QUESTION:

(a) Ethernet has grown in popularity in the recent years and is now used in LANs. Give three reasons for the success behind Ethernet.

(b) Ethernet uses the CSMA/CD multiple access protocol. Describe the features behind CSMA/CD.

(c) A bridge is a link layer device that stores and forwards Ethernet frames. One of its characteristics is that a bridge is self-learning. Bridges also do not offer protection against broadcast storms.

(i) Show, by means of a diagram, how a bridge learns.

(ii) Explain what is a broadcast storm is and how it can take place.

(d) Briefly describe the difference between store-and-forward and cut-through switches. Also, store-and-forward switches have an advantage over cut-through switches with respect to damaged frames. Explain what it is.