Network Basics

1
Physical and Data Link Layer

Physical and Data Link Layer

In this module, you will learn about the physical devices involved in a
network configuration. These are the tangible devices also known as
end-user devices and you will learn on how information is converted to
a suitable language that a computer can understand.

Upon completion of this module,you should be able to:

1. Discuss the functions of Physical Layer
2. Identify the functions of the Data Link Layer
3. Describe the Logical Link Control Sub layer
4. Compare the Physical Layer with Data Link Layer

Physical Layer

Physical Layer Defined

The physical layer is the first layer of the Open System Interconnection
Model (OSI Model). The physical layer in charged with bit-level
transmission between different devices and supports physical interfaces
connecting to the physical medium for synchronized
communication. This layer is assigned with most of the network’s
physical connections - wireless transmission such as infrared, Bluetooth,
etc. and Wired communication like cabling, cabling standards and types,
connectors and types, network interface cards, and more - as per
network requirements.

Aphysical layer protocols also describe the mechanical, electrical,

functional and procedural means to activate, maintain and deactivate
physical connections for bit. Itis targeted at consolidating the hardware
requirements of a network to enable the successful transmission and
reception of data. Network engineers can define different bit-
transmission mechanisms for the physical layer level, including the
types of connectors, physical facilities such as cables twisted pairs,
optical fibers and frequencies for each physical medium.

The Physical Layer has the following services:

a. It converts a signal from one form to another so that it can be

physically transmitted over a communication channel
b. The Bit-by-bit Delivery
Course Module
 c. Line coding that shows data how transmission is done by
hardware devices that are converted for digital transmissions
d. The Synchronous Serial Communications characterized by Bit
Synchronization.
e. Start-Stop Signaling and Flow Control
f. Ease of Multiplexing
g. The Carrier Sensing and Collision detection that determines the
carrier availability and avoids transmission congestion problems
h. Signal Equalization
i. Forward Error Correction
Examples of protocols that use physical layers include:

a. Digital Subscriber Line

b. Integrated Services Digital Network
c. Infrared Data Association
d. Universal Serial Bus
e. Bluetooth
f. Controller Area Network
g. Ethernet

Data-Link layer
Data Link Layer Defined
The data link layer’s function is for the encoding, decoding and logical
organization of data bits. These Data packets are framed and addressed
by this layer, which has two sub layers. The data link layer's first sub
layer is the media access control (MAC) layer. It is used for source and
destination addresses. It allows the data link layer to provide the best
data transmission mode and manage data flow control. The data link
layer's second sub layer is the logical link control. It handles error
checking and data flow over a network.
The Data Link layer protocols describe methods for exchanging data
frames between devices over a common media. The data link layer frame
includes source and destination addresses, data length, start signal or
indicator and other related Ethernet information to enhance
communication. This layer's main responsibility is to transfer data
frames between nodes over a network.
Layer 2 Addresses (Data Link Layer)

a. Includes the host physical address.

b. It is concerned with the transmission of messages on a single local
network.
c. The Layer 2 address is unique on the local network and represents
the address of the end device on the physical media.
d. In a LAN using Ethernet, this address is called the Media Access
Control (MAC) address.
e. When two end devices communicate on the local Ethernet network,
the frames that are exchanged between them contain the destination
and source MAC addresses. (later)
 Network Basics
3
Physical and Data Link Layer

What is Media Access Control?

MAC may refer to the sublayer that identify who is allowed to access the
media at any one time (e.g. CSMA/CD). It is also refers to a frame structure
conveyed based on MAC addresses inside.
Two forms of MAC
a. Distributed
b. Centralized
The Media Access Control sublayer also determines its frame
synchronization where one frame of data ends and the next one starts.

Four Methods of Frame Synchronization

a. Time Based
It is a time-bounded between frames. The major configuration of this
is that new gaps can be introduced or old gaps can be lost due to
external influences.
b. Character Counting
In the remaining characters in the frame's header, this way, however,
is easily disturbed if this field sometimes get something wrongin
some way, thus making it difficult to keep up synchronization
c. Byte Stuffing and d. Bit Stuffing
A special byte sequence is preceded the frame such as DLE STX It and
succeeds it with DLE ETX. Appearances of DLE (byte value 0x10) have
to be escaped with another DLE. The start and stop marks are
detected at the receiver and removed as well as the inserted DLE
characters. Similarly, bit stuffing replaces these start and end marks
with flag consisting of a special bit pattern (e.g. a 0, six 1 bits and a 0).
The occurrences of this bit pattern in the data to be delivered are
avoided by inserting a bit. To use the example where the flag is
01111110, a 0 is inserted after 5 consecutive 1's in the data stream.
The flags and the inserted 0's are removed at the receiving end.
Because of this an arbitrary long frames and easy synchronization for
the recipient.

Note that this stuffed bit is added even if the following data bit is 0,
which could not be mistaken for a sync sequence, so that the receiver
can unambiguously distinguish stuffed bits from normal bits.

Course Module
Logical Link Control Sublayer

Logical Link Control Sublayer Defined

This is the uppermost sublayer, combines different protocols running
atop the data link layer, and optionally manages data flow control,
acknowledgment, and error notification.

The Logical link Control determines addressing and control of the data
link. It specifies which procedures are to be used for addressing stations
over the transmission medium and for controlling the data exchanged
between the originator and recipient machines.

Glossary
Bit: The basic or smallest unit of data or information in computing. It has a
binary value of either 0 or 1.
Byte: Unit of data or information consists of 8 bits.

References
Books and Journals
Cisco Networking Academy; 2016; Introduction to Networks v6 Companion
Guide1st Edition; United States of America: Amazon Digital Services LLC.
Tetz, Edward;2016; Cisco Networking All-in-One For Dummies1st
Edition;United States of America: For Dummies
Troy, McMillan; 2016; Cisco Networking Essentials 2nd Edition; United
States of America:Sybex
Online Supplementary Reading Material
An OSI layer model for the 21st century;
http://davidad.github.io/blog/2014/04/24/an-osi-layer-model-for-the-
21st-century/; September 4, 2017
The OSI Model: Understanding the Seven Layers of Computer Network;
http://ru6.cti.gr/bouras-old/WP_Simoneau_OSIModel.pdf; September 4,
2017
Online Instructional Videos
Networking - OSI Model - PHYSICAL LAYER;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSk5SLrg7Yg; September 4, 2017
OSI Model Physical Layer;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqOvu-wAAM0; September 4,
2017
OSI Model: The Data Link Layer;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi7mMjiixiY; September 4, 2017
Data Link Layer of the OSI Model: Protocol, Functions & Design;
http://study.com/academy/lesson/data-link-layer-of-the-osi-model-
protocol-functions-design.html ; September 4, 2017