Skip to content
GATEiit

GATE CSE 2026 Session 2 Q21: File transfer time over three links of different bandwidth

Question

Consider a file of size 4 million bytes being transferred between two hosts connected via a path consisting of three consecutive links of bandwidth 2 Mbps, 500 kbps, and 1 Mbps, respectively. All processing delays and propagation delays are negligible. Assume that there is no other background traffic over the path and no other additional overhead to transfer the file.

Which one of the following is the total time (in seconds) to transfer the file?

Note: 1M=1061\text{M} = 10^6, 1k=1031\text{k} = 10^3

Try it: multiple choice: exactly one correct option

Select one option
Wrong answer costs 1/3 mark in GATE.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B (official GATE 2026 final answer key)

Concept used: End-to-end throughput of a path is limited by its bottleneck link.

First step: Convert the file to bits (32×10632 \times 10^6) and identify the slowest link on the path.

Full step-by-step solution

Detailed working, common mistakes and linked mock tests will be available with a free GATEiit account. Log-in is coming soon.

Share this question

WhatsAppDownload image

Source: official GATE 2026 Session 2 CS question paper and final answer key, organised by IIT Guwahati. Question paper · Answer key

More Computer Networks PYQs

PracticePractise Computer Networks questions →Full paperAll GATE CSE 2026 Session 2 questions →