Data-Link Protocols and Data Communications Network

Protocols are arrangements between people or processes. A data-link protocol is a set of rules
implementing and governing an orderly exchange of data between layer two devices, such as line-
control units and frontend processors.









The data link layer provides functional and procedural means to establish, maintain and release
data link connection among network entities and to transfer data link services data units, data
link layer detects and possibly corrects errors which may occur in the physical layer.
A data link connection is built upon or several physical connections. In addition, the data link
layer enables the network layer to control the interconnection of data circuits within the
physical layer.
Data-Link Protocol Function
The basic function of the layer is to transmit frames over a physical communication link. Transmission
may be half duplex or full duplex. The protocol (control mechanism) should be capable of performing:
1. The identification of a frame (i.e. recognize the first and last bits of a frame).
2. The transmission of frames of any length up to a given maximum. Any bit pattern is permitted in
a frame.
3. The detection of transmission errors.
4. The retransmission of frames which were damaged by errors.
5. The assurance that no frames were lost.
6. In a multidrop configuration Some mechanism must be used for preventing conflicts caused by
simultaneous transmission by many stations.
7. The detection of failure or abnormal situations for control and monitoring purposes.
It should be noted that as far as layer 2 is concerned a host message is pure data, every single
bit of which is to be delivered to the other host. The frame header pertains to layer 2 and is never given
to the host.
Data-link protocol functions include line discipline, flow control, and error control.
Line discipline coordinates hop-to-hop data delivery where a hop is a computer, a network
controller, or some type of network-connecting device, such as a router
Line discipline determines which device is transmitting and which is receiving at any point in
time.
Flow control coordinates the rate at which data is transported over a link and generally provides
an acknowledgment mechanism that ensures that data is received at the destination.
Error control specifies a means of detecting and correcting transmission errors.





ENQ/ACK line discipline procedures determine which device on a network can initiate a
transmission and whether the intended receiver is available and ready to receive the message.
(Simple data link layer, Ex. Two point network)
The initiating station begins a session by transmitting a frame of data called an enquiry (ENQ),
which identifies the receiving station.
With half-duplex transmission, it waits for a response from the destination station indicating
whether it is ready to receive a message. If the destination station is ready to receive a message,
it responds with a positive acknowledgement (ACK), and if it is not ready, it responds with a
negative acknowledgement (NAK).


Primary Station (Control Station)
Primary Station is responsible for controlling the operation of the link. It means, the station
manages data flow by issuing commands to other stations and acting on their responses.









Example of ENQ/ACK line discipline
Station A initiates the session by sending an ENQ to station B. Station B responds with a positive
acknowledgment (ACK), indicating that it is ready to receive a message. Station A transmits message
frame I, which is acknowledged by station B with an ACK. Then, Station A transmits message frame 2,
which is rejected by station B with a NAK, indicating that the message was received with errors. Station
A retransmits message frame 2, which is received without errors and acknowledged by station B with an
ACK.
Flow Control
Terminology
Simplex: Signals flows always in one direction (e.g., computer to printer
Half Duplex: Alternating one-way. Signal flows in both directions not simultaneously but
alternatively.
Full Duplex: Signal flow is in both directions simultaneously.
Logical Connectivity
Peer-to-Peer: Either station can initiate a call
Primary-Secondary: Only the Primary may initiate a call. There is no Secondary-to-Secondary
calls initiated separately.
Connection phases: Apply to both logical connectivity types : Peer-to-Peer, Primary Secondary
Connection Establishment: Determines which station transmits, which receives, and
whether the receiver is ready to receive.
Data Transfer : Data are transferred in one or more acknowledgement blocks.
Connection Termination: Terminates the logical connection, physical connection upon
which that logical connection was based may remain connected.
Flow Control(Physical Connectivity Possibilities)
Point-to-Point
Logical Connectivity: Can use either Peer-to-Peer or Primary-Secondary depending on
whether a Primary station has been designated or not.
Addressing: No addressing is required.
Multipoint
Logical Connectivity
Peer-to-Peer: Uses contest access methods.
Primary-Secondary: Uses Poll(The primary request data from the secondary) and
Select (The primary has data to send to the secondary)
Addressing
Peer-to-Peer: Two address required (transmitter and receiver)
Primary-Secondary: One address needed, to identify the secondary.
Poll/Select: The poll/select method of line discipline works with topologies where one device
is designated as a primary station and the other devices are secondary stations. Whenever
multipoint link consists of a primary device and multiple secondary devices using a single
transmission line, all exchanges must be made through primary device. The primary device
controls the link; the secondary device follows its instructions. It is up to the primary to
determine which device is allowed to use the channel at a given time. The primary therefore is
always the initiator of a session. If the primary wants to receive data and send data, it applies
functions called poll and select respectively.
A poll is a solicitation sent from the primary station to a secondary station to determine if the
secondary station has data to transmit. The primary designates a secondary as a transmitter
with a poll. A selection is when the primary designates a secondary as a destination or recipient
of data. A selection is also a query from the primary to determine if the secondary is ready to
receive data. All secondary stations receive all polls and selections transmitted from the
primary. With poll/select procedures each station is assigned one or more addresses for
identification. It is up to the secondaries to examine the address to determine if the poll or
selection is intended for them.
The primary polls station A, which responds with a negative acknowledgment to a poll (NAK),
indicating that it received the poll but has no message to send. Then the primary polls station B,
which responds with a positive acknowledgment to a poll (i.e., a message). The primary then
selects station B to see if it ready to receive a message. Station B responds with a positive
acknowledgment to the selection (ACK), indicating that it is ready to receive a message. The
primary transmits the message to station B. The primary then selects station C, which responds
with a negative acknowledgment to the selection (NAK), indicating that it is not ready to receive
a message.