Exam 1 - Sept 23, 2025
Topics to Review
1. Circuit Switching vs. Packet Switching
- Understand the key differences between circuit and packet switching.
- Compare their advantages and disadvantages, such as:
- Resource reservation
- Latency
- Efficiency
- Scalability
2. Router Delays
- Identify and explain the four types of router delays:
- Processing delay
- Queuing delay
- Transmission delay
- Propagation delay
- Be able to calculate end-to-end delay using these components.
3. Packet Loss
- Understand how and why packet loss occurs.
- Discuss the role of congestion, queue overflow, and network reliability.
4. TCP/IP Model & Devices
- Identify the TCP/IP model layers.
- Know which layers are used by:
- Switches
- Routers
- End hosts (computers)
5. Links to ISPs
- Differentiate between:
- Dedicated links
- Shared links
- Understand how each type affects:
- Bandwidth
- Performance
- Reliability
6. Security Threats
- Be familiar with common network attacks and malware types
7. Network Architectures
- Compare:
- Client-server architecture
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture
- Understand pros and cons related to:
- Cost
- Scalability
- Maintenance
8. Sockets
- Understand what a socket is in networking.
- Explain its role in enabling communication between processes over a network.
9. TCP vs. UDP
- Compare the services provided by:
- TCP: Reliable, ordered, connection-oriented.
- UDP: Unreliable, unordered, connectionless, lower overhead.
- Know when each is appropriate to use.
10. Cookies
- Understand the function of cookies in HTTP.
- Know how cookies are used for:
- Session management
- Personalization
- Tracking
11. DNS Server Types
- Compare centralized vs. distributed DNS architectures.
- Understand the trade-offs in:
- Performance
- Fault tolerance
- Scalability
12. Common Protocols and Ports
Know the default ports for the following protocols:
| Protocol | Port(s) | Secure Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP | 80 | HTTPS (443) | Web traffic |
| DNS | 53 | DNS over TLS (853) | Name resolution |
| FTP | 20, 21 | SFTP (989/990) | 20 = Data, 21 = Control |
| SMTP | 25 | SMTPS (465) | Email sending |
| POP3 | 110 | POP3S (995) | Email retrieval |
| IMAP | 143 | IMAPS (993) | Email retrieval |
Exam Guidelines
- Format: Open-book, open-notes.
- Duration: Entire class period.
- Content: May include a programming component.
- Post-Exam Time: Any remaining class time may be used for lecture or lab.
- Number of Exams: 4 total. The lowest score will be dropped.
- Make-Up Policy:
- Make-up exams require prior approval unless due to documented emergency or illness.
Study Tips
- Use practice problems to prepare for delay and port-based questions.
- Sketch diagrams of the TCP/IP stack and data flow.
- Review Wireshark traces to understand protocol behavior.
Good luck with your exam prep!
