CHAPTER- 5

DATA COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER

NETWORKS
Questions/Answers
Q1. Define the Basic terminology of data communication.
Ans : Basic Terminologies of Data Communication
1. Data
2. Data Communication
3. Data Transmission
4. Analog Signals
5. Digital Signals
6. Data Rate / Bit Rate
7. Baud Rate
8. Signal to Noise Ratio
 Data
Collection of raw facts and figures is called data. The word data is derived from Latin language and it is
plural of Datum. The text , numbers, symbols , image , voice and video which are processed by
computer are called data. Data can be considered as unprocessed information.
 Data Communication
Data Communication is the process of transferring data electrically from one place to another. It is the
process of exchange of data and information between two parties such as human and electronic or
computing device.
 Data Transmission
The data transmission means emission of data in any direction via wireless or wired medium.
Transmission may occur between source and destination.
 Analog Signals
Analog signals are a continuously varying signals or waves that change with time period and used to
represent data. An analog signal can be used to measure changes in some physical quantities such as
light, sound, pressure or temperature.
 Digital Signals
A digital signal is an electrical signal that is converted into a pattern of bits to represent a sequence of
discrete value, at any given time. It can only be one of the finite numbers represented as 0 or 1.
 Data Rate / Bit Rate
Data rate is the rate at which data is transferred. It is normally measured in bits per second. Data rate
can be ranging from bps (bits per second) for smaller values to kbps (kilo bits per second) and mbps
(megabits per second). It is also called bit rate. Data rate becomes faster when more bits are
transferred in one second.

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  Baud Rate
The baud rate is the number of signals transmitted per second and one signal can represent one or
more bits. It is used to describe the maximum change in an electronic signal.
 Signal to Noise Ratio
Signals-to-noise ratio (abbreviated SNR or S/N) is a measure used in engineering that compares the
level of a desired signal and the level of background noise. It is defined as the ratio of signal power to
the noise power, often expressed in decibels.
Q2. Elaborate the terms data rate and baud rate with corresponding formulas and standard units.
Ans : Data Rate / Bit Rate
Data rate is the rate at which data is transferred. It is normally measured in bits per second. Data rate
can be ranging from bps (bits per second) for smaller values to kbps (kilo bits per second) and mbps
(Megabits per second). It is also called bit rate . Data rate becomes faster when more bits are
transferred in one second.
Bit rate = baud rate x the number of bits per signal unit
Baud rate = bit rate / the number of bits per signal unit
Q3. Differentiate between Analog and Digital Signals.
Ans :
S.NO Analog Signal Digital Signal
An analog signal is a continuous wave that A digital signal is a discrete wave that carries
1
changes by time period. information in binary form.
2 Analog signals has no fixed range. Digital signals has a finite number i.e. 0 and 1
An analog signal can easily be disturbed by A digital signal is less prone to other signals
3
other signals or waves. disturbance.
The human voice is example of an analog
4 Signals used by computer are the digital signals.
signal.
An analog signal is represented by a sine
5 A digital signals is represented by square waves.
wave.
Analog signals are long term waves need to Digital signals are short term signals remain within
6
be boosting. digital devices / electronic.
Q4. Differentiate between Data Rate or Bit Rate and Baud Rate.
Ans :
S.NO Data Rate or Bit Rate Baud Rate
Bit rate tells the number of bits transmitted Baud rate is used when we want to know the number
1
per unit of time (Second). of signal units transmitted per unit of time (Second).
Baud rate is the number of times a signal is traveling
Bit rate is the number bit (0’s and I’s)
2 comprised of bits. One signal can represent more than
transmitted per second.
one bit.
Bit rate = baud rate x the number of bits per
3 Baud rate = bit rate / the number of bits per signal unit
signal unit
Q5. Mention different components of a Communication System.
Ans.: Components of Communication System
A Communication system has following five components
1. Message
2. Sender
3. Receiver
4. Medium
5. Protocol
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  Message
It is the information or data to be communicated. Common forms of information include text, numbers, pictures,
audio and video.
 Sender
It is the device that generates and sends a message. It can be a computer , telephone handset, etc.
 Receiver
Any particular digital electronic device which has capability to receive data in form of message. The location of
receiving computer is generally different from the sending computer. Like sender, it can also be a computer ,
telephone handset , etc.
 Medium
It is the channel or path through which the message is carried from sender to the receiver. Some examples include
twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, radio waves, etc.
 Protocol
Protocols are the rules and procedures on which computers exchange data on network. Sender and receiver follow
same protocols to communicate with each other.
Q6. What are the various properties of a good communication?
Ans :
S.No Characteristic Description
The system must be able to deliver data in correct order to current
1 Delivery
destination.
The system must deliver the data accurately. Data that has been altered
2 Accuracy
during transmission and left uncorrected is not useful.
The data must be delivered in a timely manner. Late delivered data is
3 Timeliness
useless.
Q7. Define the term computer network and networking.
Ans : Computer Network
A computer network is a group of computers and related equipment connected by a communication
links to share data and other resources. The related equipment may be printer, scanner, fax machines,
server, etc. The resources may include a file server, internet connection, etc.
Networking
Networking is the act of joining computers and its accessories so that exchange of information and
sharing of resources take place.
Q8. Classify the network types on the basis of their characteristics.
Ans : A computer network is mainly of four types:
 LAN (Local Area Network)
 MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
 WAN (Wide Area Network)

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 LAN (Local Area Network)
o Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as building, office.
o LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication medium such as twisted
pair, coaxial cable, etc.
o It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network adapters, and ethernet cables.
o The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network.
o Local Area Network provides higher security

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

o A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a different
LAN to form a larger network.
o Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries.
o In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line.
o The most widely used protocols in MAN are RS-232, Frame Relay, ATM, ISDN, OC-3, ADSL, etc.
o It has a higher range than Local Area Network (LAN).

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 WAN (Wide Area Network)
o A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.
o A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.
o A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area through a
telephone line, fiber optic cable or satellite links.
o The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.
o A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government, and education.

Q9. Define the term network topology.

Ans : Network Topology
The physical layout in which computers are connected is called topology. The topology of network
describes the way computer are connected. Topology is a major design consideration for computer
networking.
Q10. Develop understanding about physical layout of bus. ring and star topologies.
Ans : Bus topology
Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to single
cable. When it has exactly two endpoints, then it is called Linear Bus topology.

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 Ring topology
It is called ring topology because it forms a ring as each computer is connected to another computer, with
the last one connected to the first. Exactly two neighbors for each device.

Star topology
In this type of topology all the computers are connected to a single hub through a cable. This hub is the
central node and all others nodes are connected to the central node.

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Q11. Differentiate the network topologies according to their design and physical layout.
Ans :
S.No Bus topology
1 In Bus topology computers
and other devices are
connected with a single
cable .
2 The central cable is the
backbone of the network
and every device
communicates with the
other device through this
bus.
3 The advantage of Bus
topology are simplicity,
low cost and easy
expansion of the network.
4 The disadvantage of the
Bus topology is that a
breakdown in the bus
cable brings the entire
network down.
Ring topology
In Ring topology computer
are connected in a ring or
circle shape
The signal travels around
the loop in one direction
and passes through each
computer.
The recipient of the
message receives the
message while another
computer acts like a
repeater to send it to the
next computer.
The failure of a link or a
computer can make the
entire network non-
functional.
Star topology
In Star topology all the
computers are connected to a
central device called hub or
switch.
To communicate with any
computer, the sender must
send information to the hub.
Then the hub transmits that
information to the
destination.
The advantages on star
topology are easy to setup
and easy expansion of the
network.
If one link to the hub breaks,
only the station using that link
is affected not the whole
network.

Q12. Differentiate between Physical Address and Logical Address.

Ans :
S.NO Physical Address Logical Address
Physical address is attached with ROM
1. Logical address is assigned to a device
of the NIC card.
Physical Addressing means MAC
Logical addressing means IP addressing that is
(Media Access Control) provided by
provided by your Internet Service Provided by
2. manufacture and attached address of
your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or set by
the NIC. The card which is used to
network administrator.
connect your machine to the internet
Physical addressing cannot be
3. changed. They are also called Logical Address can be changed.
hardware address
Physical address is a 48 bit mac
4. Logical address is a 32 bit. IP Address.
address.
5. It is globally Unique and permanent. It is unique in one network and temporary.

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