Computer Networks Lab Viva Questions and Answers
Q: What is a Computer Network?
A: A computer network is a group of interconnected devices (computers, routers, servers,
etc.) that communicate with each other to share resources and data. Networks enable data
exchange and resource sharing between devices.
Q: What are the types of networks?
A: LAN (Local Area Network): Covers a small geographical area like a single building.
WAN (Wide Area Network): Covers a broad area and can span across cities or countries.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Spans a city or a large campus.
PAN (Personal Area Network): Covers a small personal area, like Bluetooth or home Wi-Fi.
Q: What is the OSI Model?
A: The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework used to
understand network interactions. It has seven layers: Physical, Data Link, Network,
Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.
Q: Explain the purpose of each layer in the OSI model.
A: Physical Layer: Transmits raw bitstreams over a physical medium.
Data Link Layer: Responsible for node-to-node data transfer and error detection.
Network Layer: Handles routing and forwarding of data packets.
Transport Layer: Ensures reliable data transfer and flow control (e.g., TCP).
Session Layer: Manages sessions between applications.
Presentation Layer: Translates data between the application layer and lower layers.
Application Layer: Provides network services to end-users (e.g., HTTP, FTP).
Q: What is a MAC Address?
A: A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to network
interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. It is a 48-bit address,
usually represented in hexadecimal format, and it helps in identifying devices on a local
network.
Q: What is an IP Address?
A: An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique address assigned to each device connected
to a network. It helps in identifying the device across the network and allows
communication with other devices.
Q: Differentiate between TCP and UDP.
A: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): Connection-oriented protocol, provides reliable
data transfer, error-checking, and flow control.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): Connectionless protocol, faster than TCP but does not
guarantee delivery, commonly used in applications like streaming and online gaming.
Q: What is DNS?
A: DNS (Domain Name System) is a protocol that translates human-readable domain names
(e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses, enabling users to access websites using URLs
instead of IP addresses.
Q: What are the types of transmission modes?
A: Simplex: Data flows in only one direction.
Half-Duplex: Data flows in both directions, but only one direction at a time.
Full-Duplex: Data flows simultaneously in both directions.
Q: What is a Router?
A: A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between networks. It directs
traffic and chooses the optimal path for data transmission.
Q: What is Ethernet?
A: Ethernet is a technology for connecting devices in a LAN. It defines protocols and
standards for data transfer at the data link and physical layers and is commonly used in
wired networks.
Q: What is a Subnet?
A: A subnet (subnetwork) is a segment of a network that is partitioned to improve
performance and security. It divides a large network into smaller, more manageable
sections, which helps in reducing congestion and enhances security.
Q: Explain the concept of Network Topology.
A: Network topology refers to the arrangement of devices and their connections in a
network. Common topologies include:
Bus: All devices share a single communication line.
Ring: Devices are connected in a circular manner.
Star: All devices connect to a central hub.
Mesh: Devices are interconnected with many redundant paths.
Q: What is NAT?
A: NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method used by routers to map multiple private
IP addresses to a single public IP address, conserving global IP address space and providing
an additional layer of security.
Q: What is a Firewall?
A: A firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing
network traffic based on predefined security rules, creating a barrier between a trusted
internal network and untrusted external networks.
Q: What is Bandwidth?
A: Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a
given time, typically measured in Mbps or Gbps.
Q: What is DHCP?
A: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a protocol that automatically assigns IP
addresses to devices on a network, reducing the need for manual IP configuration.
Q: What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
A: IPv4: 32-bit address, supporting about 4.3 billion unique addresses.
IPv6: 128-bit address, providing a vastly larger address space to support the growing
number of internet devices.
Q: What is a Packet?
A: A packet is a small unit of data sent over a network. It contains both the data being
transmitted and control information (headers) used for routing and ensuring the data
reaches its destination.
Q: What is Network Latency?
A: Network latency is the delay experienced in data transmission over a network. It is
typically measured in milliseconds and can impact performance, especially in real-time
applications.
