Chapter 5

Data Link Layer

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5: DataLink Layer 5a-1
Chapter 5: The Data Link Layer
Our goals:
❒ understand principles behind data link layer
services:
❍ error detection, correction
❍ sharing a broadcast channel: multiple access
❍ link layer addressing
❍ reliable data transfer, flow control: done!
❒ instantiation and implementation of various link
layer technologies

5: DataLink Layer 5a-2

Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-3

Link Layer: Introduction “link”
Some terminology:
❒ hosts and routers are nodes
(bridges and switches too)
❒ communication channels that
connect adjacent nodes along
communication path are links
❍ wired links
❍ wireless links
❍ LANs
❒ 2-PDU is a frame,
encapsulates datagram

data-link layer has responsibility of

transferring datagram from one node
to adjacent node over a link
5: DataLink Layer 5a-4
Link layer: context
❒ Datagram transferred by
transportation analogy
❒ trip from Princeton to
different link protocols
Lausanne
over different links:
❍ limo: Princeton to JFK
❍ e.g., Ethernet on first link,
❍ plane: JFK to Geneva
frame relay on
intermediate links, 802.11 ❍ train: Geneva to Lausanne
on last link ❒ tourist = datagram
❒ Each link protocol ❒ transport segment =
provides different communication link
services ❒ transportation mode =
❍ e.g., may or may not link layer protocol
provide rdt over link
❒ travel agent = routing
algorithm
5: DataLink Layer 5a-5
Link Layer Services
❒ Framing, link access:
❍ encapsulate datagram into frame, adding header, trailer
❍ channel access if shared medium
❍ ‘physical addresses’ used in frame headers to identify
source, dest
• different from IP address!
❒ Reliable delivery between adjacent nodes
❍ we learned how to do this already (chapter 3)!
❍ seldom used on low bit error link (fiber, some twisted
pair)
❍ wireless links: high error rates
• Q: why both link-level and end-end reliability?

5: DataLink Layer 5a-6

Link Layer Services (more)
❒ Flow Control:
❍ pacing between adjacent sending and receiving nodes
❒ Error Detection:
❍ errors caused by signal attenuation, noise.
❍ receiver detects presence of errors:
• signals sender for retransmission or drops frame
❒ Error Correction:
❍ receiver identifies and corrects bit error(s) without
resorting to retransmission
❒ Half-duplex and full-duplex
❍ with half duplex, nodes at both ends of link can transmit,
but not at same time
5: DataLink Layer 5a-7
 Adaptors Communicating
datagram
link layer protocol rcving
sending node
node
frame frame
adapter adapter

❒ link layer implemented in ❒ receiving side

“adaptor” (aka NIC) ❍ looks for errors, rdt, flow
❍ Ethernet card, PCMCI control, etc
card, 802.11 card ❍ extracts datagram, passes
to rcving node
❒ sending side:
❍ encapsulates datagram in ❒ adapter is semi-
a frame autonomous
❍ adds error checking bits, ❒ link & physical layers
rdt, flow control, etc.
5: DataLink Layer 5a-8
Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-9

Error Detection
EDC= Error Detection and Correction bits (redundancy)
D = Data protected by error checking, may include header fields

• Error detection not 100% reliable!

• protocol may miss some errors, but rarely
• larger EDC field yields better detection and correction

5: DataLink Layer 5a-10

Parity Checking
Single Bit Parity: Two Dimensional Bit Parity:
Detect single bit errors Detect and correct single bit errors

0 0

5: DataLink Layer 5a-11

Internet checksum
Goal: detect “errors” (e.g., flipped bits) in transmitted
segment (note: used at transport layer only)

Sender: Receiver:
❒ compute checksum of received
❒ treat segment contents
segment
as sequence of 16-bit
❒ check if computed checksum
integers equals checksum field value:
❒ checksum: addition (1’s ❍ NO - error detected
complement sum) of ❍ YES - no error detected. But
segment contents maybe errors nonetheless?
❒ sender puts checksum More later ….
value into UDP checksum
field

5: DataLink Layer 5a-12

Checksumming: Cyclic Redundancy Check
❒ view data bits, D, as a binary number
❒ choose r+1 bit pattern (generator), G
❒ goal: choose r CRC bits, R, such that
❍ <D,R> exactly divisible by G (modulo 2)
❍ receiver knows G, divides <D,R> by G. If non-zero remainder:
error detected!
❍ can detect all burst errors less than r+1 bits
❒ widely used in practice (ATM, HDLC)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-13

CRC Example
Want:
D.2r XOR R = nG
equivalently:
D.2r = nG XOR R
equivalently:
if we divide D.2r by
G, want remainder R

D.2r
R = remainder[ ]
G

5: DataLink Layer 5a-14

Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-15

Multiple Access Links and Protocols
Two types of “links”:
❒ point-to-point
❍ PPP for dial-up access
❍ point-to-point link between Ethernet switch and host

❒ broadcast (shared wire or medium)

❍ traditional Ethernet
❍ upstream HFC
❍ 802.11 wireless LAN

5: DataLink Layer 5a-16

Multiple Access protocols
❒ single shared broadcast channel
❒ two or more simultaneous transmissions by nodes:
interference
❍ only one node can send successfully at a time
multiple access protocol
❒ distributed algorithm that determines how nodes
share channel, i.e., determine when node can transmit
❒ communication about channel sharing must use channel
itself!
❒ what to look for in multiple access protocols:

5: DataLink Layer 5a-17

Ideal Mulitple Access Protocol
Broadcast channel of rate R bps
1. When one node wants to transmit, it can send at
rate R.
2. When M nodes want to transmit, each can send at
average rate R/M
3. Fully decentralized:
❍ no special node to coordinate transmissions
❍ no synchronization of clocks, slots
4. Simple

5: DataLink Layer 5a-18

MAC Protocols: a taxonomy
Three broad classes:
❒ Channel Partitioning
❍ divide channel into smaller “pieces” (time slots,
frequency, code)
❍ allocate piece to node for exclusive use
❒ Random Access
❍ channel not divided, allow collisions
❍ “recover” from collisions

❒ “Taking turns”
❍ tightly coordinate shared access to avoid collisions

5: DataLink Layer 5a-19

Channel Partitioning MAC protocols: TDMA

TDMA: time division multiple access

❒ access to channel in "rounds"
❒ each station gets fixed length slot (length = pkt
trans time) in each round
❒ unused slots go idle
❒ example: 6-station LAN, 1,3,4 have pkt, slots 2,5,6
idle

5: DataLink Layer 5a-20

Channel Partitioning MAC protocols: FDMA
FDMA: frequency division multiple access
❒ channel spectrum divided into frequency bands
❒ each station assigned fixed frequency band
❒ unused transmission time in frequency bands go idle
❒ example: 6-station LAN, 1,3,4 have pkt, frequency
bands 2,5,6 idle
time
frequency bands

5: DataLink Layer 5a-21

Channel Partitioning (CDMA)
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
❒ unique “code” assigned to each user; i.e., code set partitioning
❒ used mostly in wireless broadcast channels (cellular, satellite,
etc)
❒ all users share same frequency, but each user has own
“chipping” sequence (i.e., code) to encode data
❒ encoded signal = (original data) X (chipping sequence)
❒ decoding: inner-product of encoded signal and chipping
sequence
❒ allows multiple users to “coexist” and transmit simultaneously
with minimal interference (if codes are “orthogonal”)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-22

CDMA Encode/Decode

5: DataLink Layer 5a-23

CDMA: two-sender interference

5: DataLink Layer 5a-24

Random Access Protocols
❒ When node has packet to send
❍ transmit at full channel data rate R.
❍ no a priori coordination among nodes

❒ two or more transmitting nodes -> “collision”,

❒ random access MAC protocol specifies:
❍ how to detect collisions
❍ how to recover from collisions (e.g., via delayed
retransmissions)
❒ Examples of random access MAC protocols:
❍ slotted ALOHA
❍ ALOHA
❍ CSMA, CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA

5: DataLink Layer 5a-25

 Slotted ALOHA
Assumptions Operation
❒ all frames same size ❒ when node obtains fresh
❒ time is divided into frame, it transmits in next
equal size slots, time to slot
transmit 1 frame ❒ no collision, node can send
❒ nodes start to transmit new frame in next slot
frames only at ❒ if collision, node
beginning of slots retransmits frame in each
❒ nodes are synchronized subsequent slot with prob.
❒ if 2 or more nodes
p until success
transmit in slot, all
nodes detect collision
5: DataLink Layer 5a-26
Slotted ALOHA

Pros Cons
❒ single active node can ❒ collisions, wasting slots
continuously transmit ❒ idle slots
at full rate of channel ❒ nodes may be able to
❒ highly decentralized: detect collision in less
only slots in nodes than time to transmit
need to be in sync packet
❒ simple
5: DataLink Layer 5a-27
Slotted Aloha efficiency
Efficiency is the long-run ❒ For max efficiency
fraction of successful slots with N nodes, find p*
when there’s many nodes, each that maximizes
with many frames to send Np(1-p)N-1
❒ For many nodes, take
❒ Suppose N nodes with limit of Np*(1-p*)N-1
many frames to send, as N goes to infinity,
each transmits in slot gives 1/e = .37
with probability p
❒ prob that 1st node has At best: channel
success in a slot used for useful
= p(1-p)N-1 transmissions 37%
❒ prob that any node has of time!
a success = Np(1-p)N-1
5: DataLink Layer 5a-28
Pure (unslotted) ALOHA
❒ unslotted Aloha: simpler, no synchronization
❒ when frame first arrives
❍ transmit immediately

❒ collision probability increases:

❍ frame sent at t0 collides with other frames sent in [t0-1,t0+1]

5: DataLink Layer 5a-29

Pure Aloha efficiency
P(success by given node) = P(node transmits) .

P(no other node transmits in [p0-1,p0] .

P(no other node transmits in [p0-1,p0]
= p . (1-p)N-1 . (1-p)N-1
= p . (1-p)2(N-1)

… choosing optimum p and then letting n -> infty ...

= 1/(2e) = .18
Even worse !

5: DataLink Layer 5a-30

CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access)

CSMA: listen before transmit:

❒ If channel sensed idle: transmit entire frame
❒ If channel sensed busy, defer transmission

❒ Human analogy: don’t interrupt others!

5: DataLink Layer 5a-31

 CSMA collisions spatial layout of nodes

collisions can still occur:

propagation delay means
two nodes may not hear
each other’s transmission

collision:
entire packet transmission
time wasted
note:
role of distance & propagation
delay in determining collision
probability

5: DataLink Layer 5a-32

CSMA/CD (Collision Detection)
CSMA/CD: carrier sensing, deferral as in CSMA
❍ collisions detected within short time
❍ colliding transmissions aborted, reducing channel
wastage
❒ collision detection:
❍ easy in wired LANs: measure signal strengths,
compare transmitted, received signals
❍ difficult in wireless LANs: receiver shut off while
transmitting
❒ human analogy: the polite conversationalist

5: DataLink Layer 5a-33

CSMA/CD collision detection

5: DataLink Layer 5a-34

“Taking Turns” MAC protocols
channel partitioning MAC protocols:
❍ share channel efficiently and fairly at high load
❍ inefficient at low load: delay in channel access,
1/N bandwidth allocated even if only 1 active
node!
Random access MAC protocols
❍ efficient at low load: single node can fully
utilize channel
❍ high load: collision overhead
“taking turns” protocols
look for best of both worlds!
5: DataLink Layer 5a-35
“Taking Turns” MAC protocols
Polling: Token passing:
❒ master node ❒ control token passed from
“invites” slave nodes one node to next
to transmit in turn sequentially.
❒ concerns: ❒ token message
❍ polling overhead ❒ concerns:
❍ latency ❍ token overhead
❍ single point of ❍ latency
failure (master) ❍ single point of failure (token)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-36

 Summary of MAC protocols
❒ What do you do with a shared media?
❍ Channel Partitioning, by time, frequency or code
• Time Division,Code Division, Frequency Division
❍ Random partitioning (dynamic),
• ALOHA, S-ALOHA, CSMA, CSMA/CD
• carrier sensing: easy in some technologies (wire), hard
in others (wireless)
• CSMA/CD used in Ethernet
❍ Taking Turns
• polling from a central site, token passing

5: DataLink Layer 5a-37

LAN technologies
Data link layer so far:
❍ services, error detection/correction, multiple
access
Next: LAN technologies
❍ addressing
❍ Ethernet
❍ hubs, bridges, switches
❍ 802.11
❍ PPP
❍ ATM

5: DataLink Layer 5a-38

LAN Addresses and ARP
32-bit IP address:
❒ network-layer address
❒ used to get datagram to destination IP network
(recall IP network definition)
LAN (or MAC or physical or Ethernet) address:
❒ used to get datagram from one interface to another
physically-connected interface (same network)
❒ 48 bit MAC address (for most LANs)
burned in the adapter ROM

5: DataLink Layer 5a-39

LAN Addresses and ARP
Each adapter on LAN has unique LAN address

5: DataLink Layer 5a-40

LAN Address (more)
❒ MAC address allocation administered by IEEE
❒ manufacturer buys portion of MAC address space
(to assure uniqueness)
❒ Analogy:
(a) MAC address: like Social Security Number
(b) IP address: like postal address
❒ MAC flat address => portability
❍ can move LAN card from one LAN to another
❒ IP hierarchical address NOT portable
❍ depends on IP network to which node is attached

5: DataLink Layer 5a-41

 Recall earlier routing discussion
Starting at A, given IP A 223.1.1.1
datagram addressed to B:
223.1.2.1
❒ look up net. address of B, find B 223.1.1.2
on same net. as A 223.1.1.4 223.1.2.9
B
❒ link layer send datagram to B 223.1.2.2
E
inside link-layer frame 223.1.1.3 223.1.3.27

223.1.3.1 223.1.3.2
frame source, datagram source,
dest address dest address

B’s MAC A’s MAC A’s IP B’s IP

IP payload
addr addr addr addr

datagram
frame
5: DataLink Layer 5a-42
ARP: Address Resolution Protocol

Question: how to determine ❒ Each IP node (Host,

MAC address of B Router) on LAN has
knowing B’s IP address? ARP table
❒ ARP Table: IP/MAC
address mappings for
some LAN nodes
< IP address; MAC address; TTL>
❍ TTL (Time To Live): time
after which address
mapping will be forgotten
(typically 20 min)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-43

ARP protocol
❒ A wants to send datagram ❒ A caches (saves) IP-to-
to B, and A knows B’s IP MAC address pair in its
address. ARP table until information
❒ Suppose B’s MAC address becomes old (times out)
is not in A’s ARP table. ❍ soft state: information
❒ A broadcasts ARP query that times out (goes
packet, containing B's IP away) unless refreshed
address ❒ ARP is “plug-and-play”:
❍ all machines on LAN ❍ nodes create their ARP
receive ARP query tables without
❒ B receives ARP packet, intervention from net
replies to A with its (B's) administrator
MAC address
❍ frame sent to A’s MAC
address (unicast)
5: DataLink Layer 5a-44
Routing to another LAN
walkthrough: send datagram from A to B via R
assume A knows B IP address

R
B
❒ Two ARP tables in router R, one for each IP
network (LAN)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-45

❒ A creates datagram with source A, destination B
❒ A uses ARP to get R’s MAC address for 111.111.111.110
❒ A creates link-layer frame with R's MAC address as dest,
frame contains A-to-B IP datagram
❒ A’s data link layer sends frame
❒ R’s data link layer receives frame
❒ R removes IP datagram from Ethernet frame, sees its
destined to B
❒ R uses ARP to get B’s physical layer address
❒ R creates frame containing A-to-B IP datagram sends to B

R
B

5: DataLink Layer 5a-46

Ethernet
“dominant” LAN technology:
❒ cheap $20 for 100Mbs!
❒ first widely used LAN technology
❒ Simpler, cheaper than token LANs and ATM
❒ Kept up with speed race: 10, 100, 1000 Mbps

Metcalfe’s Ethernet
sketch

5: DataLink Layer 5a-47

Ethernet Frame Structure
Sending adapter encapsulates IP datagram (or other
network layer protocol packet) in Ethernet frame

Preamble:
❒ 7 bytes with pattern 10101010 followed by one
byte with pattern 10101011
❒ used to synchronize receiver, sender clock rates

5: DataLink Layer 5a-48

Ethernet Frame Structure
(more)
❒ Addresses: 6 bytes
❍ if adapter receives frame with matching destination
address, or with broadcast address (eg ARP packet), it
passes data in frame to net-layer protocol
❍ otherwise, adapter discards frame

❒ Type: indicates the higher layer protocol, mostly

IP but others may be supported such as Novell
IPX and AppleTalk)
❒ CRC: checked at receiver, if error is detected, the
frame is simply dropped

5: DataLink Layer 5a-49

Unreliable, connectionless service
❒ Connectionless: No handshaking between sending
and receiving adapter.
❒ Unreliable: receiving adapter doesn’t send acks or
nacks to sending adapter
❍ stream of datagrams passed to network layer can have
gaps
❍ gaps will be filled if app is using TCP
❍ otherwise, app will see the gaps

5: DataLink Layer 5a-50

Ethernet uses CSMA/CD
❒ No slots ❒ Before attempting a
❒ adapter doesn’t transmit retransmission,
if it senses that some adapter waits a
other adapter is random time, that is,
transmitting, that is, random access
carrier sense
❒ transmitting adapter
aborts when it senses
that another adapter is
transmitting, that is,
collision detection

5: DataLink Layer 5a-51

 Ethernet CSMA/CD algorithm
1. Adaptor gets datagram 4. If adapter detects
from and creates frame another transmission while
2. If adapter senses channel transmitting, aborts and
idle, it starts to transmit sends jam signal
frame. If it senses 5. After aborting, adapter
channel busy, waits until enters exponential
channel idle and then backoff: after the mth
transmits collision, adapter chooses
3. If adapter transmits a K at random from
entire frame without {0,1,2,…,2m-1}. Adapter
detecting another waits K*512 bit times and
transmission, the adapter returns to Step 2
is done with frame !
5: DataLink Layer 5a-52
Ethernet’s CSMA/CD (more)
Jam Signal: make sure all Exponential Backoff:
other transmitters are ❒ Goal: adapt retransmission
aware of collision; 48 bits; attempts to estimated
Bit time: .1 microsec for 10 current load
Mbps Ethernet ; ❍ heavy load: random wait
for K=1023, wait time is will be longer
about 50 msec ❒ first collision: choose K
from {0,1}; delay is K x 512
bit transmission times
❒ after second collision:
See/interact with Java choose K from {0,1,2,3}…
applet on AWL Web site:
❒ after ten collisions, choose
highly recommended !
K from {0,1,2,3,4,…,1023}

5: DataLink Layer 5a-53

CSMA/CD efficiency
❒ Tprop = max prop between 2 nodes in LAN
❒ ttrans = time to transmit max-size frame

1
efficiency =
1 + 5t prop / ttrans
❒ Efficiency goes to 1 as tprop goes to 0
❒ Goes to 1 as ttrans goes to infinity
❒ Much better than ALOHA, but still decentralized,
simple, and cheap

5: DataLink Layer 5a-54

Ethernet Technologies: 10Base2
❒ 10: 10Mbps; 2: under 200 meters max cable length
❒ thin coaxial cable in a bus topology

❒ repeaters used to connect up to multiple segments

❒ repeater repeats bits it hears on one interface to
its other interfaces: physical layer device only!
❒ has become a legacy technology
5: DataLink Layer 5a-55
10BaseT and 100BaseT
❒ 10/100 Mbps rate; latter called “fast ethernet”
❒ T stands for Twisted Pair
❒ Nodes connect to a hub: “star topology”; 100 m
max distance between nodes and hub

nodes

hub

❒ Hubs are essentially physical-layer repeaters:

❍ bits coming in one link go out all other links
❍ no frame buffering
❍ no CSMA/CD at hub: adapters detect collisions
❍ provides net management functionality

5: DataLink Layer 5a-56

Manchester encoding

❒ Used in 10BaseT, 10Base2

❒ Each bit has a transition
❒ Allows clocks in sending and receiving nodes to
synchronize to each other
❍ no need for a centralized, global clock among nodes!
❒ Hey, this is physical-layer stuff!
5: DataLink Layer 5a-57
Gbit Ethernet
❒ use standard Ethernet frame format
❒ allows for point-to-point links and shared
broadcast channels
❒ in shared mode, CSMA/CD is used; short distances
between nodes to be efficient
❒ uses hubs, called here “Buffered Distributors”
❒ Full-Duplex at 1 Gbps for point-to-point links
❒ 10 Gbps now !

5: DataLink Layer 5a-58

Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-59

Interconnecting LAN segments
❒ Hubs
❒ Bridges
❒ Switches
❍ Remark: switches are essentially multi-port
bridges.
❍ What we say about bridges also holds for
switches!

5: DataLink Layer 5a-60

 Interconnecting with hubs
❒ Backbone hub interconnects LAN segments
❒ Extends max distance between nodes
❒ But individual segment collision domains become one
large collision domain
❍ if a node in CS and a node EE transmit at same time: collision
❒ Can’t interconnect 10BaseT & 100BaseT

5: DataLink Layer 5a-61

Bridges
❒ Link layer device
❍ stores and forwards Ethernet frames
❍ examines frame header and selectively
forwards frame based on MAC dest address
❍ when frame is to be forwarded on segment,
uses CSMA/CD to access segment
❒ transparent
❍ hosts are unaware of presence of bridges
❒ plug-and-play, self-learning
❍ bridges do not need to be configured

5: DataLink Layer 5a-62

Bridges: traffic isolation
❒ Bridge installation breaks LAN into LAN segments
❒ bridges filter packets:
❍ same-LAN-segment frames not usually
forwarded onto other LAN segments
❍ segments become separate collision domains

collision collision = hub

bridge
domain domain = host

LAN segment LAN segment

LAN (IP network)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-63

Forwarding

How do determine to which LAN segment to

forward frame?
• Looks like a routing problem...

5: DataLink Layer 5a-64

Self learning
❒ A bridge has a bridge table
❒ entry in bridge table:
❍ (Node LAN Address, Bridge Interface, Time Stamp)
❍ stale entries in table dropped (TTL can be 60 min)
❒ bridges learn which hosts can be reached through
which interfaces
❍ when frame received, bridge “learns” location of
sender: incoming LAN segment
❍ records sender/location pair in bridge table

5: DataLink Layer 5a-65

Filtering/Forwarding
When bridge receives a frame:

index bridge table using MAC dest address

if entry found for destination
then{
if dest on segment from which frame arrived
then drop the frame
else forward the frame on interface indicated
}
else flood
forward on all but the interface
on which the frame arrived

5: DataLink Layer 5a-66

Bridge example
Suppose C sends frame to D and D replies back with
frame to C.

❒ Bridge receives frame from from C

❍ notes in bridge table that C is on interface 1
❍ because D is not in table, bridge sends frame into
interfaces 2 and 3
❒ frame received by D
5: DataLink Layer 5a-67
Bridge Learning: example

❒ D generates frame for C, sends

❒ bridge receives frame
❍ notes in bridge table that D is on interface 2
❍ bridge knows C is on interface 1, so selectively forwards
frame to interface 1

5: DataLink Layer 5a-68

Interconnection without backbone

❒ Not recommended for two reasons:

- single point of failure at Computer Science hub
- all traffic between EE and SE must path over
CS segment

5: DataLink Layer 5a-69

Backbone configuration

Recommended !

5: DataLink Layer 5a-70

Bridges Spanning Tree
❒ for increased reliability, desirable to have
redundant, alternative paths from source to dest
❒ with multiple paths, cycles result - bridges may
multiply and forward frame forever
❒ solution: organize bridges in a spanning tree by
disabling subset of interfaces
Disabled

5: DataLink Layer 5a-71

Some bridge features
❒ Isolates collision domains resulting in higher total
max throughput
❒ limitless number of nodes and geographical
coverage
❒ Can connect different Ethernet types
❒ Transparent (“plug-and-play”): no configuration
necessary

5: DataLink Layer 5a-72

Bridges vs. Routers
❒ both store-and-forward devices
❍ routers: network layer devices (examine network layer
headers)
❍ bridges are link layer devices

❒ routers maintain routing tables, implement routing

algorithms
❒ bridges maintain bridge tables, implement filtering,
learning and spanning tree algorithms

5: DataLink Layer 5a-73

Routers vs. Bridges
Bridges + and -
+ Bridge operation is simpler requiring less packet
processing
+ Bridge tables are self learning
- All traffic confined to spanning tree, even when
alternative bandwidth is available
- Bridges do not offer protection from broadcast
storms

5: DataLink Layer 5a-74

Routers vs. Bridges
Routers + and -
+ arbitrary topologies can be supported, cycling is
limited by TTL counters (and good routing protocols)
+ provide protection against broadcast storms
- require IP address configuration (not plug and play)
- require higher packet processing

❒ bridges do well in small (few hundred hosts) while

routers used in large networks (thousands of hosts)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-75

Ethernet Switches
❒ Essentially a multi-
interface bridge
❒ layer 2 (frame) forwarding,
filtering using LAN
addresses
❒ Switching: A-to-A’ and B-
to-B’ simultaneously, no
collisions
❒ large number of interfaces
❒ often: individual hosts,
star-connected into switch
❍ Ethernet, but no
collisions!
5: DataLink Layer 5a-76
Ethernet Switches
❒ cut-through switching: frame forwarded
from input to output port without awaiting
for assembly of entire frame
❍ slight reduction in latency
❒ combinations of shared/dedicated,
10/100/1000 Mbps interfaces

5: DataLink Layer 5a-77

Not an atypical LAN (IP network)
Dedicated

Shared

5: DataLink Layer 5a-78

Summary comparison

hubs bridges routers switches

traffic no yes yes yes

isolation
plug & play yes yes no yes

optimal no no yes no
routing
cut yes no no yes
through
5: DataLink Layer 5a-79
Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-80

IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN
❒ 802.11b ❒ 802.11a
❍ 2.4-5 GHz unlicensed ❍ 5-6 GHz range
radio spectrum ❍ up to 54 Mbps
❍ up to 11 Mbps
❒ 802.11g
❍ direct sequence spread
❍ 2.4-5 GHz range
spectrum (DSSS) in
❍ up to 54 Mbps
physical layer
• all hosts use same ❒ All use CSMA/CA for
chipping code multiple access
❍ widely deployed, using ❒ All have base-station
base stations
and ad-hoc network
versions

5: DataLink Layer 5a-81

Base station approach
❒ Wireless host communicates with a base station
❍ base station = access point (AP)

❒ Basic Service Set (BSS) (a.k.a. “cell”) contains:

❍ wireless hosts
❍ access point (AP): base station
❒ BSSs combined to form distribution system (DS)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-82

 Ad Hoc Network approach
❒ No AP (i.e., base station)
❒ wireless hosts communicate with each other
❍ to get packet from wireless host A to B may
need to route through wireless hosts X,Y,Z
❒ Applications:
❍ “laptop” meeting in conference room, car
❍ interconnection of “personal” devices
❍ battlefield
❒ IETF MANET
(Mobile Ad hoc Networks)
working group

5: DataLink Layer 5a-83

IEEE 802.11: multiple access
❒ Collision if 2 or more nodes transmit at same time
❒ CSMA makes sense:
❍ get all the bandwidth if you’re the only one transmitting
❍ shouldn’t cause a collision if you sense another transmission

❒ Collision detection doesn’t work: hidden terminal

problem

5: DataLink Layer 5a-84

IEEE 802.11 MAC Protocol: CSMA/CA
802.11 CSMA: sender
- if sense channel idle for
DISF sec.
then transmit entire frame
(no collision detection)
-if sense channel busy
then binary backoff
802.11 CSMA receiver
- if received OK
return ACK after SIFS
(ACK is needed due to
hidden terminal problem)
5: DataLink Layer 5a-85
Collision avoidance mechanisms
❒ Problem:
❍ two nodes, hidden from each other, transmit complete
frames to base station
❍ wasted bandwidth for long duration !

❒ Solution:
❍ small reservation packets
❍ nodes track reservation interval with internal
“network allocation vector” (NAV)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-86

Collision Avoidance: RTS-CTS
exchange
❒ sender transmits short
RTS (request to send)
packet: indicates
duration of transmission
❒ receiver replies with
short CTS (clear to send)
packet
❍ notifying (possibly hidden)
nodes
❒ hidden nodes will not
transmit for specified
duration: NAV

5: DataLink Layer 5a-87

Collision Avoidance: RTS-CTS
exchange
❒ RTS and CTS short:
❍ collisions less likely, of
shorter duration
❍ end result similar to
collision detection
❒ IEEE 802.11 allows:
❍ CSMA
❍ CSMA/CA: reservations
❍ polling from AP

5: DataLink Layer 5a-88

 A word about Bluetooth
❒ Low-power, small radius, ❒ Interference from
wireless networking wireless LANs, digital
technology cordless phones,
❍ 10-100 meters microwave ovens:
❒ omnidirectional ❍ frequency hopping helps
❍ not line-of-sight infrared ❒ MAC protocol supports:
❒ Interconnects gadgets ❍ error correction
❍ ARQ
❒ 2.4-2.5 GHz unlicensed
radio band ❒ Each node has a 12-bit

❒ up to 721 kbps
address

5: DataLink Layer 5a-89

Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-90

Point to Point Data Link Control
❒ one sender, one receiver, one link: easier than
broadcast link:
❍ no Media Access Control
❍ no need for explicit MAC addressing
❍ e.g., dialup link, ISDN line
❒ popular point-to-point DLC protocols:
❍ PPP (point-to-point protocol)
❍ HDLC: High level data link control (Data link
used to be considered “high layer” in protocol
stack!

5: DataLink Layer 5a-91

PPP Design Requirements [RFC 1557]

❒ packet framing: encapsulation of network-layer

datagram in data link frame
❍ carry network layer data of any network layer
protocol (not just IP) at same time
❍ ability to demultiplex upwards
❒ bit transparency: must carry any bit pattern in the
data field
❒ error detection (no correction)
❒ connection liveness: detect, signal link failure to
network layer
❒ network layer address negotiation: endpoint can
learn/configure each other’s network address
5: DataLink Layer 5a-92
PPP non-requirements

❒ no error correction/recovery
❒ no flow control
❒ out of order delivery OK
❒ no need to support multipoint links (e.g., polling)

Error recovery, flow control, data re-ordering

all relegated to higher layers!

5: DataLink Layer 5a-93

PPP Data Frame
❒ Flag: delimiter (framing)
❒ Address: does nothing (only one option)
❒ Control: does nothing; in the future possible
multiple control fields
❒ Protocol: upper layer protocol to which frame
delivered (eg, PPP-LCP, IP, IPCP, etc)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-94

PPP Data Frame
❒ info: upper layer data being carried
❒ check: cyclic redundancy check for error
detection

5: DataLink Layer 5a-95

Byte Stuffing
❒ “data transparency” requirement: data field must
be allowed to include flag pattern <01111110>
❍ Q: is received <01111110> data or flag?

❒ Sender: adds (“stuffs”) extra < 01111110> byte

after each < 01111110> data byte
❒ Receiver:
❍ two 01111110 bytes in a row: discard first byte,
continue data reception
❍ single 01111110: flag byte

5: DataLink Layer 5a-96

 Byte Stuffing

flag byte
pattern
in data
to send

flag byte pattern plus

stuffed byte in
transmitted data

5: DataLink Layer 5a-97

PPP Data Control Protocol
Before exchanging network-
layer data, data link peers
must
❒ configure PPP link (max.
frame length,
authentication)
❒ learn/configure network
layer information
❍ for IP: carry IP Control
Protocol (IPCP) msgs
(protocol field: 8021) to
configure/learn IP
address
5: DataLink Layer 5a-98
Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-99

Asynchronous Transfer Mode: ATM
❒ 1990’s/00 standard for high-speed (155Mbps to
622 Mbps and higher) Broadband Integrated
Service Digital Network architecture
❒ Goal: integrated, end-end transport of carry voice,
video, data
❍ meeting timing/QoS requirements of voice, video
(versus Internet best-effort model)
❍ “next generation” telephony: technical roots in
telephone world
❍ packet-switching (fixed length packets, called
“cells”) using virtual circuits

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

100
ATM architecture

❒ adaptation layer: only at edge of ATM network

❍ data segmentation/reassembly
❍ roughly analogous to Internet transport layer
❒ ATM layer: “network” layer
❍ cell switching, routing
❒ physical layer
5: DataLink Layer 5a-
101
 ATM: network or link layer?
Vision: end-to-end
transport: “ATM from
desktop to desktop”
❍ ATM is a network
technology
Reality: used to connect
IP backbone routers
❍ “IP over ATM”
❍ ATM as switched
link layer,
connecting IP
routers

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

102
ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)
❒ ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL): “adapts” upper
layers (IP or native ATM applications) to ATM
layer below
❒ AAL present only in end systems, not in switches
❒ AAL layer segment (header/trailer fields, data)
fragmented across multiple ATM cells
❍ analogy: TCP segment in many IP packets

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

103
ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) [more]

Different versions of AAL layers, depending on ATM

service class:
❒ AAL1: for CBR (Constant Bit Rate) services, e.g. circuit emulation
❒ AAL2: for VBR (Variable Bit Rate) services, e.g., MPEG video
❒ AAL5: for data (e.g., IP datagrams)

User data

AAL PDU

ATM cell

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

104
AAL5 - Simple And Efficient
AL (SEAL)
❒ AAL5: low overhead AAL used to carry IP
datagrams
❍ 4 byte cyclic redundancy check
❍ PAD ensures payload multiple of 48bytes
❍ large AAL5 data unit to be fragmented into 48-
byte ATM cells

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

105
ATM Layer
Service: transport cells across ATM network
❒ analogous to IP network layer
❒ very different services than IP network layer
Guarantees ?
Network Service Congestion
Architecture Model Bandwidth Loss Order Timing feedback

Internet best effort none no no no no (inferred

via loss)
ATM CBR constant yes yes yes no
rate congestion
ATM VBR guaranteed yes yes yes no
rate congestion
ATM ABR guaranteed no yes no yes
minimum
ATM UBR none no yes no no
5: DataLink Layer 5a-
106
 ATM Layer: Virtual Circuits
❒ VC transport: cells carried on VC from source to dest
❍ call setup, teardown for each call before data can flow
❍ each packet carries VC identifier (not destination ID)
❍ every switch on source-dest path maintain “state” for each
passing connection
❍ link,switch resources (bandwidth, buffers) may be allocated to
VC: to get circuit-like perf.
❒ Permanent VCs (PVCs)
❍ long lasting connections
❍ typically: “permanent” route between to IP routers
❒ Switched VCs (SVC):
❍ dynamically set up on per-call basis

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

107
ATM VCs
❒ Advantages of ATM VC approach:
❍ QoS performance guarantee for connection
mapped to VC (bandwidth, delay, delay jitter)
❒ Drawbacks of ATM VC approach:
❍ Inefficient support of datagram traffic
❍ one PVC between each source/dest pair) does
not scale (N*2 connections needed)
❍ SVC introduces call setup latency, processing
overhead for short lived connections

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

108
 ATM Layer: ATM cell
❒ 5-byte ATM cell header
❒ 48-byte payload
❍ Why?: small payload -> short cell-creation delay
for digitized voice
❍ halfway between 32 and 64 (compromise!)

Cell header

Cell format

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

109
ATM cell header
❒ VCI: virtual channel ID
❍ will change from link to link thru net
❒ PT: Payload type (e.g. RM cell versus data cell)
❒ CLP: Cell Loss Priority bit
❍ CLP = 1 implies low priority cell, can be
discarded if congestion
❒ HEC: Header Error Checksum
❍ cyclic redundancy check

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

110
ATM Physical Layer (more)
Two pieces (sublayers) of physical layer:
❒ Transmission Convergence Sublayer (TCS): adapts
ATM layer above to PMD sublayer below
❒ Physical Medium Dependent: depends on physical
medium being used

TCS Functions:
❍ Header checksum generation: 8 bits CRC
❍ Cell delineation
❍ With “unstructured” PMD sublayer, transmission
of idle cells when no data cells to send
5: DataLink Layer 5a-
111
ATM Physical Layer
Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) sublayer
❒ SONET/SDH: transmission frame structure (like a
container carrying bits);
❍ bit synchronization;
❍ bandwidth partitions (TDM);
❍ several speeds: OC3 = 155.52 Mbps; OC12 = 622.08
Mbps; OC48 = 2.45 Gbps, OC192 = 9.6 Gbps
❒ TI/T3: transmission frame structure (old
telephone hierarchy): 1.5 Mbps/ 45 Mbps
❒ unstructured: just cells (busy/idle)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

112
 IP-Over-ATM
IP over ATM
Classic IP only ❒ replace “network”
❒ 3 “networks” (e.g., (e.g., LAN segment)
LAN segments) with ATM network
❒ MAC (802.3) and IP ❒ ATM addresses, IP
addresses addresses
ATM
network

Ethernet Ethernet
LANs LANs
5: DataLink Layer 5a-
113
IP-Over-ATM

Issues: ATM
❒ IP datagrams into network
ATM AAL5 PDUs
❒ from IP addresses
to ATM addresses
❍ just like IP
addresses to
Ethernet
802.3 MAC
LANs
addresses!

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

114
Datagram Journey in IP-over-ATM Network
❒ at Source Host:
❍ IP layer maps between IP, ATM dest address (using ARP)
❍ passes datagram to AAL5
❍ AAL5 encapsulates data, segments cells, passes to ATM layer

❒ ATM network: moves cell along VC to destination

❒ at Destination Host:
❍ AAL5 reassembles cells into original datagram
❍ if CRC OK, datagram is passed to IP

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

115
Chapter 5 outline
❒ 5.1 Introduction and ❒ 5.6 Hubs, bridges, and
services switches
❒ 5.2 Error detection ❒ 5.7 Wireless links and
and correction LANs
❒ 5.3Multiple access ❒ 5.8 PPP
protocols ❒ 5.9 ATM
❒ 5.4 LAN addresses ❒ 5.10 Frame Relay
and ARP
❒ 5.5 Ethernet

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

116
Frame Relay

Like ATM:
❒ wide area network technologies
❒ Virtual-circuit oriented
❒ origins in telephony world
❒ can be used to carry IP datagrams
❍ can thus be viewed as link layers by IP
protocol

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

117
Frame Relay
❒ Designed in late ‘80s, widely deployed in the ‘90s
❒ Frame relay service:
❍ no error control
❍ end-to-end congestion control

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

118
Frame Relay (more)
❒ Designed to interconnect corporate customer LANs
❍ typically permanent VC’s: “pipe” carrying aggregate
traffic between two routers
❍ switched VC’s: as in ATM
❒ corporate customer leases FR service from public
Frame Relay network (e.g., Sprint, ATT)

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

119
Frame Relay (more)
flags address data CRC flags

❒ Flag bits, 01111110, delimit frame

❒ address:
❍ 10 bit VC ID field
❍ 3 congestion control bits
• FECN: forward explicit congestion
notification (frame experienced congestion
on path)
• BECN: congestion on reverse path
• DE: discard eligibility

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

120
Frame Relay -VC Rate Control
❒ Committed Information Rate (CIR)
❍ defined, “guaranteed” for each VC
❍ negotiated at VC set up time
❍ customer pays based on CIR

❒ DE bit: Discard Eligibility bit

❍ Edge FR switch measures traffic rate for each VC;
marks DE bit
❍ DE = 0: high priority, rate compliant frame; deliver
at “all costs”
❍ DE = 1: low priority, eligible for congestion discard

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

121
Frame Relay - CIR & Frame Marking

❒ Access Rate: rate R of the access link between

source router (customer) and edge FR switch
(provider); 64Kbps < R < 1,544Kbps
❒ Typically, many VCs (one per destination router)
multiplexed on the same access trunk; each VC has
own CIR
❒ Edge FR switch measures traffic rate for each
VC; it marks (i.e. DE = 1) frames which exceed CIR
(these may be later dropped)
❒ Internet’s more recent differentiated service
uses similar ideas

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

122
Chapter 5: Summary
❒ principles behind data link layer services:
❍ error detection, correction
❍ sharing a broadcast channel: multiple access
❍ link layer addressing, ARP

❒ link layer technologies: Ethernet, hubs,

bridges, switches,IEEE 802.11 LANs, PPP,
ATM, Frame Relay
❒ journey down the protocol stack now OVER!
❍ next stops: multimedia, security, network
management

5: DataLink Layer 5a-

123