Communication and Network

1
McGraw-Hill © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2000
 1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS
The term telecommunication means
communication at a distance. The word data
refers to information presented in whatever
form is agreed upon by the parties creating
and using the data. Data communications
are the exchange of data between two devices
via some form of transmission medium such
as a wire cable.

Topics discussed in this

▪ Components
section:
of a data communications
system
▪ Data Flow
1.2
 Figure 1.1 Components of a data communication
system

1.3
 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-
duplex)
■ 1) Simplex: A simplex communication channel

only sends information in one direction.

■ 2) Half duplex: In half duplex mode, data can

be transmitted in both directions on a signal

carrier except not at the same time.
■ 3) Full duplex: A full duplex communication

channel is able to transmit data in both

directions on a signal carrier at the same
time.

1.4
 Examples of Simplex, Half-
duplex, and Full-duplex
■ For example, a radio station usually sends signals to the audience but
never receives signals from them, thus a radio station is a simplex
channel.

■ Walkie-talkie is a typical half duplex device. It has a “push-to-talk”

button which can be used to turn on the transmitter but turn off the
receiver. Therefore, once you push the button, you cannot hear the
person you are talking to but your partner can hear you.

■ Telephone is an example of full duplex , people at both ends of a call

can speak and be heard by each other at the same time because there
are two communication paths between them.

1.5
 Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and
full-duplex)

1.6
 1-2 NETWORKS
A network is a set of devices (often referred
to as nodes) connected by communication
links. A node can be a computer, printer, or
any other device capable of sending and/or
receiving data generated by other nodes on
the network. A link can be a cable, air, optical
fiber, or any medium which can transport a
signal carrying information.
Topics discussed in this
section:
▪ Network Criteria
▪ Physical Structures
▪ Categories of Networks
1.7
 Network
Criteria
■ Performance
■ Depends on Network Elements
■ Measured in terms of Delay and Throughput
■ Reliability
■ Failure rate of network components
■ Measured in terms of availability/robustness
■ Security
■ Data protection against corruption/loss of data due
to:
■ Errors
■ Malicious users

1.8
 Physical
Structures
■ Type of Connection
■ Point to Point - single transmitter and receiver
■ Multipoint - multiple recipients of single
transmission
■ Physical Topology
■ Connection of devices
■ Type of transmission - unicast, multi cast, broadcast

1.9
 Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-point and
multipoint

1.10
 ■ Figure 1.4 Connection of devices
Categories of topology

1.11
 Mesh topology
• In a mesh network topology, each of the network
node, computer and other devices, are
interconnected with one another. Every node not
only sends its own signals but also relays data from
other nodes. In fact a true mesh topology is the
one where every node is connected to every other
node in the network. This type of topology is very
expensive as there are many redundant
connections, thus it is not mostly used in computer
networks. It is commonly used in wireless
networks.

1.12
 Mesh topology
Advantages Disadvantages

■ Each connection can ■ Installation and

carry its own data configuration is
load. difficult.
■ It is robust. ■ Cabling cost is more.
■ Fault is diagnosed ■ Bulk wiring is
easily. required.
■ Provides security
and privacy.
1.13
 Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh topology
(five devices)

1.14
 Bus Topology
• Bus Topology is the simplest of network topologies. In this type of
topology, all the nodes (computers as well as servers) are connected to
the single cable (called bus), by the help of interface connectors. This
central cable is the backbone of the network and is known as Bus (thus
the name). Every workstation communicates with the other device
through this Bus.

A signal from the source is broadcasted and it travels to all

workstations connected to bus cable. Although the message is
broadcasted but only the intended recipient, whose MAC address or IP
address matches, accepts it. If the MAC /IP address of machine doesn’t
match with the intended address, machine discards the signal.

1.15
 Bus Topology
Advantages
■ It is cost effective.
■ Cable required is least
compared to other
network topology.
■ Used in small networks.
■ It is easy to understand.
■ Easy to expand joining
two cables together.
1.16
Disadvantages
■ Cables fails then whole
network fails.
■ If network traffic is heavy or
nodes are more the
performance of the network
decreases.
■ Cable has a limited length.
■ It is slower than the ring
topology.
 Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting three
stations

1.17
 Star topology
• In Star topology, all the components of network are connected to the
central device called “hub” which may be a hub, a router or a switch.
Unlike Bus topology (discussed earlier), where nodes were connected
to central cable, here all the workstations are connected to central
device with a point-to-point connection. So it can be said that every
computer is indirectly connected to every other node by the help of
“hub”.
• Hub acts as a junction to connect different nodes present in Star
Network, and at the same time it manages and controls whole of the
network. Depending on which central device is used, “hub” can act as
repeater or signal booster. Central device can also communicate with
other hubs of different network.

1.18
 Star topology
Advantages
■ Fast performance with few
nodes and low network
traffic.
■ Hub can be upgraded easily.
■ Easy to troubleshoot.
■ Easy to setup and modify.
■ Only that node is affected
which has failed, rest of the
nodes can work smoothly.
1.19
Disadvantages
■ Cost of installation is high.
■ Expensive to use.
■ If the hub fails then the whole
network is stopped because all
the nodes depend on the hub.
■ Performance is based on the
hub that is it depends on its
capacity
 Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four
stations

1.20
 Ring Topology
• In Ring Topology, all the nodes are connected to each-other in such a
way that they make a closed loop. Each workstation is connected to
two other components on either side, and it communicates with these
two adjacent neighbors. Data travels around the network, in one
direction.

• In telecommunications, a repeater is an electronic device that receives

a signal and retransmits it. Repeaters are used to extend transmissions
so that the signal can cover longer distances or be received on the
other side of an obstruction.

1.21
 Ring Topology
Advantages Disadvantages

■ Transmitting network is ■ Troubleshooting is

not affected by high difficult in ring topology.
traffic or by adding ■ Adding or deleting the
more nodes, as only computers disturbs the
the nodes having network activity.
tokens can transmit ■ Failure of one computer
data. disturbs the whole
■ Cheap to install and network.
expand ■

1.22
 Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six
stations

1.23
 Tree OR HYBRID Topology
• Tree Topology integrates the characteristics of Star and bus topology .
Earlier we saw how in Physical Star network Topology, computers
(nodes) are connected by each other through central hub. And we also
saw in Bus Topology, work station devices are connected by the
common cable called Bus. After understanding these two network
configurations, we can understand tree topology better. In Tree
Topology, the number of Star networks are connected using Bus. This
main cable seems like a main stem of a tree, and other star networks as
the branches. It is also called Expanded Star Topology.

1.24
 Tree Topology
Advantages Disadvantages

■ Extension of bus and ■ Heavily cabled.

star topologies. ■ Costly.
■ Expansion of nodes is ■ If more nodes are
possible and easy. added maintenance is
■ Easily managed and difficult.
maintained. ■ Central hub fails,
■ Error detection is easily network fails.
done.

1.25
 Figure 1.9 A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus
networks

1.26