Question

Computer network traffic can be routed along any of four routes. If a total of \(1680 \mathrm{Mbit} / \mathrm{s}\) are distributed equally along the four routes, calculate the data rate on each. If one of the routes is disabled, calculate the data rate on each of the three remaining routes.

Short answer

Answer: When all four routes are available, each route carries 420 Mbit/s. When one route is disabled, each of the remaining three routes carries 560 Mbit/s.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate the data rate on each route when all four routes are available

To find the data rate on each of the four routes, we will divide the total network traffic by the total number of routes. Data Rate = Total Network Traffic / Total Number of Routes Data Rate = 1680 Mbit/s / 4 Data Rate = 420 Mbit/s So, when all four routes are available, each route carries 420 Mbit/s.

Calculate the data rate on each route when one route is disabled

Now, we need to find the data rate on each route when one route is disabled. There are three remaining routes, so we will divide the total network traffic by 3. Data Rate = Total Network Traffic / Total Number of Remaining Routes Data Rate = 1680 Mbit/s / 3 Data Rate = 560 Mbit/s So, when one route is disabled, each of the remaining three routes carries 560 Mbit/s.

Key concepts

Data Rate Calculation

The concept of 'data rate calculation' is essential for understanding how network traffic is managed across various routes or channels. In the context of our exercise, data rate refers to the amount of digital data transmitted per unit of time, commonly measured in megabits per second (Mbit/s). When a network is tasked with routing a specific total bandwidth, determining how much data can be sent over each route is a fundamental aspect.

With a total of 1680 Mbit/s to be distributed and four routes available, the calculation is straightforward: divide the total network traffic by the number of routes. This gives us a data rate of \( \frac{1680 \text{ Mbit/s}}{4} \) which equals 420 Mbit/s per route. Understanding this calculation is critical for network planning and management, ensuring that the infrastructure is capable of handling the required data load without congestion or bottlenecking points.

Students should remember that this uniform distribution assumes each route can handle the same capacity, which is an idealized scenario. In real-world applications, other factors such as route latency, error rate, and physical media limitations might affect this simple division.

Bandwidth Distribution

Discussing 'bandwidth distribution' sheds light on how network resources are allocated. Bandwidth is the capacity of a network link to transmit the maximum amount of data per second. When we have multiple routes, like in our exercise, bandwidth is shared among these paths to optimize the performance of the network.

Uniformly distributing 1680 Mbit/s of network traffic means each route gets an equal share, making this a case of static load balancing. Understanding and calculating bandwidth distribution enables network architects to design networks that efficiently handle the expected traffic while maintaining high quality of service for users.

However, if there's a change in the network topology, such as a route's failure, the bandwidth distribution needs to be recalculated. When one of the four routes is unavailable, the total traffic must then be divided by the three remaining routes, resulting in higher data rates for each since \( \frac{1680 \text{ Mbit/s}}{3} \) equals 560 Mbit/s per route. These concepts are particularly relevant for systems that rely on constant connectivity and uptime, like online services and cloud computing platforms.

Network Redundancy

The principle of 'network redundancy' is central to ensuring reliable and continuous network operation, even when some components fail. In our exercise, redundancy is implied since the network traffic can flow through any of the four given routes. If one route becomes disabled, the network can still function as the traffic reroutes through the remaining channels.

Network redundancy involves creating additional paths for data to travel, which can be activated in case of a route failure. This concept is essential for maintaining network availability and avoiding single points of failure that can lead to significant downtime.

In the exercise, when one route is disabled, the remaining three routes have to take on a larger share of the traffic. This means each must support a data rate of 560 Mbit/s instead of 420 Mbit/s. Students should understand that while redundancy improves reliability, it also requires more careful capacity planning. Network designers must ensure the remaining routes can handle increased loads in case of failures to prevent performance degradation or total network outages.