups of protocols (called protocol suites or protocol stacks) are designed to
interact and be used together. The TCP/IP protocol suite is used on the Internet
and on most networks. Nearly all computers today use TCP/IP protocols for
communication because it is highly scalable and routable. When learning about
TCP/IP protocols, it is common to use a theoretical layered model called the
TCP/IP model (also known as the Department of Defense (DoD) model). The layers
of the DoD model are as follows:

 The Application layer (also called the Process layer) corresponds to the
Session, Presentation, and Application layers of the OSI model.
 The Host‐to‐host layer is comparable to the Transport layer of the OSI
model and is responsible for error checking and reliable packet delivery.
Here, the data stream is broken into segments that must be assigned
sequence numbers so that the segments can be reassembled correctly on
the remote side after they are transported.
 The Internet layer is comparable to the Network layer of the OSI model. It is
responsible for moving packets through a network. This involves addressing
of hosts and making routing decisions to identify how the packet
transverses the network.
 The Network Access layer corresponds to the functions of the Physical and
Data Link layers of the OSI model. It is responsible for describing the
physical layout of the network and how messages are formatted on the
transmission medium. Sometimes this layer is divided into the Network
Access and the Physical layer.

Note: The TCP/IP model focuses specifically on the functions in the Internet layer
and the Host‐to‐Host layer. All other functions of the traditional OSI model are
encompassed in the first and fourth layers.

The following table lists several protocols in the TCP/IP protocol suite.
 OSI Model
Protocol Description DoD Model Layer
Layer(s)
File Transfer Protocol
(FTP) provides a generic
method of transferring
files. It can include file
File Transfer Application,
security through
Protocol Presentation, Application/Process
usernames and
(FTP) Session
passwords, and it allows
file transfer between
dissimilar computer
systems.
Trivial File Transfer
Protocol (TFTP) is similar
to FTP. It lets you
Trivial File transfer files between a
Application,
Transfer host and an FTP server.
Presentation, Application/Process
Protocol However, it provides no
Session
(TFTP) user authentication and
uses UDP instead of TCP
as the transport
protocol.
The Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP) is used
by Web browsers and
Web servers to exchange
Hypertext files (such as Web pages)
Application,
Transfer through the World Wide
Presentation, Application/Process
Protocol Web and intranets. HTTP
Session
(HTTP) can be described as an
information requesting
and responding protocol.
It is typically used to
request and send Web
 documents, but is also
used as the protocol for
communication between
agents using different
TCP/IP protocols.
Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol (SMTP) is used
Simple to route electronic mail
Mail through the Application,
Transfer internetwork. E‐mail Presentation, Application/Process
Protocol applications provide the Session
(SMTP) interface to
communicate with SMTP
or mail servers.
Simple Network
Management Protocol
(SNMP) is a protocol
designed for managing
Simple complex networks. SNMP
Network lets network hosts Application,
Management exchange configuration Presentation, Application/Process
Protocol and status information. Session
(SNMP) This information can be
gathered by
management software
and used to monitor and
manage the network.
Remote Terminal
Emulation (Telnet) allows
an attached computer to
act as a dumb terminal, Application,
Telnet with data processing Presentation, Application/Process
taking place on the Session
TCP/IP host computer. It
is still widely used to
provide connectivity
 between dissimilar
systems.

Network File System

(NFS) was initially
developed by Sun
Network Microsystems. It consists Application,
File System of several protocols that Presentation, Application/Process
(NFS) enable users on various Session
platforms to seamlessly
access files from remote
file systems.
Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP) is a
protocol optimized for
the transmission of voice
Voice
through the Internet or
Over Application,
other packet switched
Internet Presentation, Application/Process
networks. Voice over IP
Protocol Session
protocols carry
(VoIP)
telephony signals as
digital audio
encapsulated in a data
packet stream over IP.
Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) operates
at the Transport layer. It
provides connection‐
Transmission oriented services and
Control performs segment Host‐to‐Host
Transport
Protocol sequencing and service (Transport)
(TCP) addressing. It also
performs important
error‐checking functions
and is considered a host‐
to‐host protocol.
 User Datagram Protocol
(UDP) is considered a
host‐to‐host protocol like
TCP. It also performs
User functions at the
Datagram Transport layer. Host‐to‐Host
Transport
Protocol However, it is not (Transport)
(UDP) connection‐oriented like
TCP. Because of less
overhead, it transfers
data faster, but is not as
reliable.
Domain Name System
(DNS) is a system that is
distributed throughout
Domain the internetwork to
Name provide address/name Host‐to‐Host
Transport
System resolution. For example, (Transport)
(DNS) the name
"www.testout.com"
would be identified with
a specific IP address.
Internet Protocol (IP) is
the main TCP/IP
protocol. It is a
connectionless protocol
Internet that makes routing path
Protocol decisions, based on the Network Internet
(IP) information it receives
from ARP. It also handles
logical addressing issues
through the use of IP
addresses.
Internet Internet Control Message
Control Protocol (ICMP) works Network Internet
Message closely with IP in
Protocol providing error and
(ICMP) control information that
helps move data packets
through the
internetwork.
Internet Group
Membership Protocol
(IGMP) is a protocol for
defining host groups. All
group members can
Internet
receive broadcast
Group
messages intended for
Membership Network Internet
the group (called
Protocol
multicasts). Multicast
(IGMP)
groups can be composed
of devices within the
same network or across
networks (connected
with a router).
Address Resolution
Protocol (ARP) is used to
get the MAC address of a
Address host from a known IP
Resolution address. ARP is used
Network Internet
Protocol within a subnet to get
(ARP) the MAC address of a
device on the same
subnet as the requesting
device.
Reverse Both BOOTP (Bootstrap
Address Protocol) and RARP
Resolution (Reverse Address Network Internet
Protocol Resolution Protocol) are
(RARP) used to discover the IP
 address of a device with
a known MAC address.
BOOTP is an
enhancement to RARP,
and is more commonly
implemented than RARP.
Bootstrap As its name implies,
Protocol BOOTP is used by Network Internet
(BOOTP) computers as they boot
to receive an IP address
from a BOOTP server.
The BOOTP address
request packet sent by
the host is answered by
the server.
The Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol
(DHCP) simplifies address
administration. DHCP
servers maintain a list of
available and assigned
addresses, and
communicate
configuration
Dynamic
information to
Host
Configuration requesting hosts. DHCP Network Internet
Protocol has the following two
components.
(DHCP)
 A protocol for
delivering IP
configuration
parameters from a
DHCP server to a
host
 A protocol
specifying how IP
 addresses are
assigned

Open Shortest Path First

(OSPF) is a route
Open discovery protocol that
Shortest uses the link‐state
Path method. It is more Network Internet
First efficient than RIP in
(OSPF) updating routing tables,
especially on large
networks.
Routing Information
Protocol (RIP) is a route
Routing discovery protocol that
Information uses the distance‐vector
Network Internet
Protocol method. If the network is
(RIP) large and complex, OSPF
should be used instead of
RIP.

The TCP/IP protocol suite was developed to work independently of the Physical
layer implementation. You can use a wide variety of architectures with the TCP/IP
protocol suite.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.6. IP Address and Class
IP addresses allow hosts to participate on IP based networks. An IP address:

 Is a 32‐bit binary number represented as four octets (four 8‐bit values).

Each octet is separated by a period.
 IP addresses can be represented in one of two ways:
o Decimal (for example 131.107.2.200).
In decimal notation, each octet must be between 0 and 255.
o Binary (for example 10000011.01101011.00000010.11001000).
In binary notation, each octet is an 8‐digit number.
 The IP address includes both the network and the host address.
 Each IP address has an implied address class that can be used to infer the
network portion of the address.
 The subnet mask is a 32‐bit number that is associated with each IP address
that identifies the network portion of the address. In binary form, the
subnet mask is always a series of 1's followed by a series of 0's
(1's and 0's are never mixed in sequence in the mask).
A simple mask might be 255.255.255.0.

IP addresses have a default class. The address class identifies the range of IP
addresses and a default subnet mask used for the range. The following table
shows the default address class for each IP address range.

Default Subnet
Class Address Range First Octet Range
Mask
1.0.0.0 1‐126
A 255.0.0.0
126.255.255.255 00000001 01111110
128.0.0.0 128‐191
B 255.255.0.0
191.255.255.255 10000000 10111111

192.0.0.0 192‐223
C 255.255.255.0
223.255.255.255 11000000 11011111
 224.0.0.0 224‐239
D n/a
239.255.255.255 11100000 11101111
240.0.0.0 240‐255
E n/a
255.255.255.255 11110000 11111111

When using the default subnet mask for an IP address, you have the following
number of subnet addresses and hosts per subnet:

 There are only 126 Class A network IDs (most of these addresses are
already assigned). Each Class A address gives you 16,777,214 hosts per
network.
 There are 16,384 Class B network IDs. Each class B address gives you 65,534
hosts per network.
 There are 2,097,152 Class C network IDs. Each class C address gives you 254
hosts per network.
 Class D addresses are used for multicast groups rather than network and
host IDs.
 Class E addresses are reserved for experimental use.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.7. Special Address
You should understand the following special addresses:

Address Consideration
The first octet(s) in an address range is used to identify the network
itself. For the network address, the host portion of the address
contains all 0's. For example:

 Class A network address: 115.0.0.0

 Class B network address: 154.90.0.0
Network
 Class C network address: 221.65.244.0

0.0.0.0 is the network address used by routers to specify the

"default" route. Using a generic value reduces the number of routing
table entries. Some older routers use this address as a broadcast
address.
The range of IP addresses available to be assigned to network hosts is
identified by the subnet mask and/or the address class. For example:

 For the class A network address 115.0.0.0, the host range is

115.0.0.1 ‐ 115.255.255.254.
 For the class B network address 154.90.0.0, the host range is
Host 154.90.0.1 ‐ 154.90.255.254.
 For the class C network address 221.65.244.0, the host range is
221.65.244.1 ‐ 221.65.244.254.

Note: A special way to identify a host on a network is by setting the

network portion of the address to all 0's. For example, the address
0.0.64.128 means "host 64.128 on this network."
The last address in the range is used as the broadcast address and is
used to send messages to all hosts on the network. In binary form,
Broadcast
the broadcast address has all 1's in the host portion of the address.
For example, assuming the default subnet masks are used:
  115.255.255.255 is the broadcast address for network
115.0.0.0
 154.90.255.255 is the broadcast address for network
154.90.0.0
 221.65.244.255 is the broadcast address for network
221.65.244.0

Two other formats you might see for the broadcast address:

 The broadcast address might also be designated by setting

each of the network address bits to 0. For example,
0.0.255.255 is the broadcast address of a Class B address. This
designation means "the broadcast address for this network."
 255.255.255.255 indicates a broadcast message intended for
all hosts on this network.

Addresses in the 127.0.0.0 range are reserved for the local host (in
other words "this" host or the host you're currently working at).
Local host
The most commonly‐used address is 127.0.0.1 which is the loopback
address.
The following address ranges have been reserved for private use:

 10.0.0.0 ‐ 10.255.255.255
 172.16.0.0 ‐ 172.31.255.255
Private
 192.168.0.0 ‐ 192.168.255.255
use
Use addresses in these ranges for your private networks. Routers
connected to the Internet typically filter messages within these
ranges and prevent them from being propagated to the Internet.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.8. Data Encapsulation
Encapsulation is the process of breaking a message into packets, adding control
and other information, and transmitting the message through the transmission
media. You need to know the following five‐step data encapsulation process:

1. Upper (Session, Presentation, Application) layers prepare the data to be

sent through the network.
2. The Transport layer breaks the data into pieces called segments, adding
sequencing and control information.
3. The Network layer converts the segments into packets, adding logical
network and device addresses.
4. The Data Link layer converts the packets into frames, adding physical
device addressing information.
5. The Physical layer converts the frames into bits for transmission across the
transmission media.

The following short descriptions can help you remember the steps of the data
encapsulation process:

1. Upper layers (L5, L6, L7) ‐ data

2. Transport layer (L4) ‐ segments
3. Network layer (L3) ‐ packets containing logical addresses
4. Data Link layer (L2) ‐ framing that adds physical addresses
5. Physical layer (L1) ‐ bits

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.9. Ethernet Architecture
The following table shows specifics of the Ethernet architecture.

Specification Description
The physical topology is the mapping of the nodes of a network
and the physical connections between them, such as the layout
of wiring, cables, the locations of nodes, and the
interconnections between the nodes and the cabling or wiring
system. The logical topology is the way messages are sent
Topology
through the network connections. Ethernet supports the
following topologies:
Physical bus, logical bus
Physical star, logical bus
Physical star, logical star
Ethernet uses Carrier Sense, Multiple Access/Collision Detection
(CSMA/CD) to control access to the transmission medium.
Devices use the following process to send data:

1. Because all devices have equal access to the transmission

media (multiple access), a device with data to send first
listens to the transmission medium to determine if it is free
(carrier sense).
2. If it is not free, the device waits a random time and listens
again to the transmission medium. When it is free, the
Media access device transmits its message.
3. If two devices transmit at the same time, a collision occurs.
The sending devices detect the collision (collision
detection) and send a jam signal.
4. Both devices wait a random length of time before
attempting to resend the original message (called a
bakeoff).
 Ethernet supports the following cable types:

 Unshielded twisted‐pair cables (UTP) with RJ‐45

connectors. This is the most common transmission
medium used for Ethernet. Each cable consists of eight
wires, twisted into four pairs. UTP cables are classified by
categories:
o Cat3, rated up to 10 Mbps
o Cat4, rated up to 16 Mbps
Transmission
o Cat5, rated up to 100 Mbps
media
o Cat5e, rated up to 1,000 Mbps (gigabit)
 Fiber optic, most commonly used in high‐speed
applications such as servers or streaming media. Fiber
optic cables have ST, SC, LC, and MT‐RJ connectors.
 Coaxial for older Ethernet implementations (often called
thinnet or thicknet networks). Coaxial cables have F‐Type
and BNC connectors.

The Ethernet frame size is 64 to 1518 bytes (this is the same for
all Ethernet standards). Four frame types are supported:

 Ethernet 802.3 is the original Ethernet frame type.

 Ethernet 802.2 is the frame type that accommodates
standards set by the IEEE 802.2 committee related to the
logical link control (LLC) sublayer. It is a more current
frame type than 802.3.
 Ethernet II is a frame type that provides the ability to use
Frame type
TCP/IP as a transport/network layer protocol. Other
Ethernet frame types operate strictly with IPX/SPX as a
transport/network layer protocol.
 Ethernet SNAP (SubNetwork Address Protocol) is an
enhanced version of Ethernet 802.2 that allows for greater
compatibility with other network architectures such as
Token Ring. This frame type also supports TCP/IP.
 The MAC address (also called the burned‐in address) is the Data
Link layer physical device address.

 The MAC address is a 12‐digit hexadecimal number (each

number ranges from 0‐9 or A‐F).
 The address is often written as 00‐B0‐D0‐06‐BC‐AC or
00B0.D006.BCAC, although dashes, periods, and colons can
be used to divide the MAC address parts.
 The MAC address is guaranteed unique through design.
Physical
The first half (first 6 digits) of the MAC address is assigned
address
to each manufacturer. The manufacturer determines the
rest of the address, assigning a unique value which
identifies the host address. A manufacturer that uses all
the addresses in the original assignment can apply for a
new MAC address assignment.

Note: Some network cards allow you to change (logically

assigned address) the MAC address through jumpers, switches, or
software. However, there is little practical reason for doing so.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.10. Ethernet Standards
The following table compares the characteristics of various Ethernet
implementations.

Maximum Segment
Category Standard Bandwidth Cable Type
Length
Coaxial
10Base5 10 Mbps 500 meters
(thicknet)
Coaxial
10Base2 10 Mbps 185 meters
(thinnet)
Ethernet
10 Mbps
(half duplex) Twisted pair
10BaseT 100 meters
20 Mbps (Cat3, 4, or 5)
(full duplex)
100 Mbps
(half duplex) Twisted pair
100BaseTX 100 meters
200 Mbps (Cat5)
(full duplex)
100 Mbps
(half duplex) Twisted pair
100BaseT4 100 meters
Fast 200 Mbps (full (Cat5)
Ethernet duplex)
412 meters
100 Mbps (half duplex
(half duplex) multimode cable)
100BaseFX Fiber optic
200 Mbps 2,000 meters
(full duplex) (full duplex
singlemode cable)
1,000 Mbps
220 to 550 meters
Gigabit 1000BaseSX (half duplex)
Fiber optic depending on cable
Ethernet (short) 2,000 Mbps
quality
(full duplex)
 1,000 Mbps
550 to 5,000 meters
1000BaseLX (half duplex)
Fiber optic depending on cable
(long) 2,000 Mbps
quality
(full duplex)
1,000 Mbps
1000BaseCX (half duplex) Special 25 meters, used
(short copper) 2,000 Mbps copper within wiring closets
(full duplex)
1,000 Mbps
(half duplex) Twisted pair
1000BaseT 100 meters
2,000 Mbps (Cat5e)
(full duplex)

Fast Ethernet was designed to be as compatible with 10BaseT Ethernet as

possible. This provides an easy migration path from 10BaseT to
100BaseT/100BaseT4 (and even to Gigabit Ethernet).

 Most new networking devices that are Fast or Gigabit Ethernet capable also
support 10BaseT standards. Devices autosense the specifics of the network
configuration and set themselves to use the fastest communication method
possible.
 If your network uses 10BaseT and has Cat5 cable, you can slowly migrate
from 10BaseT to FastEthernet (remember that FastEthernet uses Cat5
cable). As you replace components such as NICs and hubs with FastEthernet
devices, portions of the network will begin operating at FastEthernet
speeds.
 You can begin your upgrade with:
o Critical components, such as hubs, switches, and server NICs
o Segments that service mission‐critical applications
o Workstations that have heavy bandwidth requirements
1.11. Half‐ and Full‐Duplex
With the original Ethernet standards, all devices shared the same cable.
This caused two problems:

 Collisions occur when two devices transmit at the same time.

Devices needed to be able to detect and recover from collisions.
 Each device could either transmit or receive data at any given time.
This meant that the device was either receiving data or listening for
incoming data. Devices were not able to both send and receive at the same
time (much like using a one‐lane road for traffic in two different directions).

These two problems were solved in the following ways:

 Using twisted pair cable, multiple strands of wires are combined into
a single cable. Devices can use different wires to send and receive data
(allowing them to do both simultaneously).
 Using switches, devices are given a dedicated communication path.
With a single device connected to a switch port, collisions are eliminated.

With these problems solved, you can turn off collision detection.
Devices can transmit and receive data simultaneously,
and can begin transmitting data as soon as they have data to send.

Devices with collision detection turned on operate in half‐duplex mode;

devices with collision detection turned off operate in full‐duplex mode.

Mode Description Bandwidth

 Collision detection is turned on
 The device can only send or
receive at any given time Up to the rated bandwidth
Half‐
 Devices connected to a hub (10 Mbps for 10BaseT,
duplex
must use half‐duplex 100 Mbps for 100BaseT, etc.)
communication
  Collision detection is turned off
 The device can send and receive
at the same time
 Requires full‐duplex capable Double the rated bandwidth
Full‐
NICs (20 Mbps for 10BaseT, 200 Mbps
duplex
 Requires switches with for 100BaseT, etc.)
dedicated switch ports
(a single device per port)

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.12. Bridge
A bridge is a data forwarding device that provides data transfer.
You should understand the following concepts relating to the operation
of bridges.

 Bridges connect two media segments that use the same protocol.
 Bridges examine the source address to determine the media segment
of network devices.
 Bridges operate at the Data Link layer of the OSI model.
 Bridges maintain a table of device addresses and their corresponding
segments.
 Each segment connected by a bridge can have the same network address.
 Messages within a media segment are prevented from crossing over
to another segment.

Bridges offer the following advantages:

 Bridges prevent wasted bandwidth by eliminating unnecessary traffic

between segments.
 Bridges increase the maximum network length.
 Bridges forward packets for multiple upper‐layer protocols.
 Bridges can link segments with dissimilar transmission media and media
access methods.

Bridges have the following limitations:

 Bridges cannot link multiple architectures because different frame types

are used.
 Bridges cannot translate upper‐layer protocols.
 Bridges cannot forward packets to different networks based on the
network address.
 Bridges do not filter broadcast packets.

Use bridges to isolate traffic to a segment, or to prevent unwanted traffic from

crossing over to other segments, or to slow WAN links. When designing the
placement of bridges on the network, follow the 80/20 rule.
  At least 80% of network traffic should stay within a segment.
 No more than 20% of network traffic should pass through the bridge to
another segment.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.13. Switch
A switch is a multiport bridge.
It provides the same functionality, but with a higher port density.
In addition, switches provide features that cannot be found in bridges.

 Switches are associated with the Data Link layer of the OSI Model.
 Switches build a forwarding database in a manner similar to bridges.
Switches examine the source and destination Data Link address in each
packet to build the database and make forwarding decisions.
 Switches connect multiple segments or devices and forward packets to only
one specific port.
 You can connect a single device to a switch port or multiple devices to a
switch port by using a hub.

Switches offer the following advantages over a non‐switched network.

 Switches create separate collision domains.

 Switches provide guaranteed bandwidth between devices,
if dedicated ports are used.
 Switches can be used to provide collision‐free networking,
if only one device is connected to each switch port.
 Switches enable full‐duplex communication.
 Switches induce less latency than other segmentation solutions.
 Switches can simultaneously switch multiple messages.
 Switches can mix 10 Mbps‐ and 100 Mbps‐capable devices,
if the switch is a 100 Mbps switch.
 Ethernet switches can be implemented without re‐cabling.

Switches have replaced bridges in most network applications.

1.14. Bridge and Switch Forwarding
Both bridges and switches build a forwarding database.
The database is a list of Data Link (MAC) addresses and the port used to reach
the device. Bridges and switches can automatically learn about devices to build
the forwarding database. A network administrator can also program the device
database manually.

Bridges and switches use the following process to dynamically build

the forwarding database:

 The process begins by examining the source address of an incoming packet.

If the source address is not in the forwarding database, an entry for the
address is made in the database. The port it came in on is also recorded.
 The destination address is then examined.
o If the destination address is in the database, the packet is forwarded
to the appropriate port if the port is different than the one on which
it was received.
o If the destination address is not in the database, the packet is sent
out all ports except for the one on which it was received.
This is known as flooding.
o A broadcast packet is forwarded (flooded) to all ports except the one
on which it was received.

Transparent bridges forward packets only if the following conditions are met.

 The frame contains data from the layers above the Data Link layer.
 The frame's integrity has been verified through a valid
Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC).
 The frame is not addressed to the bridge.

How switches forward packets depends on the switch type. The following table
compares the different methods the switch uses to forward packets
(some Cisco switches support all three methods).
Method Characteristics
Store‐and‐forward switches:

 Receive the entire frame.

Store‐and‐  Verify the frame's integrity (check the CRC).
forward Frames with errors are not forwarded.
 Forward the frame to the destination device.
 Introduce more latency (delay) than cut‐through switches.

Cut‐through switches:

 Read the destination device address.

Cut‐through
 Forward the packet without verifying frame integrity.
 Are faster than store‐and‐forward switches (less latency).

Fragment‐free switches:

 Read the first 64 bytes of a frame.

 Verify that the packet is not a fragment.
Fragment‐free
 Forward non‐fragmented frames.
 Introduce some latency, but not as great as store‐and‐
forward switching.

Note: Newer switches can monitor each port and determine which switching
method to use. They can automatically change to store‐and‐forward if the number
of errors on a port exceeds a configurable threshold.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757
1.15. Routing
A router is a device that sends packets from one network to another network.
Routers receive packets, read their headers to find addressing information,
and send them on to their correct destination on the network or Internet.
Routers can forward packets through an internetwork by maintaining routing
information in a database called a routing table.

The routing table typically contains the address of all known networks and routing
information about that network such as:

 Interface
 Routing Path
 Next Hop
 Route Metric (Cost)
 Route Timeout

Routers build and maintain their routing database by periodically sharing

information with other routers. The exact format of these exchanges is based
on the routing protocol.

The routing protocol determines:

 The information contained in the routing table

 How messages are routed from one network to another
 How topology changes (i.e. updates to the routing table)
are communicated between routers

Regardless of the method used, changes in routing information take some time
to be propagated to all routers on the network. The term convergence is used
to describe the condition when all routers have the same (or correct) routing
information.
1.16. Message Routing
To send a message from one host to another on a different network, the following
process is used:

1. The sending host prepares a packet to be sent. It uses its own IP address for
the source Network layer address, and the IP address of the final receiving
device as the destination Network layer address.
2. The sending host creates a frame by adding its own MAC address as the
source Physical layer address. For the destination Physical layer address, it
uses the MAC address of the default gateway router.
3. The sending host transmits the frame.
4. The next hop router reads the destination MAC address in the frame.
Because the frame is addressed to that router, it processes the frame.
5. The router strips off the frame header and examines the packet destination
address. It uses a routing protocol to identify the next hop router in the
path.
6. The router repackages the packet into a new frame. It uses its own MAC
address as the source Physical layer address. It uses the MAC address of the
next hop router for the destination Physical layer address.
7. The router transmits the frame.
8. The next hop router repeats step 4 through 7 as necessary, until the frame
arrives at the last router in the path.
9. The last router in the path receives the frame and checks the destination IP
address contained in the packet.
10.Because the destination device is on a directly connected network, the
router creates a frame using its own MAC address as the source address,
and the MAC address of the destination device as the destination physical
address.
11.The router transmits the frame.
12.The destination device receives the frame. Inside the packet it finds the
destination address matching its own IP address, with the source IP address
being that of the original sending device.

Be aware of the following:

  On an Ethernet network, the Data Link layer address is the MAC address.
On an IP network, the Network layer address is the IP address.
 Both Data Link physical addresses and Network logical addresses are used
to send packets between hosts.
 The Data Link address identifies the physical interface. The Network
address contains both a logical network address and a logical device
address.
 IP (Network layer) addresses are contained in the IP header; MAC (Data
Link) addresses are contained in the Ethernet frame header.
 Both the source and destination Network and Data Link addresses are
typically contained in the packet.
 Data Link addresses in the packet change as the packet is delivered from
hop to hop. At any point in the process, the Data Link destination address
indicates the physical address of the next hop on the route. The Data Link
source address is the physical address of the device sending the frame.
 Network addresses remain constant as the packet is delivered from hop to
hop. The Network addresses indicate the logical address of the original
sending device and the address of the final destination device.
 A router uses the logical network address specified at the Network layer to
forward messages to the appropriate network segment.

© Sergey Gorokhod
MCT/MCSE/MCITP/MCTS/MCSA/CCSE/CCSA/CCNA/A+®
E‐mail: [email protected]
Mob: (+972) 526848757