Data Communication and Networking

Introduction

Data Communication: movements of the computer information from one point to another by means of
electrical or optical transmission systems called networks.

Improve day-to-day control a business by providing faster information flow

Networks also allow their user to interact using e-mail, chat and video streaming.

What is the meant by the term data communication?

Communications or telecommunication, refer to the transfer of data from a transmitter- also called a
sender or a source-to a receiver-also called a sink-across a distance (tele from ancient Greek) meaning
“for-off”. Some form of electromagnetic energy-electricity, radio or light is used to represent the data
which transmitted through physical medium – for example, wire, cable or the atmosphere.
Additionally, some number of intermediate devices is often involved to set up a path for the data
transfer and to maintain adequate signal strength. The data transmitted can be voice, text, images,
sound or a combination of these (multimedia).

We also can define data communications as the subset of telecommunications involving the
transmission of data to and from computer and components of computer systems. More specifically,
data communications is the transmission of data through a conducted medium such as wire/cable or
by the use radiated electromagnetic waves such as broadcast radio, infrared light and microwaves.

Essential features of communication

Data communication has several important features.

Communication of any type required:

a) A message b) A sender c) A receiver d) A medium

In addition, the message should be understandable and there should be some means of error detection.

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Signal and their Characteristics

Signals and electromagnetic representation of data.

Data is transmitted by two types of signals, each required different kind of communication techniques.

Two types of signal

Analog Digital

The normal way to transmit information through a medium is to vary an electromagnetic or electrical
signal at transmitting end by some means, and detect these varying signals at the receiver end.

Transmission: the communication of data by propagation or processing of signals.

Analog Signals: Continuous Waves

Telephone, radio, and television- the older forms of communication technique were designer to work
with analog signals.

An analog signal is a continues

electrical signal in the form of a
wave called a carrier wave

Period = t = 1/f

2 characteristics of analog carrier waves that can be altered are frequency and amplitude.

Frequency: no. of times a wave repeats during a specific time interval that is, how many times it
completes a cycle in a second. Frequency measured in hertz (Hz).

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Amplitude: the height of a wave within a given period time. It is actually the strength or volume- the
loudness of a signal. Amplitude is measured in volts

Period(T): amount of time it takes for one repetition on T = 1/f

Digital Signals: Discrete Waves

We know that a digital signal uses on/off or present/absent electrical pushes in a discontinuous or
discrete, rather than a continuous waves.

The two-state kind of signal represents

the two-state binary language of 0 and 1s
that computer use. That is, the presence of
an electrical pulse can represent as 1 bit
its absence as 0 bit

Period = t = 1/f

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 Computer Networking
What is computer Network?

 According to Wikipedia, a computer network is an interconnection of a group of computers

 Networks can range in size from a simple two-computer link to the world-spanning internet
 Generally speaking the connections are physical, requiring some combination of cables, hubs
and switches, network cards, modems and so on. Wireless networks exist, even these require
networking hardware.

Purpose of computer networks

The purposes of network vary as much as the uses of networks. In general, networks are created to
share resources including

 Data –such as document, email messages, and digital pictures

 Devices-printers, scanners and hard drives
 Services-authentication of email and other messaging methods and database management
system

Advantages of computer networks

Following are some major advantages of computer networks

1. File sharing

Computer networks allow file sharing and remote file access. It is a method of distribution of digital
stored information like multimedia, computer programs, documents, etc.

2. Resources Sharing

Resources sharing are another benefit of a computer network. For example, 20 computers can be
interconnected, using a network, and just with one modem and one printer can efficiently provide the
services to all 20 members

3. Increased storage capacity

A standalone computer might fall short of storage memory, but when many computers are on a
network, memory of different computers can be used in such case. One can also design a storage
server on the network in order to have a huge storage capacity.

4. Increased cost efficiency

There is much software available in the market which is costly and takes time for installation.
Computer networks resolve this issue as the software can be stored or installed on a server and can be
used by the different workstation.

Disadvantages of computer networks

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Following are some major disadvantages od computer networks

1. Security issues

One of the major downside of computer networks is the security issues involved

If a computer is a standalone, physical access becomes necessary for any kind of data theft.

If a computer is on a network, a computer hacker can get authorised access by using different tools.

In case of big organisations, various network security software are used to prevent the theft of any
confidential and classified data.

Network security is a means to protect an underlying computer networks infrastructure from

unauthorised access. It is done by the network administrator and includes continuous monitoring and
evaluation of its effectiveness.

2. Rapid Spread of Computer Viruses

If any computer system in a network gets affected by computer virus, there is a possible threat of
other systems getting affected too. Viruses get spread on a network easily because of the
interconnectivity of workstation. Such spread can be dangerous if the computer have important
database which can get corrupted by the virus.

3. Expensive Set Up

The initial set up cost of a computer networks can be high depending on the number of computers to
be connected. Additional devices like routers, switches, hubs, etc. can be very pricey.

4. Dependency on the Main File Server

In case the main File Server of a computer network breaks down, the system becomes useless. In case
of big networks, the File Server should be a powerful computer, which often makes it expensive

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Components of a network
There are three basic hardware components for a computer network:

 A server or host computer

 Microcomputer, mainframe, etc.
 A client
 Microcomputer, terminal, etc.
 A circuit over which messages flow
 Modem, cable, etc.

The server stores data or software that can be access by the clients.

The client is the input/output device at the user’s end of communication circuit. It typically provides
users with access to the network and the data and software on the server

The circuit is the pathway through which the messages travel. It is typically a copper wire, although
fiber optic cable and wireless transmission are becoming more common

Types of Networks according to Scale

 Personal Area Network(PAN)

 Local Area Network(LAN)
o Wireless local area network(WLAN)
o Small office/ home office(SOHO)
 Campus Area Network(CAN)
 Metropolitan Area network(MAN)
 Wide Area Network(WAN)

PERSONAL AREA NETWORK

 Devices such as computers, telephone, and personal digital assistances(PDAs)

 Typically within few meters
 May be wired with computer buses such as USB and FireWire or wireless using IrDA and
Bluetooth

LOCAL AREA NETWORK

 Covering area like home, office or groups of buildings

 Most likely to be based on Ethernet running at 10,100 or 1000 mbps or on Wi-Fi technology

CAMPUS AREA NETWORK

 Spread over a limited geographical area, specific to academic setting

 An interconnection of LANs and a form of WAN

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS

 Connect LANs and backbones located in different areas to each other

 Typically span form 3 to 30 miles

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  More commonly, organisations use public data networks provided by common carriers.

WIDE AREA NETWORKS

 Spans hundreds or thousands of miles

 Provide data transmission rate from 56Kbps to 10Gbps
 Usually don’t own WANs by laying cable, building microwave towers or sending satellites.
Instead lease circuit from inter exchange carriers.

LAN CATEGORIES

In LAN systems, there are two main types of network categories which are:

 Server based
 Peer-to-peer

In a server based network:

 Computers (servers) set up to be primary providers of services such as file service or mail
service
 Need to use a network operating system of NOS. Network operating system provide
management and security features that are not found in desktop system

In peer-to-peer based networks

 Various computer on the network can act both as clients and servers
 Many Microsoft Windows based computer allow file and print sharing. These computers can
act both as a client and a server and are also referred to as peers.
 Lacks the security and management features that server provide
 Many networks are combination peer-to-peer and server based networks

Internet and beyond

The internet is the largest network of all

 The internet has become a major communication highway for millions of users
 It is a decentralised system of link networks that are worldwide in scope
 It facilitates data communication services such as remote log-in, file transfer, electronic mail,
the World Wide Web and newsgroups
 Internet websites now provide personal, educational, political and economic resources to
virtually any point on the planet

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Intranet
 With advancements in browser-based software for the internet, many private organisation
have implemented intranets
 An intranet is a private network utilizing internet-type tools, but available only within that
organisation
 For large organisation, an intranet provides easy access to corporate information for
designated employees.

Extranet
 While an intranet is used to disseminate information within a corporation, an extranet id
commonly used by companies to share data in a secure fashion with their business partner
 Internet-type tolls are used by content providers to update the extranet
 Encryption and user authentication means are provided to protect the information, and to
ensure that designated people with the proper access privileges are allowed to view it.

Types of LAN Technology

 Ethernet. Fast Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet
 Asynchronous Transfer mode (ATM)
 Token Ring

Name IEEE Standard Data Rate Maximum Distance

Ethernet 802.3 10 mbps 100 m

Fast Ethernet/ 802.3u 100mbps 100m – 2000m

100Base-t
Gigabit 802.3z 1000mbps 100m – 5000m
Ethernet/GigE
10 Gigabit 802.3ae 10gbps 300m-40km
Ethernet

Ethernet

 The term Ethernet refers to the family local-area network (LAN) products covered by the
IEEE 802.3 standard
 Ethernet features high speeds, robustness (i.e., high reliability), low cost and adaptability to
new technologies. These features have helped it maintain its popularity despite being one of
the oldest of the LAN technologies
 A key feature of Ethernet is the breaking data into packets, also referred to as frames, which
are then transmitted using the CSMA/CD (carrier sense multiple access/collision detection)
protocol until they arrive at the destination without colliding with any other packets.

Ethernet media

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An important part of designing and installing an Ethernet is selecting the appropriate Ethernet
medium

There are 4 major types of media in use today;

 Thickwire for 10BASE5 networks;

 Thin coax for 10BASE2 networks;
 Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) for 10BASE-T networks; and
 Fiber optic for 10BASE-FL or Fiber Optic Inter-Repeater Link (FOIRL) networks

Ethernet media

This wide variety of media reflects the evolution of Ethernet and also points to the technology’s
flexibility

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It is important to note that each type of Ethernet, fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet,
has its own preferred media type

Cable name Makeup Frequency Data rate Network

support compatibility
4 twisted pairs of ATM, Token
copper wire – Ring, 1000Base-
Cat-5 100 MHz Up to 1000mbps
terminated by T, 100Base-TX,
RJ45 connectors 10Base-T
4 twisted pairs of 1000Base-T,
copper wire – 100Base-TX,
Cat – 5e 100 MHz Up to 1000mbps
terminated by 10Base-T
RJ45 connectors
4 twisted pairs of 1000Base-T,
copper wire – 100Base-TX,
Cat-6 250MHz 1000mbps
terminated by 10Base-T
RJ45 connectors

Ethernet Network Elements

Ethernet LANs consists of network codes and interconnecting media. The network nodes fall into two
major classes:

Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)

Device that is either the source or the destination of data frames. DTEs are typically devices such as
PCs, workstations, fileserver, or print server that, as a group, are all often referred to as end stations

Data communication Equipment (DCE)

Intermediate network is a device that receive and forward frames across the network. DCEs may be
either standalone devices such as repeaters, network switches and routers, or communication interface
units such as interface cards and modems.

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