Topic: Introduction to Data Communication

and Networks
 Data Communication describes a
process in which two or more
computers or devices transfer data,
instructions and information.

 For data to be communicated

successfully the following is needed:
 A sending device- this initiates an
instruction to transmit data,
instructions and information for e.g.
desktop computers, servers
 A communication channel- or
transmission media on which the data,
instructions, or information travel for
e.g. telephone lines and satellites.
 A receiving device- a device that
accepts the transmission of data,
instructions or information.
 A server is a powerful computer that
helps to manage a network of
computers.
 A file server handles all the shared
files and data.
 A print server manages access to a
printer.
 Point-to-Point: a direct link between
two computers in a network.

 Broadcast: using one computer to

transmit data and information to serve
the needs of several terminals or
computers connected to it in a
network.
A network is a collection of computers
linked together so they can share
facilities such as printers and hard
drives.
 Many businesses network their
computers together to facilitate
communications; share hardware, data
and information.
 LAN

 WAN

 MAN
 This network connects computers and
devices in a limited geographical area
such as your home, school computer
library via cables.

 Each computer or device on the

network is called a node. Each node
shares resources such as printers and
are connected via cables.
 A WAN is a network that covers a large
geographic area such as a city,
country or even the world using a
communications channel that uses
satellite rather than cables.
 The internet is the worlds largest
WAN.
 A Metropolitan Area Network is a high
speed network operated by an
organization that connects several
LANs in a metropolitan area such as a
city or town.
 The MAN handles the bulk of
communication in that area.
 A MAN typically includes one or more
LANs but covers a smaller
geographical area that a WAN.
 There are times when a computer has
to be connected to server that is a
long distance away. In order for this
connection to be made the computer
has to dial up the number of the
telephone.
 Computers and telephone lines use
different signals to transmit data.

 Computers use digital signals whilst

telephones use analogue signals
therefore modems convert the digital
analogue and vice versa.
 Refers to the different methods used
to transmit data from one computer to
another.
 Transmission media are the cables
and signaling devices that carry data
communications from one place to
another in a network.
 There are two types of transmission
media:
 Wired
 Wireless
 Coaxial
 Fiber optics
 Twisted pair cables
 Coaxial cables carry electric current at
radio frequencies.
 Coaxial cables are found on
televisions, videos and cable TV. They
use thickly insulated copper wires and
are capable of high speed
transmission.
 Have been used for
telephone networks
over a century,
although they are
gradually being
replaced by fibre
optic cables.
 These cables
consist of clear
glass fibers and
data is transmitted
through them as
pulses of light
rather than
electronic signals.
 This eliminates the
problem of
electronic
interference.
 Fiber optic cables are not affected by
moisture and lightning.

 Fiber optic cable can transmit signals

over much longer distances than
coaxial and twisted pair cables. It also
transmit information at great speeds.
It is now being used in telephone
systems
 Wireless connections are normally
fast, and can be very convenient.
 Wireless connections use
electromagnetic waves.
 Satellites
enable radio signals to
be sent around the world.
 Data is sent by radio signals to
the satellite in space then directed
back down to a receiving station
in another country.
 Eg Radio stations
 Uses signals with a shorter wave
length than radio. It can be used over
distances of up to 50 km, but it
cannot get through round objects in
its way.
 Is used in remote controls for
television and other domestic devices.
The signal is much shorter than radio.
It is rarely used in computer systems,
for example when controlling robots.
 This signal cannot travel very far and
also needs a clear space.
 Wi-Fi- is a wireless method of data
transmission that is used in LAN’s and
for Internet access.

 Bluetooth- is a wireless method of

data transmission that uses radio
signals to send data between devices
over a short distance.
Ahotspot is a public place where
you can access Wi-Fi.
 Bandwidth is a measure of how fast
data and information travel over
transmission media.
 Thus higher speed internet
connections have a higher bandwidth
than dial up connections
 There three types of bandwidth.
 A narrowband channel covers
frequencies up to 300 Hz. The most
popular form of narrowband channel
is telegraph line used in the 50’s and
60’s.
 A narrowband channel is used when
data is being typed directly and no
storage or calculations necessary.
 Voiceband- cover frequencies from
300 Hz to 3000hz and carry voice
well. E.g a telephone line
 It is easy to handle and very cheap,
but relatively slow.
 Uses twisted pair and unshielded
twisted pair cables
 A broadband is the term used for
frequencies over 3000hz, and can be
used for high quality music
broadcasts.
 Uses coaxial and fibre optic cables.
 Simplex- data in a simplex line can
flow in only one direction, just like
traffic in a one way street. It is a send
only or receive only line. Examples are
radio, television, computer to printer
or a baby monitor.
 Half- duplex: data in a half-duplex
line can traveling in both direction,
but only one way at a time. In other
words, data can be either sent or
received at any given time. For
example a walkie talkie is half duplex.
 Full duplex- data in a full duplex can
be both sent and received at the same
time, like traffic in a two way street.

 telephones use full duplex mode