Data Communication Hardware and Software

Data Communication Hardware

Data communication can be described as the transfer of data from one/more devices to another
for direct use and or further processing using a communication channel. An important aspect of
data communication involves communication devices and communication software.

A communication device is a hardware capable of transmitting data between a sending device

and a receiving device. Common communication devices are:
1. Modem – is short for modulator and demodulator. It is a device used to convert digital
data emitted from the computer in analogue data that can be transmitted over a
telephone line. When the data gets to the other end of the line, a modem converts the
analogue data back to digital data for the computer
2. Router - is a physical or virtual appliance that passes information between two or more
small computer networks to analyze a given data packet's destination IP address, to
calculate the best way for it to reach that destination and then forwarding it
accordingly.
3. Network Interface Card - is a circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that
it can be connected to a network. NICs may be used for both wired and wireless
connections. A NIC is also known as a network interface controller (NIC), network
interface controller card, expansion card, computer circuit board, network card, LAN
card, network adapter or network adapter card (NAC).
4. Hub - is a common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are devices
commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. The hub contains multiple ports. Hubs
serve as a central connection for all network equipment and handles a data type known
as frames. Frames carry your data. When a frame is received, it is amplified and then
transmitted on to the port of the destination PC.
5. Server- A server is a computer, a device or a program that is dedicated to managing
network resources. There are a number of categories of servers, including print
servers, file servers, network servers and database servers. a server often has special
characteristics and capabilities, including:
• The ability to update hardware and software without a restart or reboot.
• Advanced backup capability for frequent backup of critical data.
• Advanced networking performance.
• Automatic (invisible to the user) data transfer between devices.
• High security for resources, data and memory protection.