RMIT Classification: Trusted
Data Communication and Net-centric Computing (COSC1111)
Assignment 1 (20%)
Task 1 (10 marks)
Create a network topology using Packet Tracer version 8.2.2 that consists of five identical PCs, one
printer, one router. Two of the PCs are used as server. Each PC needs to be able to connect to the
Internet and share files with one another. The printer should be accessible by all PCs on the
network.
1. Configure the PCs, router, and printer to achieve this setup. (4 marks)
2. Configure one server hosts a web application using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) for
communication, while another server hosts a real-time streaming service using UDP (User
Datagram Protocol). (3 marks)
3. Initiate a DNS query by providing a domain name of your preference. The responses are
exchanged over UDP. Monitor the flow of DNS packets at data link layer, network layer,
and transport layer of OSI model, and show the address related information in the header
field. (3 marks)
You are required to:
• Provide screenshots of your configuration and step-by-step explanation of configuration
process, including IP addressing, subnetting, and any additional settings required for 1.1
and 1.2, and provide screenshots for address related information of associated layers.
• Submit a pka file that includes your configuration process, including IP addressing,
subnetting, and any additional settings required.
Task 2 (10 marks)
The head office of Car Sales occupies a three-story building with IP address 128.119.40.128 and
CIDR prefix /26. Assume each floor uses a subnet, including Subnet 1 for marketing department,
Subnet 2 for admin department and Subnet 3 for technical department, as shown in Figure 1 below.
It has a subnet 4 for branches outside this building.
1. Design a subnet mask that provides the same size 4 subnets. Provide detailed calculation
and fill in the following table. (3 marks)
NetID Subnet Host number
Subnet 1
Subnet 2
Subnet 3
Subnet 4
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RMIT Classification: Trusted
2. Assume that your student ID is assigned by your role (in one of the departments of Car
Sales) and can be identified by individual subnet addresses. Convert your student IDs into
binary by using the mod2 operation. Show the conversion and fill in the following table. (2
marks)
Student ID Converted binary Potential host Department
3. Investigate how data is transferred reliably between two members of your group that work
in two different subnets. You are required to answer each sub-question in less than 200
words. (5 marks).
• Show the host-to-host (higher-layer) and hop-to-hop (lower-layer) processing using a
figure (cite reference where needed, you are not encouraged to use figures from DCNC
lecture notes). Give details about which layers the processing is associated with?
• Discuss the processings inside a router and how a router decides next hop for sending
messages towards the destination.
• Explore how the higher-layers and the lower-layers complement each other to achieve
the reliable end-to-end data communication between sender and receiver.
Figure 1 SubNet structure in head office.
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