Data Communications & Computer Networks

CMPCY2007
Assignment Number 1 of 2

Computer Networks Architectures & Protocols

Maximum Mark Available 50

Weighting of this coursework towards the Module mark (%) 30%

Learning Outcomes Being Assessed  Ability to identify and describe the functions of each of the seven layers
of the OSI reference model and how standard protocols and networking
types fit into this model.

Tutor this work is for Dr. Omar Abuelmaatti / Dr. Hala Mokhtar
Handout date 02/02/2010
Handin date 08/03/2010
Expected handback date April 2010

Outline of Computer networks evolve over time as new technologies and applications are introduced into
Problem them. This ever-changing set of protocols that is used on the Internet is known collectively as the
Internet Stack. The OSI 7-layer model for networking has been a valuable tool to guide network
protocol designers. The Internet stack loosely follows the OSI model but various protocols are
known to ‘break’ the model in various ways, suggesting that the model is not a ‘perfect fit’. In the
first part of this assignment you are required to investigate the relation between the OSI and the
Internet TCP/IP protocol stack.

Innovation in computer networking continues at a rapid pace. One of these innovations is the
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networking architecture. In the second part of this assignment you are required
to analyse the different architectures of network applications and compare between them.

In recent years multimedia applications have become very popular and we are currently
witnessing widespread deployment of audio and video applications on the Internet. On the third
part of this assignment you are required to define the transport services currently available on the
Internet and discuss the ability of the Internet to support multimedia applications.

Detail of Part One (Computer Networks Layering Models)

Questions
The ISO/OSI 7-layer reference model, or simply the OSI model, has been influential in network
design for over 20 years now.

i. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a layered protocol

ii. Compare and contrast TCP/IP and OSI reference models. What are the problems of
TCP/IP? Why OSI did not take over the world?

iii. Use a diagram to show how a message is passed (physically and logically), using
the OSI model between two Application-layer peers that are separated by a single
router.

Examiner: HM/OA Moderator: Dr. Rubem Pereira Subject Leader Dr. David England
CMPCY2007 07/12/21
 Part Two (Network Application Architectures)

There are three predominant network application architectures used in modern network
applications: the client-server architecture, the Peer to Peer (P2P) architecture and a hybrid of the
client-server and P2P architectures.

i. Briefly compare and contrast client server and P2P architectures providing
one advantage of each.

ii. Choose one application that uses a hybrid of client-server and P2P
architectures and describe briefly how it works.

Part Three (Transport-layer Services and Protocols)

Transport layer has a critical role of providing communication services directly to the
application processes running on different host.

i. Regarding the transport services provided by the Internet, there is insufficient

support for interactive multimedia applications. Discuss the above statement
justifying why you agree or disagree with it

ii. Compare the functions provided by the two main transport protocols, TCP and
UDP. As part of your answer give an example application of each and why it is
used in that application.

iii. Describe briefly how TCP uses the window-size to provide both flow control
and congestion control.

What you should  A report consisting of your answers to part one, two and three of the above.
hand in
Guidelines/Length This is an individual coursework. You are requested to write a word-processed report (no
more than 10 pages) using Times New Roman font at size 12.
Resources
Required  Word processing facilities, lecture notes, the Internet and LRC collection of
books and scientific journals.
Plagiarism Your attention is drawn to the University Modular Framework Assessment Regulations
(Section D Appendix C) regarding academic impropriety This covers cheating, attempts
to cheat, plagiarism, collusion and any other attempts to gain an unfair advantage in
assessments. The work you submit must conform with those regulations.

Assessment Assessment Criteria % weighting for each

problem part
Part One Layering Models (15)
i. Advantages & disadvantages of layered protocol 4
ii. OSI Vs. TCP/IP 6
iii. Physical & logical paths 5
Part Two Application Architectures (15)
i. Comparison between client-server & P2P 8
ii. Application with hybrid architecture 7
Part Three Transport-Layer Services (15)
i. Discussion for multimedia application support 5
ii. Comparison between TCP & UDP 5
iii. Window-based flow and congestion controls 5
Report Presentation and quality of report 5