Ian Davies

Digital Communication II Supervisions

This course requires about 8 supervisions.

Supervision Work

To be handed in at least 24 hours in advance. Use the post-box next to Student Administration in the William Gates Building or, preferably, email your work to me in any sensible format.

Supervision 1 - Network Types

• Consider (a) the telephone network, (b) the internet and (c) ATM networks.
  Describe and explain:
  1. What each was designed to do, including any specific challenges or requirements; [about 2 marks each]
  2. The distinguishing features of each; [about 4 marks each]
  3. Why each is suited (or not) to its intended purpose; [about 1 mark each]
• 2003 Paper 9 Question 3 (IP vs ATM)
• 1996 Paper 9 Question 2 (Audio over ATM)

Supervision 2 - Network Layering and The Internet

• Describe the difference between naming and addressing in the Internet. [about 3 marks]
• 1995 Paper 9 Question 3 (OSI Layers)
• 2005 Paper 7 Question 2 (Parts (a) and (c) only, Checksums and Traceroute)

Supervision 3 - Routing

• Describe in detail, with brief examples, the operation of
  1. Distance Vector routing
  2. Link-state routing
  including pros and cons for each. [about 10 marks each]
• 2000 Paper 8 Question 3 (IP Routing)

Supervision 4 - Error Control and Flow Control

• Explain the difference between error control and flow control, including details and examples of how each might be implemented. [about 5 marks each]
• 2006 Paper 7 Question 2 (Flow Control)
• 1996 Paper 8 Question 2 (Packet Retransmission)

Supervision 5 - Multiple Access

• What is a "stable algorithm" in the context of multiple access? [1 mark]
• Define and explain FDMA, TDMA and CDMA. Give pros and cons for each. [about 3 marks each]
• What are centralized and decentralized schemes in the context of multiple access? What are the benefits of each? [about 5 marks]
• Describe the CSMA algorithm. Include an explanation of the difference between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA and where you would use each. [about 8 marks]
• 2007 Paper 9 Question 4 (CSMA)

Supervision 6 - Switching

• Briefly describe the operation of and differences between first, second and third generation switches. [about 6 marks]
• 2002 Paper 8 Question 3 (Router Design)
• 2004 Paper 8 Question 3 (Router Design)
• 2006 Paper 9 Question 3, Part (a) only (Switch Design)
• 1993 Paper 9 Question 2, Part (c) only (ATM Switch Design)

Supervision 7 - Scheduling

• In the context of scheduling, what does 'work conserving' mean? What is the conservation law?
• Describe
  1. FCFS scheduling
  2. The max-min fair share criteria
  3. Simple Priority Queuing
  4. Generalised Processor Sharing
  5. The difference between absolute and relative fairness.
  6. Weighted Round Robin scheduling
  7. Deficit Round Robin scheduling
  8. Weighted Fair Queuing
  9. Class-Based Queuing
  [about 2 marks each]
• What is Random Early Detection?
• 2003 Paper 7 Question 2 (Scheduling)

More supervisions coming soon...