Topic 12-DATA COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING

DATA COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING
Data communication is the electronic transfer of message.
Elements of data communication

1. Message: This is the information or data to be transmitted.
2. Sender: This is the device/computer that generates and send the message.
3. Receiver: This is the device or computer that receives the message.
4. Medium: This is the channel or path through which the message is sent.
5. Protocol: This is the set of rules that govern communication between computers on a network.
Examples of protocols
1) Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) - an internet protocol for transferring of emails.
2) File Transfer Protocol (FTP): It allows downloading and uploading of files on a network.
3) Internet Protocol (IP) - does the packet forwarding and routing.
4) Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) this defines how messages (data) are sent on a
network.
5) Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): It allows Web browsers and -servers to send and receive Web pages.
Data communication tools

Electronic data communication tools
 Computers  Mobile phones  Internet
Manual communication tools

 Bells  Drums  Messengers
Data transmission media

A Transmission media is the channel or path through which the message is sent.
Types of transmission media
1. Wired or Guided / bounded transmission media
2. Wireless or Unguided or unbound transmission media
Wired or guide transmission media

This is where physical channels (cables) are used to transmit data on a network.
Example include
1. Twisted pair cable
2. Coaxial cables
3. Fibre optic cables.
1. Twisted pair cable.

This consists of eight insulated copper wires twisted in pairs.
2. Coaxial cable
A coaxial is a cable that consists of a single copper wire conductor surrounded by other three layers.
3. Fibre optic cable.

This consists of smooth thin strands of glass or plastic that use light to transmit signals.
2. Unguided / Wireless Or Unbound Transmission Media
These transmit data without using any wire.
Examples:
a) Radio waves
b) Satellite communication
c) Infrared (IR)
Radio waves
This is a wireless transmission that distributes signals through air using electromagnetic waves.
Radio waves include:
1. Blue tooth 2. Micro waves
b) Satellite communication:
A satellite is a space station that receives microwave signals, boasts them and sends them to other earth based
stations.
Applications of communication satellite
1. Television.
2. Radio broadcast.
3. Video conferencing.
4. Global positioning systems
c) Infrared (IR):
This sends signals using light waves. It is used in temperature guns, TV remotes etc.
TRANSMISSION MODES
Types of direction transmission
a) Simplex transmission.
This is the transmission of data in only one direction i.e. from sender to receiver
sender receiver
Examples of simplex transmission include:
 A radio transmission,  Temperature sensors,

 A TV transmission,  fire alarms
 Security systems,  Printing systems
b) Half Duplex Transmission.

This is the transmission of data in both direction but not at the same time.
sender receiver
Examples of half duplex transmission include:
 Fax machines  Credit card verification systems.
 Radio calls (push to talk)  Automatic teller machines (ATM)
c) Full Duplex Transmission.

This is the transmission of data in both directions at the same time. E.g. a regular telephone line.
sender receiver
COMPUTER NETWORKS
A computer network is an interconnection of two or more computers to exchange data and share resources.
Basic requirements for setting up a network

1. Networking hardware
2. Modems
3. Transmission media
4. Networking software
Networking hardware/communication devices

These are the tangible and physical devices used in connecting computers and devices together
Examples:
 Network Interface Card (NIC)  Gateways
 Modems & Codec  A repeater
 Routers  Switches & Hubs
 Bridges
Roles of each networking hardware

• NIC: This provides a physical connection between the computer and the transmission media.
• Repeaters: hardware device which boosts the strength of the signal as it passes along the cable.
• Routers these are devices which determine the best route to send the message .
• Gateway. This connects two networks of different protocols and architecture.
• A network hub: is used to connect computers and other peripheral devices to a network.
• A switch: this receives data and directly forwards to the specified destination only.
• A router: directs or routes network messages across one or more different networks.
• Gateway: this connects two or more networks using different communication protocols.
• A bridge: this connects two networks based on similar technology.
Types of computer networks

1. Local area networks (LAN): This is a network covering small geographical area. E.g. a building office etc.
2. Wide area network (WAN): this is a network covering large geographical area e.g. internet
3. Metropolitan area network (MAN): this is a network that covers a city or town.
4. Personal Area Network(PAN) this covers a few meters around an individual e.g. Bluetooth
5. Campus Area Network(CAN) this covers only a single campus e.g. school, university
Advantages of installing a computer network

1. It allows sharing of hardware eg printers.
2. It allows sharing of software between computers, hence reducing costs.
3. It allows sharing of data and information.
4. Allows communications between people e.g. through e-mail, phones, e.t.c.
5. Security of Files and programs by use of passwords to restrict access by users.
6. It allows sharing databases eg in banks.
7. Provides for online employment e.g. telecommuting.
8. Speed. Networks provide a very fast way of transferring files.
COMPUTER NETWORK MODELS

1. Peer to peer. This is where computers on the network have equal rights to share information i.e. no server
needed
2. Client server model. This is where computers on the network are connected on the server.
NB: A server is a computer that provides services to the client computers on the network.
A client is a computer that receives services from the server.
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
This is the way in which computers & other devices are arranged on the network.
Topology can be viewed into two ways i.e.;

a) Logical topology b) Physical topology
Logical /signal topology

This deals with the way data moves from one device to the next on the network.
Physical topology
This refers to the physical layout or arrangement of components on the network.
Types of physical topology.

Bus topology:
This is a network topology where all devices are connected to single linear cable called a bus or the backbone.
Advantages of a bus topology

1. Easy to connect a computer or peripherals
2. Requires less cable length than a star topology
3. Cheap and easy to install.
4. Devices can be attached at any point on the bus without disturbing the rest of the network.
5. Failure one device does not affect the rest of the network
Disadvantages of a bus topology

1. If the main cable (back bone) breaks down, the entire network is cut off.
2. It requires terminators to stop signal bouncing.
3. It is difficult to identify the problem when the entire network is shut down.
4. If many computers are attached, the network slows down
2. Ring topology
This is where all computers on a network are connected on a single closed loop cable.
Advantages of a ring topology

1. There is less data collision thus the speed of transmission is fast.
2. Ring topology can cover long distances than bus
4. It is easier to detect a device that has caused the network failure.
5. It is very simple to install
6. Less cable length is required
Disadvantages of a ring topology
1. If the cable fails, the whole network goes down.
2. More difficult to install and troubleshoot the ring.
3. If one node is fails, the whole network is affected.
3. Star topology
This is where all computers and devices are connected to a central hub thus forming a star.
Advantages of a Star topology

1. Easy to install and maintain.
2. Easy to add or remove devices without affecting others.
3. If one device fails, only that device is affected.
4. It is easy to detect and replace faults.
Disadvantages of a Star topology
1. If a hub fails, the entire network is will be down.
2. It is expensive to install because it requires a lot of cables.
3. It takes a lot of time to install.
Hybrid topology/ Extended star/ tree topology:

This is a topology that combines two or more topologies together to form one network. E.g. star, ring and bus.
Disadvantages of a Tree Topology

1. If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.
2. More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.
Mesh topology: this is where all the devices on the network directly connect to each other.
Advantages
1. No traffic since all computers communicate to each other directly

2. In case of failure of one cable the computer uses an alternative route
Disadvantages
1. Wastage of cables
2. Applicable only to a small network

Topic 12-DATA COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Topic 12-DATA COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Topic 12-DATA COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DATA COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING

Data communication is the electronic transfer of message.

Elements of data communication

Data communication tools

Manual communication tools

Data transmission media

Wired or guide transmission media

1. Twisted pair cable.

3. Fibre optic cable.

Radio waves include:

1. Blue tooth 2. Micro waves

 A radio transmission,  Temperature sensors,

b) Half Duplex Transmission.

c) Full Duplex Transmission.

Basic requirements for setting up a network

Networking hardware/communication devices

Roles of each networking hardware

Types of computer networks

Advantages of installing a computer network

COMPUTER NETWORK MODELS

Topology can be viewed into two ways i.e.;

Logical /signal topology

Types of physical topology.

Advantages of a bus topology

Disadvantages of a bus topology

Advantages of a ring topology

Advantages of a Star topology

Hybrid topology/ Extended star/ tree topology:

Disadvantages of a Tree Topology

1. No traffic since all computers communicate to each other directly

You might also like