Introduction to Communication

Data communication is the process of sending and

receiving data electronically from one computer or similar
device to another. Linking one computer to another permits
the power and resources of that computer to be tapped. It
also makes possible the updating and sharing of data at
different locations.
• Computers that are located in the same room or office
building, can communicate data through a direct cable link.
• Computers located far away use a special form of data
communication – telecommunication or telegraph.
 Nuts and Bolts of a Network

A network is any collection of independent computers

that communicate with one another over a shared
network medium.
• Sender / Source – the person or the object which sends data
• Medium – medium used to transmit data (telephone wires / wireless)
• Receiver/ destination – the person or the object which receives data
Communication Mode - SIMPLEX

• Getting print outs

• watching television
• listening to radio
 Communication Mode
Half duplex

• Browsing internet
• walkie-talkie
• hub
 Communication Mode
Full Duplex

Telephone conversation
Video conferencing
switch
 STP UTP
shielded twisted pair Unshielded twisted pair
Co axial Fiber Optics
 Applications of Data Communication and
Computer Networks

• Internet
• Teller and point-of-sale terminals
• Air Traffic control & Ticket reservation
• Railway reservation systems, and hotel reservation systems
• Electronic Banking
• Web Based Learning.
• Video Conferencing etc.
 Types of Network
Local Area Network (LAN) - LANs are networks usually confined to
a geographic area, such as a single building or a college campus. LANs can be
small, linking as few as three computers, but often link hundreds of
computers.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - MAN is basically a bigger

version of a LAN and normally uses similar technology. It might cover a
group of near by corporate offices or a city and might be either private or
public.

Wide Area Network (WAN) - Often a network is located in multiple

physical places. Wide area networking combines multiple LANs that are
geographically separate. This is accomplished by connecting the different
LANs using services such as dedicated leased phone lines, dial-up phone lines
(both synchronous and asynchronous), satellite links, and data packet carrier
services.
 Local Area Network (LAN)

Star topology Ring topology Mesh topology

Pear to Pear

Bus topology
Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN interconnects computers (hosts), which are located

geographically at long distances. The hosts are connected by
communication subnet. The job of the subnet is to carry messages
from host to host.

The routers are specialized computers. When data arrive on

incoming line, the router chooses an outgoing line to forward
them on. The collection of communication lines and routers (but
not hosts) forms the subnet.

Many different networks, including LANs, MANs and WANs are

together form an Internet.
An example for a WAN
(Wide Area Network)

ikaksfõok pJøsldj
Telecommunication
Satellite
Twisted pair
A basic twisted-pair cable consists of two strands of copper wire twisted
together. This twisting reduces the sensitivity of the cable to electro magnetic
interference.
Shielded twisted pair
Shielded twisted-pair cabling consists of one or more twisted pairs of cables
enclosed in a foil wrap and woven copper shielding. The shield further reduces the
tendency of the cable to radiate EMI and thus reduces the cable’s sensitivity to
outside interference.
Unshielded twisted pair
Unshielded twisted-pair cable doesn’t incorporate a braided shield into its
structure.

RJ 45 Connector
Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cables were the first cable types used in LANs. Gets its name because
two conductors share a common axis; the cable is most frequently referred to
as coax.
Fiber Optics
The centre conductor of a fiber-optic cable is a fiber that consists of highly refined
glass or plastic designed to transmit light signals with little loss. A glass core
supports a longer cabling distance, but a plastic core is typically easier to work
with. The fiber is coated with a cladding that reflects signals back into the fiber to
reduce signal loss. A plastic sheath protects the fiber.
 Connectivity Devices
Hubs
The hub's major function is to replicate data it receives from one device
attached to it to all others.
Bridges
Bridges are used to increase the number of addressable nodes on a network or
to link two geographically distant but similar networks.

Routers
A major feature of a router is that it chooses the best route between networks
that may have multiple paths between them. IP addressing and subnet
masking are used to route packets
Modems
A modem is a device that converts digital data originating from a computer to
analog signals used by voice communication networks, such as the telephone
system. A modem may also convert analogue data originating from a (say, a
telephone line) to digital data for use by a computer.

Modulation
Digital Analog
Signal Demodulation Signal

Modem Digital Device

Analog Device

Analog Signals Digital Signals

Telephone Computer
Digita Signal

Analog Signal
Internal External
Modem Modem
• Server - Computer that provide shared resources to
networks
• Client - Computer that access shared networks resources
provided by server

Microcomputer Microcomputer

Printer
Client

Printer Minicomputer

Server
Gateways
Gateways interface two dissimilar networks. Gateways translate
one network protocol into another, thus overcoming both hardware
and software incompatibilities.
 The Internet

The Internet is a giant world

wide network that connects the
Computer systems located
throughout the world that are
willing to share their resources.
 The Internet

The Internet is
Network of Networks
The Internet is a Client /Server system

• Not centralized
• Can be login to another Computer
• Public Domain Site
• Web servers
• Mail servers
 Internet Facilities

• Electronic Mail (E-Mail)

• Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce)
• Tele Medicine
• Teleconferencing
• Internet Shopping
• Tele Education
• HTML (Hyper Text Mark Up Language)

• HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

 World Wide Web -WWW
* Website * Home Page
 Internet Service Providers ( ISP )

• Lanka Internet Service Ltd

• Sri Lanka Telecom

• ITMIN Internet Service Ltd
• Pan Lanka Networking (pvt) Ltd
• Ceycom Global Communications Ltd
• Eureka Online
 Intranet
A privately maintained computer network that can
be accessed only by authorized persons especially
members or employees of the organization that
owns it.
Eg:
Network among branches of a Bank
Network among all schools, Zone, Province and
MOE
Intranet
Advantages of Computer Networks
• Sharing of expensive resources (e.g. A Laser printer,
HDD, Internet)
• Sharing of databases and other software
• Communication among different computer systems
• Transfer of multimedia files
• Entertainment – (Eg. Play multiple-player computer games
from different locations)

• Faster transfer of data

• Back-up your files on multiple computers
Disadvantages of Computer Networks
• Initial cost
• Security of information (viruses, hackers, ..)
• System failures