CS-602 Computer Networks - Jun 2026 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aDefine Computer Network. Explain its goals, components, and applications.
   How to answer

   • Definition of computer network as interconnected autonomous computers for resource sharing
   • Goals: resource sharing, reliability, cost saving, communication, scalability
   • Components: hosts, NIC, media, switches, routers, protocols, software
   • Applications: email, file sharing, WWW, e-commerce, remote access
2. 7 Marks
   bCompare the OSI Reference Model and TCP/IP Model with suitable diagrams.
   How to answer

   • Layered structure of 7-layer OSI model with diagram
   • Structure of 4-layer TCP/IP model with diagram
   • Comparison table on layers, services, protocols, usage
   • Merits and criticisms of each model
3. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss design issues in computer networks and explain the concepts of connection-oriented and connectionless services.
   How to answer

   • Key design issues: addressing, error control, flow control, routing, multiplexing
   • Connection-oriented service: phases, reliability, example TCP
   • Connectionless service: datagrams, characteristics, example UDP
   • Comparison of both services
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain the principles of Physical media, bandwidth, data rate, and data modulation.
   How to answer

   • Physical transmission media: guided vs unguided
   • Concept of bandwidth and its significance
   • Data rate vs baud rate and Nyquist/Shannon limits
   • Data modulation techniques and need for modulation
5. 7 Marks
   aExplain the functions of the Data Link Layer. Discuss framing techniques in detail.
   How to answer

   • Functions of Data Link Layer: framing, error and flow control, access control
   • Character count framing technique
   • Byte stuffing and bit stuffing techniques
   • Physical layer coding violations
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain Go-Back-N ARQ and Selective Repeat ARQ protocols with suitable examples.
   How to answer

   • Working of Go-Back-N ARQ with window and timeout example
   • Working of Selective Repeat ARQ with individual retransmission example
   • Sender and receiver window behavior in each
   • Comparison of efficiency and buffering requirements
7. 7 Marks
   aDescribe flow control techniques. Compare Stop-and Wait and Sliding Window Protocols.
   How to answer

   • Need for flow control and its techniques
   • Stop-and-Wait protocol operation and efficiency
   • Sliding Window protocol operation and pipelining
   • Comparison table of both protocols
8. 7 Marks
   bExplain MAC addressing and Binary Exponential Backoff (BEB) algorithm.
   How to answer

   • MAC address format: 48-bit, OUI, unicast/multicast/broadcast
   • Role of MAC addressing in LAN delivery
   • Binary Exponential Backoff steps after collision
   • Formula for waiting time $k \times slot$ with $k < 2^i$
9. 7 Marks
   aCompare CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA protocols.
   How to answer

   • CSMA/CD principle: listen, transmit, collision detection
   • CSMA/CA principle: collision avoidance with RTS/CTS
   • Comparison on medium, usage in Ethernet vs wireless
   • Advantages and limitations of each
10. 7 Marks
    bDescribe IEEE 802 LAN standards and explain the architecture of Local Area Networks.
    How to answer

    • Overview of IEEE 802 family: 802.3, 802.11, 802.15 etc.
    • LLC and MAC sublayers in LAN architecture
    • LAN topologies and components
    • Diagram of LAN architecture
11. 7 Marks
    aExplain the functions of the Network Layer and discuss different switching techniques.
    How to answer

    • Network layer services: routing, addressing, packetizing
    • Circuit switching characteristics
    • Packet switching: datagram and virtual circuit
    • Message switching and comparison
12. 7 Marks
    bDescribe Bellman-Ford routing algorithm and compare it with Dijkstra's algorithm.
    How to answer

    • Bellman-Ford distance-vector iteration and handling negative weights
    • Dijkstra greedy shortest-path steps
    • Comparison on complexity, negative weights, distributed vs centralized
    • Example network illustrating both
13. 7 Marks
    aCompare IPv4 and IPv6 protocols highlighting their advantages and limitations.
    How to answer

    • IPv4 header, 32-bit addressing and limitations
    • IPv6 header, 128-bit addressing and features
    • Comparison table on address size, header, security, QoS
    • Advantages and limitations of each
14. 7 Marks
    bExplain the services and functions of the Transport Layer.
    How to answer

    • End-to-end services: multiplexing, reliability, connection management
    • Functions: segmentation, flow and error control, addressing
    • TCP vs UDP services
    • Relation to upper and lower layers
15. 7 Marks
    aDiscuss congestion control and flow control mechanisms used in TCP.
    How to answer

    • TCP flow control using sliding window and receiver advertisement
    • Congestion control phases: slow start, congestion avoidance, fast retransmit
    • Difference between flow control and congestion control
    • Diagrams of cwnd evolution
16. 7 Marks
    bExplain the architecture and working of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
    How to answer

    • SNMP components: manager, agent, MIB
    • SNMP operations: Get, Set, Trap and message format
    • Architecture diagram of management model
    • Working steps for network monitoring