Question 1

In IP networking, what is Proxy ARP and what problem does it solve on a local network segment?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Address Resolution Protocol, or ARP, is used on IPv4 networks to map IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local link. In some cases, it is useful for a router to respond to ARP requests for an IP address that does not actually belong to the local link, effectively pretending that a remote host is local. This behaviour is called Proxy ARP. Understanding Proxy ARP helps when dealing with complex subnetting and legacy network configurations. Given Data / Assumptions: - We are operating on a local Ethernet or similar broadcast segment where ARP requests are sent.- There is at least one router capable of forwarding packets to remote subnets.- Hosts may be configured with addresses that are not in the same subnet as the local network. Concept / Approach: Proxy ARP allows a router to reply to an ARP request for an IP address that resides on another network, using its own MAC address. When a local host sends an ARP request for that remote IP, the router responds with its MAC address. The host then sends packets to the router, which forwards them to the actual destination. To the host, it appears as though the remote host is on the same local subnet. This can be used to smooth over misconfigured subnet masks or to connect isolated hosts without changing their configuration. However, Proxy ARP can also create confusion and security concerns if misused. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that normal ARP is used by a host to find the MAC address associated with an IP address on the same network segment.Step 2: In a network that uses Proxy ARP, the router listens for ARP requests for IP addresses that belong to remote networks it can reach.Step 3: When such a request is heard, the router replies with its own MAC address, effectively saying that the host can reach that IP through the router.Step 4: The local host updates its ARP cache to map the remote IP address to the router MAC address and sends packets to that MAC.Step 5: The router then forwards the packets to the real destination network using normal routing.Step 6: Option A describes this exact process: a router answers ARP on behalf of another host, making it appear local.Step 7: Options B, C, D, and E assign encryption, translation, address assignment, or DNS broadcast functions to Proxy ARP, none of which match its true purpose. Verification / Alternative check: Networking references describe Proxy ARP as a way for a router to act as a proxy for ARP requests, and configuration guides show commands on routers that enable or disable Proxy ARP on interfaces. Example scenarios include connecting dial in clients directly to a LAN or supporting hosts with incorrect subnet masks. These documents clarify that Proxy ARP does not encrypt packets, assign addresses, or translate between IP versions, confirming that option A is the correct description. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Encryption of ARP is rare and would be handled by link layer security mechanisms, not by Proxy ARP. Translating between IPv4 and IPv6 uses techniques such as NAT64 and does not involve ARP proxying. Dynamic IP assignment is done by DHCP or related protocols, not ARP. DNS query broadcasting is part of DNS resolver behaviour and is unrelated to ARP at layer 2. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes think that any advanced ARP behaviour must involve security or encryption, but Proxy ARP is more about convenience and compatibility. Another pitfall is to confuse Proxy ARP with NAT. While both involve routers acting on behalf of other hosts, Proxy ARP operates at layer 2 for ARP messages, while NAT operates at layer 3 and 4 modifying IP addresses and ports. Keeping this layering difference in mind can help avoid confusion. Final Answer: Proxy ARP is a technique where a router answers ARP requests on behalf of another host, making that remote host appear to be on the same local network segment, as stated in option A.

Question 2

In network security, what is Kerberos and what service does it primarily provide in a distributed network environment?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Kerberos is a well known name in network security and appears in many exam syllabi. It was originally developed at MIT and is now widely used in enterprise environments, including in Microsoft Active Directory domains. The main idea of Kerberos is to provide secure authentication over an insecure network using a trusted third party and secret keys. This question asks you to recall what Kerberos is and what service it provides. Given Data / Assumptions: - We are considering a distributed network with multiple users and services.- The network may be insecure, so passwords cannot be sent in clear text.- There is a central trusted server that can help clients and services authenticate each other. Concept / Approach: Kerberos is a network authentication protocol based on a trusted third party called the Key Distribution Center or KDC. It uses symmetric key cryptography and issues time limited tickets that prove a user identity to network services without sending passwords across the network. A user first authenticates to the KDC and receives a ticket granting ticket. When the user wants to access a service, the KDC issues a service ticket that the user presents to the service. The service can trust the ticket because it is encrypted with a key shared with the KDC. This design provides mutual authentication and reduces the risk of credential theft. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify Kerberos as a security protocol rather than a routing or application level file transfer program.Step 2: Recall that Kerberos uses a central KDC to manage secret keys for both users and services.Step 3: Understand that Kerberos issues tickets that clients present to services, avoiding repeated password transmission.Step 4: Option A describes Kerberos as a trusted third party network authentication protocol using tickets and symmetric key cryptography, which matches this description.Step 5: Option B describes a routing protocol, more like BGP, and is unrelated to Kerberos.Step 6: Option C describes an unencrypted file transfer application, which is different from Kerberos.Step 7: Option D describes a wireless standard, which is not what Kerberos is.Step 8: Option E talks about compression, not authentication. Verification / Alternative check: Security references and protocol descriptions state that Kerberos provides strong authentication for client or server applications by using secret key cryptography. They describe the ticket granting ticket and service ticket model, as well as mutual authentication and prevention of replay attacks through time stamps. Enterprise documentation for Active Directory mentions that Kerberos is the default authentication protocol for domain logons. None of these sources mention routing, file transfer, wireless communication, or compression as the primary focus of Kerberos, confirming that option A is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Routing protocols like OSPF and BGP handle path selection and route announcements, not authentication. File transfer applications such as FTP and SCP transfer files, and secure versions may use SSH or TLS rather than Kerberos specifically. Wireless standards like 802.11 define radio and link level behaviour, not network wide authentication. Compression algorithms like gzip and deflate reduce data size but do not identify or authenticate users. Common Pitfalls: Students may recall that Kerberos is related to security but forget whether it deals with encryption, authentication, or both. While Kerberos uses encryption, its distinguishing role is as an authentication system built on tickets and a central key server. Another pitfall is to confuse Kerberos with SSL or TLS, which provide general transport security. Remember that Kerberos is about proving identity through tickets and is often integrated with logon and single sign on systems. Final Answer: Kerberos is a trusted third party network authentication protocol that uses tickets and symmetric keys to provide secure user and service authentication, as in option A.

Question 3

In IP networking terminology, what is a multi homed host and how is it connected to the network?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Multi homing is a concept that appears in network design and reliability discussions. A multi homed host is designed to maintain connectivity through more than one network interface or network path. This question asks you to define a multi homed host and distinguish it from other network devices and configurations. Given Data / Assumptions: - We are dealing with IP hosts such as servers or workstations.- Multi homed implies some form of multiplicity in network connections.- The options describe different kinds of hosts and devices. Concept / Approach: A multi homed host is a single computer that has more than one active network interface card or port. Each interface can be connected to a different network segment or even to different service providers. The host will usually have multiple IP addresses, one for each interface. Multi homing can be used for redundancy, load sharing, or participation in multiple security zones. This is different from a router, which is dedicated to forwarding between networks, and from simple servers that have only one interface but many users. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that a host is an end system that runs applications and communicates over a network.Step 2: Multi homed suggests multiple homes or connections, hinting at more than one network attachment.Step 3: A multi homed host therefore is a single machine with multiple network interfaces, each potentially connected to a different network.Step 4: Option A states that such a host has more than one network interface and is connected to two or more networks with multiple IP addresses, which matches the standard definition.Step 5: Option B simply describes a dial up only host, which lacks permanent connectivity but does not define multi homing.Step 6: Option C describes an access point serving clients, which is a network device but not what multi homed host means.Step 7: Option D describes a router, which forwards packets and may have multiple networks, but the term multi homed host refers to an end host, not a router.Step 8: Option E describes a server with multiple user accounts but only one network interface, which is different from multi homing. Verification / Alternative check: Networking literature uses multi homed host to refer to servers that have connections to multiple networks or Internet service providers, often to increase reliability or handle more traffic. Examples include web servers with two network cards, each connected to a different switch, so that a switch failure does not disconnect the host. Security designs sometimes place multi homed hosts between different security zones but still treat them as hosts rather than full routers. These descriptions align with option A. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Dial up connectivity does not inherently involve multiple interfaces and is considered single homed. Wireless access points are infrastructure devices, not end hosts, and are not called multi homed hosts by standard terminology. Routers are multi interface but are classified separately, and the term multi homed router is used when appropriate. The number of user accounts on a host is unrelated to whether it is multi homed. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse multi homed hosts with routers or with hosts that simply serve many users. The key is to focus on the number of physical or logical network interfaces and the fact that the machine is an end host running normal applications, not solely performing packet forwarding. Remember that multi homed equals multiple network attachments, usually with multiple IP addresses. Final Answer: A multi homed host is a host with more than one network interface connected to two or more networks, usually with multiple IP addresses, as stated in option A.

Question 4

In early Internet routing, what was the main purpose of the Gateway to Gateway Protocol (GGP) used between core routers?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Gateway to Gateway Protocol, or GGP, is a historical Internet protocol that appears in exam questions about the evolution of routing on the Internet. Before modern routing protocols like BGP were widely deployed, GGP was used among core gateways to exchange routing information. This question asks you to recall the primary role of GGP in that early architecture. Given Data / Assumptions: - We are dealing with core Internet routers, historically called gateways.- The goal of any routing protocol is to help routers build and maintain routing tables.- GGP is described as gateway to gateway, suggesting router to router communication. Concept / Approach: GGP was one of the first routing protocols used in the Internet to allow core gateways to share information about reachable networks. It enabled gateways to advertise which networks they could reach and to receive similar information from other gateways. Using this information, each gateway could build a routing table that allowed it to forward IP packets toward their destinations. Over time, more advanced protocols like EGP and BGP replaced GGP, but its main function remained the same: distributing routing information among routers in the core of the network. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the name Gateway to Gateway Protocol clearly suggests communication between gateways, meaning routers.Step 2: Consider what gateways need to exchange: they need reachability information so that they can populate and update routing tables.Step 3: Option A states that GGP was used to exchange routing information between core routers so that gateways could build and update routing tables, which matches this understanding.Step 4: Option B talks about secure end to end encryption for application data, which is the domain of protocols such as TLS or IPsec, not GGP.Step 5: Option C describes dynamic IP address assignment, which is handled by DHCP, not by routing protocols.Step 6: Option D describes converting between Ethernet and Wi Fi frame formats, which is handled by access points at the link layer, not by Internet routing protocols.Step 7: Option E refers to compression for email, which is an application level function unrelated to gateway routing. Verification / Alternative check: Historical Internet engineering documents describe GGP as the protocol that carried routing information among core gateways. It was based on a distance vector approach and operated at the network layer. Later, when the Internet grew, GGP was replaced by the Exterior Gateway Protocol and then by the Border Gateway Protocol. In all these cases, the essential function remained routing information exchange, not encryption, address assignment, or frame translation. This confirms that option A correctly captures the role of GGP. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Encryption, dynamic address assignment, frame conversion, and file compression are functions handled by very different protocols that operate at different layers. GGP does not provide security services, does not hand out IP addresses, and does not manipulate link layer frames. It exists specifically so that gateways can coordinate and agree on paths to various networks. Common Pitfalls: Because GGP is an older protocol, many students have never configured or seen it and may mistakenly associate any unfamiliar protocol with security or address management. Another pitfall is to confuse similarly named protocols like EGP and BGP. To avoid this, remember that any protocol with gateway to gateway in its name is very likely a routing protocol focused on sharing reachability information between routers. Final Answer: The Gateway to Gateway Protocol was used to exchange routing information between Internet core routers so that gateways could build and update their routing tables, as described in option A.

Question 5

In computer networking, what is the Network Virtual Terminal (NVT) concept used in the Telnet protocol?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Network Virtual Terminal (NVT) is a key conceptual idea behind the classic Telnet remote login protocol. Telnet was designed in the early days of the Internet to allow users with many different kinds of terminals and operating systems to log in remotely to servers. Because each vendor had its own keyboard codes, control sequences and screen behavior, Telnet needed a way to hide these differences and provide a common language for terminals and remote hosts. The NVT concept solves this interoperability problem. Given Data / Assumptions: We are working with the Telnet protocol defined for remote terminal access over TCP. Clients and servers may use different local terminal types and character encodings. A virtual representation is needed so that Telnet does not have to understand every possible real terminal. The question asks what NVT is in this context, not to describe implementation details of Telnet options. Concept / Approach: The Network Virtual Terminal is an abstract, standard terminal model defined by Telnet. Both the Telnet client and the Telnet server convert between their local representation and this standard representation. From the network's point of view, all data and control information are in NVT format, even though the actual user may be sitting at a different physical terminal type. This two way mapping allows any Telnet client to talk to any Telnet server as long as both support the NVT conventions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Telnet must support many different physical terminals without building custom code for each pair of client and server types. Step 2: To solve this, Telnet defines a simple, device independent character set and set of control functions called the Network Virtual Terminal. Step 3: The Telnet client converts keystrokes and local terminal controls into NVT codes before sending them over the TCP connection. Step 4: The Telnet server receives NVT codes and converts them into whatever local terminal or operating system interface it uses. Step 5: Because both ends translate to and from the same NVT format, any client can interoperate with any server. Verification / Alternative check: Protocol descriptions of Telnet state that all data sent over the Telnet connection are in NVT ASCII unless negotiated otherwise by Telnet options. This confirms that NVT is a standard representation, not a specific hardware terminal. Real world Telnet implementations use termcap or terminfo databases locally but speak NVT on the wire, which fits the conceptual model described here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A physical hardware terminal attached to a router is just one type of endpoint; it does not define NVT itself. A virtual private network provides secure tunnels but has nothing to do with Telnet's abstract terminal model. File transfer is handled by protocols such as FTP or SFTP, not by NVT, so describing NVT as a file transfer protocol is incorrect. Common Pitfalls: Many learners think NVT refers to a specific piece of software or hardware. In reality it is a conceptual standard. Another mistake is to confuse NVT with terminal emulation databases on the host. Those are local translation tools, whereas NVT is the common network level representation that Telnet uses to achieve interoperability. Final Answer: The Network Virtual Terminal (NVT) in Telnet is a standard, device independent virtual terminal representation that both ends of a Telnet session use to map between their local terminals and the network.

Question 6

In data communication and computer networks, what does the term bandwidth of a link or channel refer to?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Bandwidth is one of the most frequently used terms in data communication and computer networking. People casually say that a link has high bandwidth or low bandwidth, but in technical exams you must know the precise meaning. Understanding bandwidth is essential for topics such as link capacity, Quality of Service, congestion control and network performance analysis. Given Data / Assumptions: We are working in the context of digital data communication and computer networks. Bandwidth is being used in the sense of capacity of a link or channel, not only in the pure analog frequency sense. The question is asking for the correct conceptual definition, not for a numeric formula. We assume that typical units such as bits per second (b/s, kb/s, Mb/s, Gb/s) are familiar. Concept / Approach: In networking, the term bandwidth commonly refers to the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a communication link under given conditions. For digital links this is often called channel capacity and is expressed in bits per second. While the original analog meaning of bandwidth is the width of a frequency band in hertz, for exam purposes bandwidth in computer networks usually means the link's data carrying capacity. This capacity depends on the physical medium, modulation scheme, signal to noise ratio and protocol overheads. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognize that network performance is often summarized by two measures: bandwidth (capacity) and delay (latency). Step 2: Bandwidth answers the question: how many bits can be pushed through the link per unit time if the link is fully utilized. Step 3: Units such as 100 Mb/s Ethernet or 1 Gb/s optical links refer exactly to this maximum achievable data rate. Step 4: The physical width of a cable does not directly define bandwidth; two cables of similar thickness can have very different capacities depending on technology. Step 5: The number of users or size of IP address block are separate concepts and do not define the data rate over a physical or logical link. Verification / Alternative check: Standard textbooks define bandwidth in networking as the maximum amount of data that can pass through a network path per unit time. When an Internet Service Provider advertises a 50 Mb/s plan, it is offering a maximum downstream bandwidth of roughly 50 megabits per second. This directly matches option A and not the other interpretations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The physical width of the cable is only loosely related to performance and is never used as the formal definition of bandwidth in networking. The number of simultaneous users is a system capacity measure but not bandwidth of a single link. An IP address range describes addressing capability, not data rate, so it is unrelated to bandwidth. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to confuse bandwidth with frequency bandwidth in analog signals or to mix it up with latency. Another pitfall is to assume that if bandwidth is high, performance is always good. In reality, delay, loss and protocol behavior also matter. However, as a definition, you should simply remember that in networking, bandwidth usually means maximum data rate. Final Answer: In computer networks, bandwidth of a link refers to the maximum data rate that can be transmitted over that link per second, typically measured in bits per second.

Question 7

In X.25 based packet switched networks, what is meant by the 'Triple X' protocols?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Before modern IP based Internet became universal, X.25 packet switched networks were widely used to carry data over public telecommunication infrastructures. Many of these networks connected asynchronous character terminals to packet switched data networks using a device called a Packet Assembler Disassembler (PAD). The term 'Triple X' refers to a specific group of ITU-T recommendations that describe how such terminals interact with X.25 networks via a PAD. Given Data / Assumptions: We are in the context of X.25 public data networks and classical character terminals. PADs are used to collect characters from terminals and send them as packets over the X.25 network. The term 'Triple X' appears in older networking literature about X.25 services. The question asks what 'Triple X' means, not for detailed command syntax of each recommendation. Concept / Approach: 'Triple X' is a nickname for three related ITU-T recommendations: X.3, X.28 and X.29. Recommendation X.3 defines the PAD parameters, such as echoing behavior, line editing and timeout settings. X.28 specifies the interface between an asynchronous character terminal (DTE) and the PAD. X.29 specifies the procedures and protocol for the PAD to communicate with a remote host (packet mode DTE) over an X.25 network. Together, these three recommendations describe end to end behavior for terminals that access remote hosts through X.25 packet switched networks. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that X.25 itself defines packet level operation for a network, but does not fully specify terminal control behavior. Step 2: Recognize that PADs are necessary to bridge simple character oriented terminals to the packet network, and they need standard parameter sets and interfaces. Step 3: ITU-T published X.3 to standardize user adjustable PAD parameters, X.28 to define the terminal to PAD interface and X.29 to define PAD to host signaling. Step 4: Because all three recommendations have identifiers starting with 'X.' and are closely related, they are informally called the 'Triple X' protocols. Step 5: These protocols are not about triple redundancy, triple encryption or the OSI layers directly; they are about PAD based X.25 access. Verification / Alternative check: If you examine older networking textbooks or ITU-T documentation, you will find that chapters discussing X.25 networks and PADs almost always mention X.3, X.28 and X.29 together. They explicitly describe these as forming a set of PAD related protocols. None of these documents use 'Triple X' to refer to replication or security mechanisms, confirming that option A is the correct meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Running three copies of X.25 in parallel would be an unusual redundancy scheme and is not what the term 'Triple X' refers to. The three lowest layers of OSI (physical, data link and network) are relevant to X.25 but are not called 'Triple X' protocols. Triple encryption is a cryptographic idea unrelated to the X.3, X.28 and X.29 recommendations. Common Pitfalls: Because the term 'Triple X' is informal and sounds similar to pop culture terms, learners sometimes guess unrelated meanings. Another pitfall is confusing it with other X series recommendations such as X.25 itself. Remember that X.3, X.28 and X.29 form the trio that controls PAD behavior, and that is why they are collectively nicknamed 'Triple X' in the context of X.25 networks. Final Answer: In X.25 networks, 'Triple X' refers to the three ITU-T recommendations X.3, X.28 and X.29, which together define PAD parameters and the interfaces between terminals, PADs and X.25 packet switched networks.

Question 8

In the OSI reference model, at which layer is a classic Ethernet hub (multiport repeater) specified?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model divides network functionality into seven conceptual layers. Network devices such as hubs, switches and routers operate at different layers depending on what information they process. Understanding where each device fits helps students reason about address fields, frames, packets and protocols. This question asks specifically about the layer at which a classic Ethernet hub operates. Given Data / Assumptions: We are considering a traditional Ethernet hub, also called a multiport repeater. The hub simply regenerates and broadcasts electrical or signaling information to all ports. It does not understand MAC addresses, IP addresses or higher level protocol fields. We are mapping this device to the most appropriate OSI layer. Concept / Approach: The Physical Layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model is responsible for transmitting raw bits over the physical medium. It defines electrical, optical or radio signaling, bit timing and physical connectors. A hub operates purely at this level: it takes incoming signal transitions on one port, amplifies and reshapes them, and sends them out to all other ports. It does not inspect frame headers, make forwarding decisions based on MAC addresses or maintain any forwarding tables, which are Data Link Layer functions typically associated with switches and bridges. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the behavior of a hub. When a bit stream arrives on one port, the hub repeats the signals out on all other ports. Step 2: Notice that the hub does not look at the Ethernet frame structure or the destination MAC address; it treats everything as a stream of physical layer symbols. Step 3: Recognize that no addressing, framing or error checking decisions are made by the hub; those are handled by NICs and higher layer devices. Step 4: Map this functionality to the OSI model. Repeating and regenerating electrical signals is the job of the Physical Layer. Step 5: Conclude that the hub is a pure Layer 1 device and does not belong to the Data Link, Session or Application layers. Verification / Alternative check: Networking textbooks almost universally classify hubs and simple repeaters as Physical Layer devices. In contrast, bridges and switches are Data Link Layer devices because they interpret MAC addresses and selectively forward frames. Routers operate at the Network Layer because they examine IP headers. This consistent classification confirms that a hub belongs to the Physical Layer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The Data Link Layer works with frames and MAC addresses. Hubs do not read or act on MAC addresses, so they are not Layer 2 devices. The Application and Session Layers handle end user interactions and session control, far above the simple bit level repeating performed by hubs. Common Pitfalls: A common confusion is between hubs and switches. Both have multiple ports, but switches make forwarding decisions and are Layer 2 devices, whereas hubs blindly repeat incoming signals and are Layer 1. Another pitfall is to assume that because Ethernet is often discussed at the Data Link Layer, every Ethernet device must operate at Layer 2. In reality, Ethernet hubs are physical repeaters that implement the Physical Layer aspects of Ethernet. Final Answer: A classic Ethernet hub (multiport repeater) operates at the Physical Layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.

Question 9

Historically, which network topology does classic Ethernet use at the logical level?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Ethernet is one of the most widely used LAN technologies. Although modern Ethernet networks are often built with switches in a star shaped wiring layout, the original Ethernet design and its logical operation are based on a bus topology. Understanding the difference between physical cabling layouts and logical topologies helps clarify how access methods like CSMA/CD work and how collisions occur. Given Data / Assumptions: We are considering classic shared medium Ethernet, such as 10BASE5 and 10BASE2, and the logical behavior of early hubs and repeaters. All stations on the Ethernet share the same collision domain and can hear each other's transmissions. The question is focused on the topology used by Ethernet, not on the physical type of cable such as twisted pair or coaxial cable. Concept / Approach: In a bus topology, all nodes are attached to a single shared communication medium. Any station that transmits places signals on this common bus, and all other stations see those signals. Classic Ethernet with coaxial cable was implemented exactly this way: hosts tapped into a single coax cable that stretched along the network. Even when hubs were introduced, from the medium's point of view the network still behaved as one shared bus and used CSMA/CD to arbitrate access. Logical Ethernet segments formed one multiaccess bus, irrespective of the wiring pattern in the wiring closet. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that classic Ethernet uses CSMA/CD (carrier sense multiple access with collision detection), which assumes a shared medium that all stations can sense. Step 2: In early Ethernet implementations, multiple devices were connected to a single coaxial cable. When one host transmitted, the signal propagated along the cable to every other host. Step 3: This shared cable is the defining characteristic of a bus topology, where every node attaches to the same backbone. Step 4: Ring topologies, such as those used in token ring networks, and mesh topologies with many direct links, do not match this behavior. Step 5: Modern switched Ethernet often uses a physical star, but each switch port forms a separate point to point link, and logically the shared bus is replaced by many links, which is different from classic shared bus Ethernet. Verification / Alternative check: Diagrams in classic Ethernet standards and textbooks show stations attached to a single coaxial bus. Collisions occur because signals overlap on this bus. Hubs, when used, simply extend the collision domain so that from a logical perspective the medium remains a shared bus. These descriptions confirm that historically Ethernet's logical topology is a bus. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A pure star topology with switching is more accurate for modern full duplex switched Ethernet, but that is not how classic shared medium Ethernet operated logically. Ring topology with tokens describes token ring or FDDI networks, not Ethernet. Full mesh with direct links between every pair of hosts is rare and not associated with Ethernet LAN design. Common Pitfalls: Learners often see star shaped Ethernet cabling in offices and assume Ethernet is inherently a star topology. It is important to distinguish physical layout from logical topology. Historically, Ethernet started as a bus, and even with hubs, it behaved logically as a bus because all nodes shared one collision domain. Final Answer: Classic Ethernet uses a bus topology, in which all stations share a common transmission medium and form one collision domain.

Question 10

In the context of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the statement 'TCB is Transfer Control Block' is:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In TCP/IP networking terminology, abbreviations are used frequently to refer to internal data structures and protocol elements. One such important term is TCB. It is essential for students preparing for networking exams and interviews to know exactly what TCB stands for and what role it plays in the TCP implementation. The statement in the question claims that TCB expands to Transfer Control Block, and we must verify whether this expansion is correct or not. Given Data / Assumptions: We are working with the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) as defined in the TCP/IP suite. The term TCB refers to a per connection control structure inside a TCP implementation. The claim in the question is that TCB stands for Transfer Control Block. We must decide whether this expansion is correct or incorrect and justify the answer. Concept / Approach: In TCP literature and implementations, TCB stands for Transmission Control Block, not Transfer Control Block. The TCB is a protocol control block that stores all relevant state information for a specific TCP connection. This includes local and remote IP addresses and port numbers, send and receive sequence numbers, window sizes, timers and various flags. Operating systems maintain one TCB per active TCP connection to keep track of the reliable byte stream service that TCP provides. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consult TCP textbooks and RFCs, which describe the internal state of TCP in terms of a Transmission Control Block. Step 2: Note the exact wording: Transmission Control Block, which matches the name of the protocol (Transmission Control Protocol). Step 3: Recognize that Transfer Control Block is not a standard expansion used in TCP standards or typical implementations. Step 4: Understand that the TCB structure is central to how TCP manages connections, but its correct full form uses the word Transmission, not Transfer. Step 5: Conclude that the statement given in the question is factually incorrect. Verification / Alternative check: If you examine source code of common TCP/IP stacks from Unix like systems or read reference works such as RFC 793, you will consistently find the term Transmission Control Block. There is no reference to Transfer Control Block in authoritative documents. This cross checking confirms that the only correct expansion is Transmission Control Block. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Marking the statement as Correct would implicitly accept the incorrect expansion Transfer Control Block, which does not match the protocol name or the terminology in standards. Common Pitfalls: Because TCP is often described as providing reliable data transfer, some learners mistakenly replace Transmission with Transfer in the expansion of TCB. Another pitfall is to treat TCB as a generic phrase without learning its precise meaning. For exam purposes and accurate technical communication, you should always expand TCB as Transmission Control Block. Final Answer: The statement 'TCB is Transfer Control Block' is Incorrect, because in TCP the abbreviation TCB actually stands for Transmission Control Block.

Question 11

In computer networking, the statement 'FTP is File Transmission Protocol' is:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: FTP is one of the oldest and most widely known application layer protocols in the TCP/IP suite. It is used for transferring files between clients and servers. Many exam questions test whether candidates remember the correct expansion of common protocol abbreviations. Here, the statement claims that FTP stands for File Transmission Protocol, and we must decide whether this is accurate. Given Data / Assumptions: We are dealing with the TCP/IP application layer protocol abbreviated as FTP. FTP is used to transfer files between a client and a server over a TCP connection. The question presents an expansion: File Transmission Protocol. We must check whether this expansion matches the official and widely accepted name of the protocol. Concept / Approach: The correct expansion of FTP is File Transfer Protocol, not File Transmission Protocol. The term 'Transfer' reflects the protocol's role in moving files between systems, and this wording appears in the relevant RFCs and standard documentation. The word 'Transmission' is used elsewhere in networking, for example in Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), but it is not part of the official name of FTP. Therefore, any statement that expands FTP as File Transmission Protocol is incorrect. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the full form of FTP from standard networking references: File Transfer Protocol. Step 2: Compare this with the expansion given in the question: File Transmission Protocol. Step 3: Note that the second word is different: Transfer versus Transmission. Step 4: Since the protocol name in RFCs and textbooks clearly uses Transfer, the expansion using Transmission does not match the official name. Step 5: Conclude that the statement as written is incorrect and must be marked as such. Verification / Alternative check: If you look at RFC 959, which specifies FTP, the protocol is consistently referred to as the File Transfer Protocol. Networking textbooks and operating system documentation (for example, the ftp command manual) also expand FTP as File Transfer Protocol. There is no usage of File Transmission Protocol in authoritative material, so the only correct expansion uses the word Transfer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Choosing Correct would endorse the wrong expansion and contradict the official naming used in standards and documentation. Common Pitfalls: It is easy to confuse words like transfer and transmission because both are common in networking. Students sometimes mix protocol names, for example blending Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) terminology with FTP. To avoid such mistakes, it helps to memorize a few key expansions carefully: FTP is File Transfer Protocol, TCP is Transmission Control Protocol and SMTP is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, each with its own correct wording. Final Answer: The statement 'FTP is File Transmission Protocol' is Incorrect, because FTP correctly expands to File Transfer Protocol.

Question 12

In Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), the statement 'Management Information Base is not a part of every SNMP managed device' is:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is widely used to monitor and manage routers, switches, servers and many other networked devices. A central concept in SNMP is the Management Information Base (MIB), which defines the variables that can be read or modified on a managed device. This question presents a statement about whether the MIB is part of every SNMP managed device and asks you to judge if that statement is correct. Given Data / Assumptions: We are working with SNMP managed devices such as routers, switches and servers that run an SNMP agent. Each managed device has to expose management information in a structured form. The statement claims that the MIB is not a part of every SNMP managed device. We must compare this claim with the SNMP architecture. Concept / Approach: In SNMP, the Management Information Base is the conceptual database of managed objects on a device. It is defined by a collection of MIB modules that specify object identifiers, data types and semantics. Every SNMP managed device implements an SNMP agent that accesses local resources (interfaces, CPU statistics, routing tables and so on) and exposes them as variables arranged in a MIB tree. While the MIB may not always be stored as a literal database file, the MIB view is logically present on each managed device. Therefore, it is misleading and incorrect to say that the MIB is not part of every SNMP managed device. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that SNMP operates in a manager–agent model. The manager sends Get, Set and other requests; the agent responds with values defined in the MIB. Step 2: For the agent to respond, the device must know which variables exist and how to fetch or modify them. This knowledge is described by the MIB definitions. Step 3: Although the MIB is often described as a conceptual store, from an architectural point of view, every SNMP enabled device has some form of MIB representation and implementation. Step 4: Therefore, saying that the MIB is not part of every SNMP managed device contradicts the basic SNMP model. Step 5: Conclude that the statement is incorrect. Verification / Alternative check: SNMP literature describes the agent as maintaining a local Management Information Base that the manager can query. Even minimal SNMP implementations support standard MIBs such as MIB-II for basic system and interface information. Devices without any MIB objects exposed would not be SNMP manageable in practice. This supports the conclusion that the MIB is indeed part of every SNMP managed device. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Choosing Correct would imply that some SNMP managed devices lack any MIB, which would make SNMP communication meaningless. Such devices would not conform to the SNMP architecture. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse the conceptual MIB on a device with separate MIB text files used by management stations for decoding. The compiled or conceptual MIB on the device is different from these text descriptions. Another pitfall is to think of the MIB as optional because devices may support only a subset of possible MIB modules. However, even a subset is still a MIB, so every SNMP managed device has one. Final Answer: The statement 'Management Information Base is not a part of every SNMP managed device' is Incorrect, because every SNMP managed device conceptually maintains a MIB of managed objects that the SNMP agent exposes.

Question 13

In Internet routing, what is the main difference between interior and exterior neighbor gateways?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The global Internet is composed of many interconnected networks, each administered by an organization such as an Internet Service Provider, enterprise or university. These large administrative domains are called autonomous systems (AS). Routers that exchange routing information inside an AS behave differently from routers that exchange routing information between ASes. Understanding the distinction between interior and exterior neighbor gateways is fundamental to interdomain routing. Given Data / Assumptions: The Internet is divided into multiple autonomous systems, each with its own internal routing policies. Routers that connect networks within the same AS are interior neighbors. Routers that connect one AS to another AS and exchange routing information across that boundary are exterior neighbors. Interior and exterior gateways use different classes of routing protocols. Concept / Approach: Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs), such as RIP, OSPF and IS-IS, are used for routing within a single autonomous system. Routers that run these protocols and share routes only with routers inside the same AS are interior gateways. Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs), most notably BGP, are used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems. Routers that peer with routers in a different AS using an EGP are exterior gateways. The key distinction is therefore the administrative boundary: interior gateways operate within one routing domain, while exterior gateways connect different routing domains and must respect interdomain policies. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the scope of routing. Inside an AS, the goal is usually to find shortest or least cost paths and ensure fast convergence. Step 2: Routers that participate only in this internal routing, using IGPs, are interior neighbor gateways and share a common administration. Step 3: At the edge of the AS, border routers connect to other autonomous systems and run BGP or other exterior protocols to exchange reachability information. Step 4: These border routers, when peering with routers in a different AS, are exterior neighbor gateways and must enforce policies such as route filtering and path selection based on business relationships. Step 5: Therefore, the main difference is whether routing information is exchanged inside a single AS or across AS boundaries. Verification / Alternative check: Routing architecture descriptions for the Internet consistently state that IGPs handle intra AS routing, while BGP, as the de facto EGP, handles inter AS routing. Border routers often run both an IGP internally and BGP externally, illustrating that a single physical router can act as both an interior gateway (toward the internal network) and an exterior gateway (toward other autonomous systems). This reinforces the boundary based definition in the correct option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Whether a router is hardware or software based has nothing to do with being interior or exterior; both types can serve in either role. The choice of wireless versus wired links is also independent of routing role; interior and exterior gateways can use many media types. The distinction is not based on multicast versus unicast traffic, but on administrative and routing domain boundaries. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes mistakenly associate interior and exterior with physical location, thinking interior routers are physically inside a building and exterior routers are outside. In reality, the terms refer to routing domains and administrative control, not building geography. Another pitfall is to assume that the same protocol, such as OSPF, could be used across the entire Internet, ignoring the need for interdomain policies that BGP provides. Final Answer: Interior neighbor gateways are routers that exchange routing information within a single autonomous system using interior gateway protocols, whereas exterior neighbor gateways exchange routes between different autonomous systems using exterior gateway protocols.

Question 14

In computer networks, the statement 'RIP stands for Routing Information Protocol' is:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: RIP is one of the earliest interior gateway routing protocols used in IP networks. It is often introduced in basic networking courses as an example of a distance vector routing protocol. Examinations frequently test whether students know the correct expansion of common routing protocol acronyms. This question presents the expansion 'Routing Information Protocol' for RIP and asks you to judge whether it is correct. Given Data / Assumptions: We are considering the routing protocol abbreviated as RIP. RIP is used as an Interior Gateway Protocol within an autonomous system. The statement claims that RIP stands for Routing Information Protocol. We must decide whether this expansion is accurate and consistent with standards. Concept / Approach: The official and widely accepted expansion of RIP is Routing Information Protocol. RIP was originally specified for use with the BSD Unix routing daemon and later standardized in RFC 1058 (for RIPv1) and RFC 2453 (for RIPv2). The name reflects the protocol's function: routers exchange routing information about reachable networks and metrics at regular intervals. There is no alternative standard expansion for RIP in the context of IP routing. Therefore the statement in the question is correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall from textbooks and RFCs that RIP is a distance vector routing protocol that uses hop count as its metric. Step 2: Check the formal name in these references, where RIP is consistently written out as Routing Information Protocol. Step 3: Note that this name directly describes the protocol's purpose: exchanging routing information between routers. Step 4: Compare alternative possible expansions such as Route Information Protocol or Router Interchange Protocol and confirm that these are not used in standards. Step 5: Conclude that the statement 'RIP stands for Routing Information Protocol' is correct. Verification / Alternative check: Reading the introductory sections of RFC 1058 and RFC 2453 confirms that the protocol is called the Routing Information Protocol. Many networking textbooks and certification materials also expand RIP this way. There is no conflicting official terminology, so the expansion in the question matches authoritative sources. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Marking the statement as Incorrect would imply that the expansion is wrong, which contradicts the standardized name of the protocol. Common Pitfalls: Sometimes students remember the general idea but misquote the name as Route Information Protocol or Routing Internet Protocol. These variants sound similar but are not accurate. The safest way to remember is to link the name directly to its function: a protocol for sharing routing information. That leads naturally to the correct name, Routing Information Protocol. Final Answer: The statement 'RIP stands for Routing Information Protocol' is Correct, because RIP is officially and widely known as the Routing Information Protocol.

Question 15

In Internet routing, what is BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) primarily used for?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the core routing protocol of the global Internet. It is responsible for exchanging reachability information between large administrative domains called autonomous systems. Understanding the role of BGP is crucial for any serious study of Internet architecture, interdomain routing and network engineering. Given Data / Assumptions: The Internet is composed of many autonomous systems administered by different organizations. Routing within an AS is handled by Interior Gateway Protocols such as OSPF or IS-IS. Routing between autonomous systems requires a different protocol that supports policies and scalability. The question asks what BGP is primarily used for. Concept / Approach: BGP is classified as an Exterior Gateway Protocol and more specifically as a path vector routing protocol. BGP speakers (routers running BGP) form peering relationships across AS boundaries or within an AS for route reflection. They exchange network reachability information along with AS path attributes that describe the sequence of autonomous systems a route has traversed. This AS path information allows routers to detect loops and to implement policy based routing decisions. BGP is therefore the protocol that ties together the many autonomous systems that make up the Internet. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the problem of interdomain routing is to tell other autonomous systems which IP prefixes you can reach and how to reach them. Step 2: BGP sessions are established over TCP connections between routers belonging either to the same AS (iBGP) or different ASes (eBGP). Step 3: Through these BGP sessions, routers exchange route advertisements containing prefixes, AS paths, next hop information and various attributes. Step 4: Each router applies local policies to choose which routes to accept and prefer, and then re advertises selected routes to its neighbors, gradually building a consistent interdomain routing view. Step 5: This behavior is clearly different from link state IGPs or transport protocols, so the role described in option A is the correct one. Verification / Alternative check: Official specifications such as RFC 4271 describe BGP as a path vector protocol designed for exchanging routing and reachability information between autonomous systems. Network operator guides discuss BGP in the context of upstream and downstream providers, peering and transit relationships, all of which concern interdomain routing. No reputable source describes BGP as a transport protocol or email protocol, confirming that option A is accurate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Link state IGPs such as OSPF and IS-IS operate inside an AS and use different algorithms; BGP is not used purely inside a LAN as a link state protocol. Transport layer reliability is provided by TCP and sometimes SCTP, not by BGP, which runs on top of TCP at the application layer for routing purposes. Email transfer between mail servers is handled by protocols like SMTP, not BGP. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse protocol layers and think BGP must be a transport protocol because it runs over TCP port 179. In reality, BGP is an application layer routing protocol. Another pitfall is to assume that the same routing protocol can be used both within and between autonomous systems without considering the need for policy control and scalability, which BGP specifically addresses. Final Answer: BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the path vector routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems on the Internet.

Question 16

In Internet routing, what is an autonomous system (AS)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The concept of an autonomous system is central to the design of the Internet's routing architecture. Rather than being a flat mesh of individual routers, the Internet is structured as a collection of interconnected autonomous systems. Each AS is managed by a single organization and runs its own internal routing, while using interdomain routing protocols to communicate with other ASes. Understanding what an autonomous system is helps explain how routing policies and BGP operate at scale. Given Data / Assumptions: The Internet consists of many networks owned by different organizations such as ISPs, enterprises and universities. Each organization typically wants to control routing within its own network independently of others. The term autonomous system is used in BGP and related routing standards. We must provide a precise definition suitable for exams. Concept / Approach: An autonomous system is formally defined as a collection of IP networks and routers under the control of a single administrative entity that presents a common and clearly defined routing policy to the Internet. This means that within the AS, administrators can choose any Interior Gateway Protocol and internal topology. Externally, however, the AS is treated as a single unit, identified by an Autonomous System Number (ASN), when exchanging routes via BGP with other ASes. The AS acts as a building block in the hierarchical structure of global routing. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that multiple subnets, links and routers within one company or ISP are typically managed as one administrative domain. Step 2: This domain operates its own IGP and internal policies, independent of other organizations. Step 3: When communicating with the rest of the Internet, this entire domain is identified by an Autonomous System Number and expresses one coherent routing policy, for example which prefixes to advertise and which providers to prefer. Step 4: This collection of networks and routers, under one administration and policy, is the definition of an autonomous system. Step 5: Single routers, isolated computers or groups of privileged users do not fit this definition; they are either too small or do not represent a routing domain. Verification / Alternative check: RFC 1930 and related documents define an AS in terms very similar to option A. Practical examples include an ISP with many PoPs and routers, all using one ASN, or a large enterprise with its own AS connecting to multiple upstream providers. These cases show that an AS is more than one router and certainly more than a single host or user group. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A single router might belong to an AS but does not itself define the AS; the AS is the larger collection it sits in. A standalone computer not connected to any network has no routing role and thus cannot be considered an autonomous system in routing terms. User privilege groups have nothing to do with routing policy or administrative control over IP networks. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes think that any independent network is an AS, even if it never connects to the global Internet. While the concept can be used internally, in Internet routing standards the AS notion is tied to interdomain routing and AS numbers. Another pitfall is to ignore the policy aspect and think of AS purely as a topological grouping; in reality, shared administration and policy are key parts of the definition. Final Answer: An autonomous system is a collection of IP networks and routers under a single administrative control that presents a common routing policy to the Internet.

Question 17

In routing terminology, what does the term Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) refer to?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In the Internet routing architecture, protocols are often classified as Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) or Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs). This classification reflects whether the protocol is used within a single autonomous system or between autonomous systems. Understanding what EGP means is important for distinguishing interdomain routing from intradomain routing. Given Data / Assumptions: The Internet is divided into autonomous systems, each with its own internal routing. IGPs handle routing inside an AS; EGPs handle routing between ASes. Historically there was a specific protocol named EGP, and today BGP is the dominant EGP. The question asks for the general meaning of the term Exterior Gateway Protocol. Concept / Approach: Exterior Gateway Protocol is a generic term for any routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems. Early in the Internet's history, a specific protocol called EGP was used for this purpose, but it was eventually replaced by BGP due to scalability and policy limitations. Today, when we say that BGP is an EGP, we mean that it is an exterior gateway protocol, not that it implements the old protocol named EGP. The core idea is that EGPs handle interdomain routing and are concerned with policies and relationships between administrative domains. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Remember that IGPs such as RIP, OSPF and IS-IS operate within a single autonomous system, optimizing paths based on metrics like hop count or cost. Step 2: Recognize that between autonomous systems, other considerations such as business relationships, policies and aggregated routes come into play. Step 3: Routing protocols designed for this interdomain scenario, including the historic EGP and the modern BGP, are called Exterior Gateway Protocols. Step 4: These protocols exchange information about which IP prefixes are reachable through which AS paths and allow each AS to enforce its routing policies. Step 5: Therefore, EGP refers to a class of inter AS routing protocols, not to protocols for internal routing, email encryption or LAN data link layers. Verification / Alternative check: Routing textbooks typically present a table or figure dividing protocols into IGPs (RIP, OSPF, IS-IS) and EGPs (historical EGP, BGP). The description of EGPs emphasizes interdomain routing between autonomous systems. No standard reference describes EGPs as limited to email or as data link protocols. This matches the general definition in option A. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Protocols used exclusively inside an AS are by definition IGPs, not EGPs. Email encryption is handled by security protocols such as S/MIME or TLS, not by routing protocols. Data link protocols like Ethernet and Wi-Fi operate at the OSI Layer 2 and are unrelated to gateway routing between ASes. Common Pitfalls: A common confusion is between the generic class name Exterior Gateway Protocol and the historical specific protocol named EGP. When reading older documents, EGP may refer to that particular obsolete protocol, but in modern exams the term EGP is often used generically for interdomain routing protocols, with BGP as the main example. Keeping this distinction clear helps avoid misinterpretation. Final Answer: An Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) is a routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems, that is, for interdomain routing.

Question 18

In routing terminology, what is an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) are an essential building block in the hierarchical routing structure of the Internet and large enterprise networks. They handle routing inside a single autonomous system, where one administrative entity controls the routing policies. Knowing what an IGP is and how it differs from an Exterior Gateway Protocol is fundamental for network design and certification exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Networks are grouped into autonomous systems, each with its own internal routing. Routing inside an AS focuses on efficiency and fast convergence rather than external business policies. IGPs are distinct from EGPs, which operate between ASes. The question asks for a definition of IGP, not for names of specific protocols. Concept / Approach: An Interior Gateway Protocol is any routing protocol designed to distribute routing information within a single autonomous system or routing domain. Examples include RIP, OSPF, IS-IS and EIGRP (in Cisco networks). These protocols maintain a view of the internal network topology and compute best paths between internal routers. They do not directly control how routes are exchanged with other ASes; that is the job of Exterior Gateway Protocols like BGP. IGPs are optimized for relatively fast convergence and manageability within one administrative control. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognize that an autonomous system may contain many routers and subnets that all need to know how to reach one another. Step 2: An IGP runs on these routers and exchanges information about reachable networks and metrics such as cost or hop count. Step 3: The routers use the IGP's algorithm (distance vector, link state or hybrid) to compute best paths and fill their routing tables for internal destinations. Step 4: Since this process is entirely within one AS, the protocol is called an Interior Gateway Protocol. Step 5: Protocols that exchange routes across AS boundaries are instead classified as Exterior Gateway Protocols and are not IGPs. Verification / Alternative check: Network design guides and textbooks divide routing protocols into IGPs (RIP, OSPF, IS-IS, EIGRP) and EGPs (BGP). They describe IGPs as handling intra AS routing and stress their role in building the internal topology. None of these sources describe IGPs as application layer login protocols or as physical layer standards, confirming the definition in option A. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Routing protocols that operate between ASes, such as BGP, are classified as EGPs, not IGPs. Remote login protocols like Telnet or SSH operate at the application layer and are unrelated to gateway routing inside an AS. Physical layer standards define signaling and media properties, not routing information exchange. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to confuse IGP with IP, assuming that IGP is simply another name for the Internet Protocol. They are different: IP is a network layer protocol for packet delivery, while IGPs are routing protocols that decide which path IP packets should take within a domain. Another pitfall is to forget that an AS can run multiple IGP instances or multiple areas (as in OSPF), but they all fall under the IGP category. Final Answer: An Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) is a routing protocol used to exchange routing information within a single autonomous system or routing domain.

Question 19

In computer networks, what is a mail gateway?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Electronic mail systems are often built from multiple components, including user agents, mail transfer agents and gateways. A mail gateway plays a special role when an organization needs to interconnect different email systems, domains or formats. Understanding what a mail gateway is helps in studying email architecture, message flow and interoperability between heterogeneous systems. Given Data / Assumptions: We are dealing with email delivery across possibly different networks or administrative domains. Different organizations may use different mail systems, message formats or addressing schemes. The term mail gateway appears in discussions of interconnection and protocol translation. The question asks for a definition of mail gateway in this context. Concept / Approach: A mail gateway is a server that connects two or more different email systems or networks and forwards messages between them. In many cases it also performs translation or conversion of message formats, address formats or character encodings so that messages are understood on both sides. For example, a mail gateway might link an Internet based SMTP mail system with a proprietary corporate email system, or it might connect separate email domains across different security zones. The gateway thus acts as a bridge and often as a control point for filtering, logging or applying policies. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that normal mail transfer agents (MTAs) move messages within a single email system or between compatible SMTP domains. Step 2: When two different systems or networks must exchange messages, a specialized server is needed to understand both sides and forward mail between them. Step 3: This server may convert message headers, rewrite addresses, transform character sets or adapt envelopes so that each side sees a message it can process. Step 4: Because it connects and translates between systems, such a server is called a mail gateway. Step 5: Web access control devices, instant messaging encryption protocols and file backup servers do not meet this definition, since they do not primarily handle email message transfer and translation. Verification / Alternative check: Email architecture diagrams in networking textbooks depict gateways between SMTP networks and other messaging systems such as X.400 or proprietary enterprise systems. These gateways are described as responsible for mapping message formats and address structures between environments. Real world products such as email security gateways also illustrate this role, acting as choke points between internal mail servers and the external Internet, while still performing message transfer and conversion. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A pure web filtering device operates at HTTP or proxy level and is not designed to handle SMTP or other mail protocols, so it is not a mail gateway. Cryptographic protocols for instant messaging are unrelated to email and do not forward or translate email messages. Backup servers may store mail data, but they do not actively transfer or translate messages between environments. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse a mail relay with a mail gateway. A relay forwards mail within the same protocol family (for example, SMTP to SMTP) without major format changes, whereas a gateway often bridges different protocols or systems. Another common confusion is to treat any device that touches email, such as spam filters, as a gateway; while some products combine both roles, the gateway concept focuses on bridging between systems. Final Answer: A mail gateway is a server that forwards email messages between different email systems or networks and often performs translation of formats, addresses or policies between them.

Question 20

In network security, what is the Wide-Mouth Frog protocol?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Wide-Mouth Frog is the name of a simple authentication protocol discussed in cryptography and network security literature. It is one of several illustrative protocols, along with Needham–Schroeder and Kerberos, that show different ways of using symmetric keys and trusted servers to establish secure communication between parties. Understanding Wide-Mouth Frog helps students analyze protocol design choices, strengths and weaknesses. Given Data / Assumptions: We are in the context of symmetric key authentication and key distribution protocols. A trusted server is available to help establish keys between communicating parties. The name Wide-Mouth Frog refers to a specific protocol design, not to congestion control or routing algorithms. The question asks for the nature of this protocol. Concept / Approach: In the Wide-Mouth Frog protocol, each user shares a long term symmetric key with a trusted authentication server. When one party (say A) wants to start a secure session with another party (say B), A constructs a message containing a newly generated session key and B's identity, encrypts it with A's long term key and sends it to the server. The server decrypts this, decides whether the request is acceptable and then forwards an encrypted message to B containing the session key and A's identity, encrypted under B's long term key. B can now decrypt the server's message and learn the session key to use with A. Freshness is usually provided by timestamps. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the players: two users A and B, and a trusted server S. Each user shares a secret key with S. Step 2: A generates a fresh session key K and prepares a message containing K and B's identity, protected with the long term key between A and S. Step 3: S decrypts this message, checks the information and constructs a new message for B containing K and A's identity, encrypted with the long term key between B and S. Step 4: B receives S's message, decrypts it, and learns the session key K and the identity of A, allowing A and B to communicate securely using K. Step 5: Observe that this is clearly an authentication and key distribution protocol using a trusted server, not a congestion control, spam filtering or routing mechanism. Verification / Alternative check: Standard cryptography textbooks describe Wide-Mouth Frog as a symmetric key authentication and key distribution protocol and analyze its reliance on timestamps, trust in the server and vulnerability to compromised clocks. They do not associate the protocol with TCP congestion control, email classification or wireless routing, confirming the security authentication role given in option A. Why Other Options Are Wrong: TCP congestion control algorithms include Slow Start, Congestion Avoidance and Fast Recovery, but none are called Wide-Mouth Frog. Spam filtering techniques operate at the content and header level of email and are not usually given such names in protocol specifications. Routing algorithms for wireless ad hoc networks focus on discovering and maintaining paths in a dynamic topology; they are unrelated to symmetric key authentication protocols. Common Pitfalls: Because Wide-Mouth Frog has a playful name, students sometimes misremember its purpose or confuse it with other whimsical names in computing. Another pitfall is to assume that any named mechanism in networking must relate to routing or congestion control. In security, many protocols have distinctive names, so it is important to recall whether the context was authentication, key distribution or something else. Final Answer: Wide-Mouth Frog is a symmetric key based authentication and key distribution protocol in which a trusted server distributes fresh session keys between parties, based on messages initiated by the requesting party.

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