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Computer Networks
Transport Protocols & IP Addressing
GATE 2023
Medium

Suppose two hosts are connected by a point-to-point link and they are configured to use Stop-and-Wait protocol for reliable data transfer. Identify in which one of the following scenarios, the utilization of the link is the lowest.

  • ALonger link length and lower transmission rate
  • Longer link length and higher transmission rate
  • CShorter link length and lower transmission rate
  • DShorter link length and higher transmission rate

Explanation

Utilization ≈ Tt/(Tt+2Tp), where Tt is transmission time and Tp is propagation delay. Utilization is lowest when Tp dominates Tt: a LONGER link length increases Tp directly, and a HIGHER transmission rate DECREASES Tt (since Tt=packet size/rate) — both effects push utilization down. So longer link + higher transmission rate gives the lowest utilization.

Source: GATE CS 2023 (2023)

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