Q1. Explain IP addressing and subnetting with examples. What is CIDR?

IP addressing assigns a unique address to each device on a network. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses

like 192.168.1.1. Subnetting divides a network into smaller subnetworks to improve efficiency. For

example, 192.168.1.0/24 means 256 IPs in a subnet. CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) allows

flexible allocation using suffix notation like /24.

Q2. Define ARP and RARP. How are they used in a network?

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps IP addresses to MAC addresses. RARP (Reverse ARP)

maps MAC addresses to IP addresses. They help devices find each other on local networks.

Q3. What is the role of DHCP and ICMP in network communication?

DHCP assigns IP addresses dynamically to devices. ICMP sends error and status messages, used

in diagnostics like ping and traceroute.

Q4. Differentiate between static and dynamic routing. Name and explain any two routing

algorithms.

Static routing is manually configured. Dynamic routing adapts automatically. Algorithms: (1)

Distance Vector: Routers share distance info. (2) Link State: Routers share full topology and

calculate best paths.

Q6. Implement and explain Stop-and-Wait and Sliding Window Protocol.

Stop-and-Wait: Sender sends one frame and waits for ACK. Simple but inefficient. Sliding Window:

Allows multiple frames to be sent before ACKs. Increases throughput.

Q7. Compare TCP and UDP in terms of reliability, speed, and usage.

TCP: Reliable, slower, used for web, email. UDP: Unreliable, faster, used for video streaming, DNS.

Q8. Discuss TCP congestion control mechanisms.

Mechanisms: Slow Start, Congestion Avoidance, Fast Retransmit, Fast Recovery. These adapt

sending rate to avoid congestion.

Q9. What is QoS (Quality of Service) in networking? How does it impact performance?
QoS prioritizes traffic to ensure performance. Important for VoIP, video. Impacts delay, jitter, and

packet loss.

Q10. Explain the concept of logical addressing in the network layer. Why are IP addresses

required even when MAC addresses exist?

Logical addressing provides global unique identification (IP). MAC is hardware-based and local. IP

enables routing across networks.

Q11. Describe in detail the process of routing. Differentiate between distance vector and link

state routing protocols.

Routing is selecting paths for data. Distance Vector shares distance info with neighbors. Link State

shares entire topology and uses algorithms like Dijkstra.

Q12. What is ICMP? Explain its message types and how it helps in network diagnostics (e.g.,

ping, traceroute).

ICMP sends control messages. Message types: Echo Request/Reply (ping), Destination

Unreachable, Time Exceeded (traceroute). Helps in troubleshooting.

Q13. Compare IPv4 and IPv6 in terms of features, address structure, and benefits. Provide

examples of each format.

IPv4: 32-bit, e.g., 192.168.1.1. IPv6: 128-bit, e.g., 2001:0db8::1. IPv6 offers more addresses, better

security, and no NAT.

Q14. Write short notes on:

a) Subnet Mask: Defines network and host bits.

b) Default Gateway: Router that forwards traffic to other networks.

c) NAT: Translates private IPs to public IPs.

d) CIDR Notation: Denotes IP range using prefix length like /24.

Q15. Describe in detail how TCP ensures reliable data transfer using sequence numbers,

acknowledgements, and retransmissions.

retransmits lost packets.

Q16. What are the different phases of a TCP connection (3-way handshake and connection

termination)? Illustrate with a diagram.

3-way handshake: SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK. Termination: FIN, ACK from both sides. Ensures reliable

setup and teardown.

Q17. How does UDP differ from TCP in terms of error handling, connection establishment,

and use-cases?

UDP: No error correction, connectionless. Used in DNS, video. TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented.

Used in HTTP, FTP.

Q18. What is port addressing? Explain the role of port numbers in multiplexing and

demultiplexing at the transport layer.

Port addressing identifies specific processes. Enables multiple services (HTTP, FTP) on one device

via multiplexing/demultiplexing.

Q19. How does flow control work in TCP? Explain the sliding window mechanism.

Flow control prevents overwhelming receiver. Sliding window adjusts window size dynamically for

efficient transmission.

Q20. What is congestion control? Briefly explain TCP congestion control techniques like

Slow Start, Congestion Avoidance, and Fast Recovery.

Congestion control avoids overloading the network. Slow Start increases rate exponentially, then

Congestion Avoidance linear. Fast Recovery skips Slow Start after packet loss.

Q21. Define the Application Layer. List and describe at least five common Application Layer

protocols.

Application Layer provides network services. Protocols:

1. HTTP: Web browsing

3. DNS: Domain resolution

4. SMTP: Email sending

5. DHCP: IP assignment.

Q22. Explain how the DNS works. What are the roles of recursive and authoritative name

servers?

DNS resolves domain names to IPs. Recursive server queries on behalf of client. Authoritative

server has actual domain-IP mapping.

Q23. Compare HTTP and HTTPS. What additional features does HTTPS provide and how?

HTTP is insecure. HTTPS adds encryption (TLS/SSL), ensuring confidentiality and integrity via

certificates.

Q24. Describe the working of an Email System with respect to SMTP, POP3, and IMAP

protocols.

SMTP sends mail. POP3 downloads and deletes mail from server. IMAP keeps mail on server for

access from multiple devices.