Module 5: Communication Principles Flashcards
Explain the importance of standards and protocols in network communications.
5.1.1 Communication Protocols
Communication in our daily lives takes many forms and occurs in many environments. We have different expectations depending on whether we are chatting via the internet or participating in a job interview. Each situation has its corresponding expected behaviors and styles.
Before beginning to communicate with each other, we establish rules or agreements to govern the conversation. These agreements include the following:
- What method of communication should we use?
- What language should we use?
- Do we need to confirm that our messages are received?
Noted
Method, Language, and Confirmation Strategies
Before communication can begin, we may have to reach an agreement on the method used.
Before communication can begin, we may have to reach an agreement on the language used.
Communication is successful when the intended message has been received and confirmed.
These rules, or ___, must be followed in order for the message to be successfully delivered and understood.
protocols
Among the protocols that govern successful human communication are these:
- An identified sender and receiver
- Agreed upon method of communicating (face-to-face, telephone, letter, photograph)
- Common language and grammar
- Speed and timing of delivery
- Confirmation or acknowledgment requirements
- The techniques that are used in network communications share these fundamentals with human conversations.
Think about the commonly accepted protocols for sending text messages to your friends.
Noted
Just like humans, computers use ___, or ___, to communicate.
rules, protocols
___ are required for computers to properly communicate across the network.
Protocols
In both a wired and wireless environment, a ___ is defined as an area where all hosts must “speak the same language,” which, in computer terms means they must “share a common protocol.”
local network
If everyone in the same room spoke a different language, they would not be able to communicate. Likewise, if devices in a local network did not use the same protocols, they would not be able to communicate.
___ define many aspects of communication over the local network. These include message format, message size, timing, encoding, encapsulation, and message patterns.
Networking protocols
Protocol Characteristic
When a message is sent, it must use a specific ___ or structure. These depend on the type of message and the channel that is used to deliver the message.
Message format
Protocol Characteristic
The rules that govern the ___ of the pieces communicated across the network are very strict. They can also be different, depending on the channel used.
When a long message is sent from one host to another over a network, it may be necessary to break the message into smaller pieces in order to ensure that the message can be delivered reliably.
Message size
Protocol Characteristic
Many network communication functions are dependent on ___. It determines the speed at which the bits are transmitted across the network. It also affects when an individual host can send data and the total amount of data that can be sent in any one transmission.
Timing
Protocol Characteristic
Messages sent across the network are first converted into bits by the sending host. Each bit is ___ into a pattern of sounds, light waves, or electrical impulses depending on the network media over which the bits are transmitted. The destination host receives and decodes the signals in order to interpret the message.
Encoding (encoded)
Protocol Characteristic
Each message transmitted on a network must include a header that contains addressing information that identifies the source and destination hosts, otherwise it cannot be delivered.
___ is the process of adding this information to the pieces of data that make up the message. In addition to addressing, there may be other information in the header that ensures that the message is delivered to the correct application on the destination host.
Encapsulation
Protocol Characteristic
Some messages require an acknowledgment before the next message can be sent. This type of request/response ___ is a common aspect of many networking protocols. However, there are other types of messages that may be simply streamed across the network, without concern as to whether they reach their destination.
Message pattern
5.1.3 Check Your Understanding - Communication Protocols
Bianka, a Polish traveler in Hanoi, Vietnam, stops and asks Nguyệt for directions to the Ngoc Son Temple. They verbally communicate and determine that they both speak English. After receiving directions in English to the temple, Bianka repeats them to Nguyệt. Nguyệt says, “Yes, that is correct.” Select the order of the communications protocols used in this scenario?
◯ method, language, confirmation
◯ method, confirmation, language
◯ confirmation, method, language
◯ language, method, confirmation
method, language, confirmation
Bianka and Nguyệt first decided on the method of communication (verbal). Then they determined the that both speak English (language). Finally, Bianka repeated the directions (confirmation).
5.1.3 Check Your Understanding - Communication Protocols
Rory is studying the fields inside an Ethernet frame for an upcoming test and notices that the destination Media Access Control (MAC) address is listed first before the source MAC address. Which of the following protocol characteristics is Rory investigating?
◯ encoding
◯ message pattern
◯ message timing
◯ timing
◯ encapsulation
encapsulation
Networking protocols often have some type of addressing information to indicate the source and destination for the message.
5.1.3 Check Your Understanding - Communication Protocols
As Rory continues to study Ethernet, he discovers that a frame can typically be 64 to 1518 bytes of information that is converted into a series of bits before being sent out on the network. Which two protocol characteristics did Rory learn about for Ethernet?
▢ message pattern
▢ encapsulation
▢ encoding
▢ message size
▢ timing
encoding
message size
Networking protocols typically specify the maximum size for a message. In the case of Ethernet, there is also a minimum size of 64 bytes. In addition, Ethernet specifies a method for encoding the bits so that the destination can decode the message.
5.2.2 The Internet and Standards
With the increasing number of new devices and technologies coming online, how is it possible to manage all the changes and still reliably deliver services such as email? The answer is internet standards.
A standard is a set of rules that determines how something must be done. Networking and internet standards ensure that all devices connecting to the network implement the same set of rules or protocols in the same manner. Using standards, it is possible for different types of devices to send information to each other over the internet.
For example, the way in which an email is formatted, forwarded, and received by all devices is done according to a standard. If one person sends an email via a personal computer, another person can use a mobile phone to receive and read the email as long as the mobile phone uses the same standards as the personal computer.
Noted
A ___ is a set of rules that determines how something must be done.
standard
___ and ___ standards ensure that all devices connecting to the network implement the same set of rules or protocols in the same manner.
Networking, internet
Using standards, it is possible for different types of devices to send information to each other over the internet.
For example, the way in which an email is formatted, forwarded, and received by all devices is done according to a standard. If one person sends an email via a personal computer, another person can use a mobile phone to receive and read the email as long as the mobile phone uses the same standards as the personal computer.
5.2.3 Network Standards Organizations
An internet standard is the end result of a comprehensive cycle of discussion, problem solving, and testing. These different standards are developed, published, and maintained by a variety of organizations.
When a new standard is proposed, each stage of the development and approval process is recorded in a numbered Request for Comments (RFC) document so that the evolution of the standard is tracked. RFCs for internet standards are published and managed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Other standards organizations that support the internet include:
* IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
* IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority)
* ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)
* IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
* ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
* TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association)
Noted
When a new standard is proposed, each stage of the development and approval process is recorded in a numbered ___ document so that the evolution of the standard is tracked.
Request for Comments (RFC)
RFCs for internet standards are published and managed by the ___.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
5.2.4 Check Your Understanding - Communications Standards
The rules that govern network communications including the message format, message size, timing, and encapsulation, are known as network:
◯ messaging
◯ protocols
◯ signaling
◯ encoding
protocols
Protocols are the rules that govern network communications including the message format, message size, timing and encapsulation.
5.2.4 Check Your Understanding - Communications Standards
The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) records and publishes internet standards in documents known as:
◯ Internet Specification Standards (ISS)
◯ Internet Protocol Standards (IPS)
◯ Request for Comments (RFC)
◯ IETF Standards Documents (ISD)
Request for Comments (RFC)
The IETF publishes internet standards known as RFCs.