Communications and Networks

Communications and Networks

Data communications are the exchange of data between two devices. The success of data communication system depends on four fundamental characteristics Delivery:The system must deliver data to the correct destination. Accuracy:The system must deliver the data accurately. Timeliness: The system must deliver data in a timely manner. Data delivered late are useless. Jitter: Jitter refers to the variation in the arrival time. There should not be variation in arrival time.

COMPONENTS OF DATA COMMUNICATION

Sender: Sender is a transmitting device. It is used to transmit the data from one terminal to another terminal in the network system. Sender may be a user computer or a specially designed computer. Receiver: Receiver is used to receive a data. It may be a user computer or a receiving modem or a receiving multiplexer. Medium: Medium is a communication device through which the signals are transmitted. Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules for two devices to communicate. Communication is not possible without a protocol.

Data Communications Model

1 2 3 4 5 6

Input Information m

Input data g or signal g(t)

Transmitted signal s(t)

Received signal r(t)

Output data g or signal g(t)

Output Information m

Input Device

Transmitter

Transmission medium

Receiver

Output Device

Source System

Destination System

Receiver

Sender

DATA TRANSMISSION MODE (DATA FLOW) Simplex Mode: Simplex mode permits data to flow only in one direction. A terminal connected to such a line is either to send only or receive only device. This mode is generally not used.
One Way Only

Sender Simple Mode

Receiver

Half Duplex Mode In this mode data can be transmitted back and forth between 2 stations, but data can only go in one of the two directions at any given point of time. E.G: Walkie -Talkie
Both Ways, but one way at a time
Sender/Receiver Receiver/Sender

Half Duplex Mode

Full Duplex Mode In this mode data can be Simultaneously send & receive between 2 stations. It is commonly used method.E.G.: Telephone Lines
Both Ways at the same time

Sender & Receiver

Receiver & Sender

Full Duplex Mode

LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) LAN stands for Local Area Network. It links computers & associated devices within restricted geographical areas. It uses cables and Ethernet cards to connect several machines.

The Advantages of a LAN System are: File and data transfer between several computers. Hardware and software resource sharing. Cost saving as a single resource can be shared with several computers. It also helps communication without moving to other desks. Security for programs and data can be achieved. Whole network is completely under the control of one organization.

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN) MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. It is a network that is larger than a LAN. It normally covers the area of a city. Computers within 1 km. area or computers in office, building are internally connected by LAN and then these are connected to the MAN.

Wide Area Networks (WANs)

a few km to thousands of km can include cities, states, countries or even continents Interconnects smaller LANs and MANs point-to-point networks (also called long-haul networks) lower data transmission rate than LANs Can use Satellites & Telephone networks

The Advantages of a WAN System are File and data transfer between several computers. Hardware and software resource sharing. Cost saving as a single resource can be shared with several computers. It also helps communication without moving to other desks. Security for programs and data can be achieved but is costly

LAN v.s WAN

LAN - Local Area Network a group of computers connected within a building or a campus (Example of LAN may consist of computers located on a single floor or a building or it might link all the computers in a small company.

WAN - A network consisting of computers of LAN's connected across a distance WAN can cover small to large distances, using different topologies such as telephone lines, fiber optic cabling, satellite transmissions and microwave transmissions.

 Refers to how the computer or devices are designed in a network Basic types: Centralized using mainframes
Peer-2-Peer: Each computer (peer) has equal responsibilities, capacities, sharing hardware, data, with the other computers on the peer-to-peer network Good for small businesses and home networks Simple and inexpensive

Network Architecture

 Client/Server: All clients must request service from the server & are controlled by server The server is also called a host Different servers perform different tasks: File server, network server, etc.

client

client

client

laser printer

server

Network Structure
Peer to Peer Network Client/Server
Advantages of peer to peer Advantages of client/server network network y This network is suitable for long y Peer to peer network is simple network where more than 10

to operate. y There is no differentiation between client and server. y Useful for small networks.

machines are used. y This network model is more efficient than peer to peer network. y Server is more faster having more disk space. Disadvantages of peer to peer Disadvantages of client/server network network y Not useful for large networks y Client/server network is difficult to (more than 10 computers). install. y Proper security is not available. y Cost of server is more as compared y Administration of Network is to clients. So network is costly as difficult compared to peer to peer network.

Communication Basics of Networks

Twisted-pair cable: Normally consists of four pairs of wires. Individual pairs have two wires that are separately insulated in plastic, then twisted around each other and bound together in a layer of plastic. Except for plastic coating, nothing shields this type of wire from outside interference, so it is also called as unshielded twisted-pair wire. Some twisted-pair wire is enclosed in a metal case and therefore called as shielded twisted-pair wire.
The Computer Continuum

7-17

Communication Basics of Networks

Coaxial cable

Also two wires:

One of the wires is woven of fine strands of copper forming a tube. The wire mesh surrounds a solid copper wire that runs down the center surrounds the first wire, with an insulator between. Space between has a non-conducting material. Makes them more impervious to outside noise.

The Computer Continuum

7-18

Communication Basics of Networks

Fiber-optic cable
It is a thin thread of glass that transmits lively beams of light rather than electric current. Can transmit more information down a single strand.
It can send a wider set of frequencies.

Each cable can send several thousand phone conversations or computer communications.

The Computer Continuum

7-19

Communication Basics of Networks

Second type of connections of computers into networks: Wireless connections
The link is made using electromagnetic energy that goes through space instead of along wires or cables. Three types of wireless communications commonly used in networking:
Infrared Radio frequency Microwave Satellites
The Computer Continuum 7-20

The Physical Organization of Networks Linking nodes:

The ring network Nodes linked together to form a circle. A message sent out from one node is passed along to each node in between until the target node receives the message.
The Computer Continuum 7-21

 The bus network A continuous coaxial cable to which all the devices are attached. All nodes can detect all messages sent along the bus.

The Physical Organization of Networks

The star network Each node is linked to a central node. All messages are routed through the central node, who delivers it to the proper node.
The Computer Continuum 7-23

Linking nodes:

 Mesh Topology: It refers to random arrangement of computers using telecommunication link. In this arrangement each computer & terminal is connected to each other by a dedicated point to point link & thus eliminates routing function.

personal computer

Network Topologies
personal computer personal computer

personal computer

personal computer

personal computer

personal computer

personal computer personal computer host computer

printer file server

Networks Hardware.
Hub
A device that repeats or broadcasts the network stream of information to individual nodes ( usually personal computers) A device that receives packets from its input link, and then sorts them and transmits them over the proper link that connects to the node addressed. A link between two networks that have identical rules of communication. rules of communication.

Switch

Bridge

Gateway A link between two different networks that have different Router
A node that sends network packets in one of many possible directions to get them to their destination.

Hub
Joins Multiple Computers together to form a network. All Comp communicate directly with each other Receives incoming Packets ,amplifies the signal and it repeats or broadcasts these packets out to all devices on the network.

Switch
It is a device that provides a central connection point for cables from nodes, servers and other devices. Used in star topology It receives packets from its input link, and then sorts them and transmits them over the proper link that connects to the node addressed.

Bridge
A link between two networks that have identical rules of communication but topologies can be different.. It monitors information traffic on both sides of the network so that it can pass packets of information to the correct location.

Router
It Translates information from one network to another . A node that sends network packets in one of many possible directions to get them to their destination, they select best path to send a message based on the destination address and origin. In order to connect a LAN to the Internet, we need Router

Network Examples
Public Telephone Network

T-Carrier

ATM

Dedicated Lines

Dail-up

DSL

ISDN

What about Cable Internet Services?

Protocol agreement required between the communication entities and consists of three components:
Syntax: data format and signal levels Semantics: control information for coordination and error handling Timing: speed matching and sequencing