CST 311 Week 5

Get Your Kicks on Router 66: The Network Layer

This week in CST311, we explored the Network Layer, a vital component of how the internet works. Routing is the process that determines the best path for data to travel across a network, with routers collaborating to make these decisions. Meanwhile, forwarding happens at each router, where the router decides which direction to send a packet based on its forwarding table. To put it simply, routing is like mapping out the journey, while forwarding is the actual process of getting there.

Routers face a challenge when more packets arrive than they can send. Scheduling algorithms step in to manage this situation. For instance, Priority Queuing allows high-priority traffic, like video calls, to take precedence, while Round Robin and Weighted Fair Queueing ensure fair access for different data flows. These algorithms keep the internet running smoothly, ensuring responsiveness even during periods of heavy traffic.

We also examined how IP addresses are organized into subnets to manage large networks effectively. Using longest prefix matching, routers quickly determine where to send data. This method is essential for maintaining scalability and efficiency in networks, helping to route data to the correct destinations without overwhelming the system.

No discussion of networks is complete without packet loss and buffering. When routers receive more data than they can process, they temporarily store the data in buffers. However, these buffers can only hold so much, and when they fill up, packets may be lost, leading to delays. We learned how routers manage congestion through strategies to help mitigate traffic before it becomes an issue.

Lastly, we discussed DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network. This protocol eliminates the need for manual configuration and ensures that devices connect seamlessly, making network management much easier.

This week provided valuable insights into how the network layer functions, from routing decisions to managing data traffic and ensuring efficient connections. These concepts play a crucial role in keeping the internet connected and functioning smoothly.