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The Data Link Layer

Position of the data-link layer

Framing

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Data Link Layer is logically divided into 2

sublayers depending upon functionality

Vijay S. Katta 3

Functions of MAC Sublayer

Functions of MAC Sublayer:

1. Framing: Divides data into frames for transmission.
2. Addressing: Provides unique MAC addresses for devices on a network.
3. Error Detection: Uses CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) for error detection.
4. Access Control: Controls access to the shared medium (e.g., CSMA/CD in Ethernet, CSMA/CA in Wi-Fi).
5. Flow Control: Prevents data congestion between sender and receiver.
6. Packet Prioritization: Manages Quality of Service (QoS) for different types of data.
7. Collision Handling: Detects and resolves collisions in a shared medium.

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Functions of Data Link Control (DLC) Sublayer:

1. Establishing and Terminating Links: Manages the establishment and termination of communication links.
2. Error Control: Ensures error-free transmission using techniques like Automatic Repeat request (ARQ).
3. Flow Control: Prevents overwhelming the receiver by regulating the data flow.
4. Data Sequencing: Ensures frames are delivered in the correct order.
5. Acknowledgment Mechanism: Confirms the receipt of frames.
6. Logical Link Control (LLC): Provides multiplexing of network protocols on the same network interface.

Summary:
• MAC sublayer: Focuses on physical addressing and medium access control.
• DLC sublayer: Ensures reliable, error-free communication between devices.

Data Link Layer Design Issues

• Services Provided to the Network

Layer
• Framing
• Line Discipline
• Error Control
• Flow Control

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Functions of the Data Link Layer (2)

Relationship between packets and frames.

Services Provided to Network Layer (2)

Placement of the data link protocol.

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Data link layer duties

Framing
Framing

Framing
1. A character Count.

fig(a) Without errors..

fig(b) With one error.

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Framing (2) Character flag with character

stuff

(a) A frame delimited by flag bytes.

(b) Four examples of byte sequences before
and after stuffing.

Framing (3) Bit flag with bit stuffing

Bit stuffing
(a) The original data.
(b) The data as they appear on the line.
(c) The data as they are stored in receiver’s memory
after destuffing.

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Data Link Control sublayer Design Issues

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ENQ/ACK

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ENQ/ACK

Multipoint Discipline

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Select

Poll

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Error Detection
and Correction

 Types of Errors
 Detection
 Correction

Note:

Data can be corrupted during

transmission. For reliable
communication, errors must be
detected and corrected.

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Types of Errors

Single-bit error

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Multiple-bit error

Burst error

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Error Detection

Note:

Error detection uses the

concept of redundancy, which
means adding extra bits for
detecting errors at the
destination.

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Error Detection Methods

VRC

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LRC

VRC and LRC

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Cyclic Redundancy Check

Polynomial

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Polynomial and Divisor

Figure 9-14

Standard Polynomials

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Table of Standard polynomials

Name Polynomial Application

CRC-8 x8 + x2 + x + 1 ATM header

CRC-10 x10 + x9 + x5 + x4 + x 2 + 1 ATM AAL
ITU-16 x16 + x12 + x5 + 1 HDLC
x32 + x26 + x23 + x22 + x16 + x12 + x11 + x10
ITU-32 LANs
+ x8 + x7 + x5 + x4 + x2 + x + 1

Example:1
 Data :- 100100

 Divisor :- x3 + x2 +1
 Solution:-

 Divisor :- 1101
 Use modulo 2 Division
(X-OR Operation)

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Binary division in a CRC generator

10.9 Binary division in CRC checker

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Calculation of the polynomial code checksum.

Example
It is obvious that we cannot choose x (binary 10) or x2 + x
(binary 110) as the polynomial because both are divisible
by x.

However, we can choose x + 1 (binary 11) because it is

not divisible by x, but is divisible by x + 1. We can also
choose x2 + 1 (binary 101) because it is divisible by x + 1
(binary division).

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Example
The CRC-12

x12 + x11 + x3 + x + 1
which has a degree of 12, will detect all burst errors
affecting an odd number of bits, will detect all burst
errors with a length less than or equal to 12.

Data Unit and Checksum

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Note:

The sender follows these steps:

•The unit is divided into k sections, each of n bits.

•All sections are added using one’s complement to get the sum.

•The sum is complemented and becomes the checksum.

•The checksum is sent with the data.

Note:

The receiver follows these steps:

•The unit is divided into k sections, each of n bits.

•All sections are added using one’s complement to get the sum.

•The sum is complemented.

•If the result is zero, the data are accepted: otherwise, rejected.

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Example 7
Suppose the following block of 16 bits is to be sent using a
checksum of 8 bits.
10101001 00111001
The numbers are added using one’s complement
1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1
0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1
--------------------------------------------------
Sum 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Checksum 00011101
The pattern sent is 10101001 00111001 00011101

Example
Now suppose the receiver receives the pattern sent in Example and there
is no error.
10101001 00111001 00011101
When the receiver adds the three sections, it will get all 1s, which, after
complementing, is all 0s and shows that there is no error.
10101001
00111001
00011101
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sum 111 11111
Complement 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 means that the pattern is OK.

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Figure 9-17

Error Correction

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Figure 9-18
Hamming Code

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Figure 9-19
Hamming Code

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Figure 9-19-continued
Hamming Code

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Figure 9-20
Example of Hamming Code

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Figure 9-21

Single-bit error

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Figure 9-22

Error
Detection

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Error-Correcting Codes
Use of a Hamming code to correct burst errors.

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