DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK (DCN 101)

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Hardware and Software

 Transmission of information - Media -Topology - Coding - Access techniques
-subnetting

2. Hardware: MODEMs repeaters, communication

controllers
 Management of communication in a network - Synchronization - Errors control -
Flow control - Routing -Addressing - Switching
 Architecture: - Concept of layers -Concept of service - Protocols - OSI model – Other
standards - Services intended for inter operation of the systems - Data representation
– Calls of remote procedures
 Criteria used to choose a network (characteristics, organization, services offered etc)
 LAN: Ethernet, Token ring
 Public networks (PSTN etc)
 High data rate networks
3. Transmission problems encountered in a Network

IP Addressing and subnetting

1. Interconnection of networks
2. Specifications of a network
3. Installation and configuration of a network
4. Splitting of a network
5. Networks in industries and enterprises
6. Usage of network applications: messaging, transfer of files etc
6. Services of network administration
7. Surveillance and security of a network

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1.1INTRODUCTION
The main objective of data communication and networking is to enable seamless exchange of
data between any two points in the world. This exchange of data takes place over a computer
network. A computer network is the interconnection of two or more computers together for the
purpose of communication and the sharing of resources.

1.2 DATA & INFORMATION

Data refers to the raw facts that are collected while information refers to processed data that
enables us to take decisions. Ex. When result of a particular test is declared it contains data
of all students, when you find the marks you have scored you have the information that lets
you know whether you have passed or failed.
The word data refers to any information which is presented in a form that is agreed and accepted
upon by its creators and users.

1.3 DATA COMMUNICATION

Data Communication is a process of exchanging data or information between two or more
points. In the case of computer networks this exchange is done between two devices over a
transmission medium.
This process involves a communication system which is made up of hardware and software.
The hardware part involves the sender and receiver devices and the intermediate devices
through which the data passes. The software part involves certain rules which specify what is
to be communicated, how it is to be communicated and when. It is also called as a Protocol.
The following sections describes the fundamental characteristics that are important for the
effective working of data communication process and is followed by the components that
make up a data communications system.

1.3.1 Characteristics of Data Communication

The effectiveness of any data communications system depends
upon the following four fundamental characteristics:
 Delivery: The data should be delivered to the correct destination and correct user.
 Accuracy: The communication system should deliver the data accurately, without
introducing any errors. The data may get corrupted during transmission affecting the
accuracy of the delivered data.
 Timeliness: Audio and Video data has to be delivered in a timely manner without any
delay; such a data delivery is called real time transmission of data.
 Jitter: It is the variation in the packet arrival time. Uneven Jitter may affect the
timeliness of data being transmitted.

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1.3.2 Components of Data Communication
A Data Communication system has five components as shown in the diagram below:

Fig 1. Components of a Data Communication System

i. The Message: Message is the information to be communicated by the sender to the

receiver.
ii. The Sender: The sender is any device that is capable of sending the data(message).
iii. Receiver: The receiver is a device that the sender wants to communicate the data.
iv. Transmission Medium: It is the path by which the message travels from sender to
receiver. It can be wired or wireless and many subtypes in both.
v. Protocol: It is an agreed upon set of rules used by the sender and receiver to
communicate data. A protocol is a set of rules that governs data communication. A Protocol
is a necessity in data communications.

1.4 DATA REPRESENTATION

Data is collection of raw facts which is processed to deduce information. Data can be
represented in different forms as seen below.
i. Text: Text includes combination of alphabets in small case as well as upper case.
It is stored as a pattern of bits. Prevalent encoding system :ASCII, Unicode
ii. Numbers: Numbers include combination of digits from 0 to 9. It is stored as a pattern
of bits. Prevalent encoding system :ASCII, Unicode
iii. Images: In computers images are digitally stored. A Pixel is the smallest element of
an image. To put it in simple terms, a picture or image is a matrix of pixel elements. The
pixels are represented in the form of bits. Depending upon the type of image (black n
white or color) each pixel would require different number of bits to represent the value of
a pixel. Commonly used Image formats : jpg, png, bmp, etc
iv. Audio/Video
Data can also be in the form of sound or pictures which can be recorded and broadcasted.

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1.5 DATA FLOW
Devices communicate with each other by sending and receiving data. The data can flow
between the two devices in the following ways.
1. Simplex
2. Half Duplex
3. Full Duplex

1.5.1 Simplex: In Simplex, communication is unidirectional, only one of the devices

sends the data and the other one only receives the data. eg in the diagram: a cpu send data
while a monitor only receives data.

Figure 2: Simplex mode of communication

1.5.2 Half Duplex: In half duplex both the stations can transmit as well as receive but not
at the same time. When one device is sending other can only receive and vice versa
Example: A walkie-talkie.

Figure3: Half Duplex Mode of Communication

1.5.3 Full Duplex: In Full duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive at the
same time. Example: mobile phones

Figure: Full Duplex Mode of Communication

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2. COMPUTER NETWORK

INTRODUCTION
A computer network can be defined as a collection of nodes. A node can be any device capable
of transmitting or receiving data. The communicating nodes have to be connected by
communication links. A Compute network should ensure reliability, security of the data
communication process and performance by achieving higher throughput and smaller delay
times.

Advantages of Computer Networking

 It enhances communication and availability of information. Networking,
especially with full access to the web, allows ways of communication. Instant
messaging can now allow users to talk in real time and send files to other people
wherever they are in the world, which is a huge boon for businesses. Also, it allows
access to a vast amount of useful information, including traditional reference materials
and timely facts, such as news and current events.
 It allows for more convenient resource sharing. This benefit is very important,
particularly for larger companies that really need to produce huge numbers of resources
to be shared to all the people. Since the technology involves computer-based work, it
is assured that the resources they wanted to get across would be completely shared by
connecting to a computer network which their audience is also using.
 It makes file sharing easier. Computer networking allows easier accessibility for
people to share their files, which greatly helps them with saving more time and effort,
since they could do file sharing more accordingly and effectively.
 It is highly flexible. This technology is known to be very flexible, as it gives users the
opportunity to explore everything about essential things, such as software without
affecting their functionality, people will have the accessibility to all information they
need to get and share.
 It is an inexpensive system. Installing networking software on your device would not
cost too much, as you are assured that it lasts and can effectively share information to
your peers. Also, there is no need to change the software regularly.
 It increases cost efficiency. With computer networking, you can use a lot of software
products available on the market which can just be stored or installed in your system
or server, and can then be used by various workstations.
 It boosts storage capacity. Since you are going to share information, files and
resources to other people, you have to ensure all data and content are properly stored
in the system. With this networking technology, you can do all of this without any
hassle, while having all the space you need for storage.

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Disadvantages of Computer Networking
 It lacks independence. Computer networking involves a process that is operated using
computers, so people will be relying more on computer work, instead of exerting an
effort for their tasks at hand. Aside from this, they will be dependent on the main file
server, which means that, if it breaks down, the system would become useless, making
users idle.
 It poses security difficulties. Because there would be a huge number of people who
would be using a computer network to get and share some of their files and resources,
a certain user’s security would be always at risk. There might even be illegal activities
that would occur, which you need to be careful about and aware of.
 It lacks robustness. As previously stated, if a computer network’s main server breaks
down, the entire system would become useless. Also, if it has a bridging device or a
central linking server that fails, the entire network would also come to a standstill. To
deal with these problems, huge networks should have a powerful computer to serve as
file server to make setting up and maintaining the network easier.
 It facilitates the spread of computer viruses and malware. There would be instances
that stored files are corrupt due to computer viruses. Thus, network administrators
should conduct regular check-ups on the system, and the stored files at the same time.
 It requires an efficient handler. For a computer network to work efficiently and
optimally, it requires high technical skills and know-how of its operations and
administration. A person just having basic skills cannot do this job. Take note that the
responsibility to handle such a system is high, as allotting permissions and passwords
can be daunting. Similarly, network configuration and connection is very tedious and
cannot be done by an average technician who does not have advanced knowledge.
 It requires an expensive set-up. Though computer networks are said to be an
inexpensive system when it is already running, its initial set up cost can still be high
depending on the number of computers to be connected. Expensive devices, such as
routers, switches, hubs, etc., can add up to the cost. Aside from these, it would also
need network interface cards (NICs) for workstations in case they are not built-
in.

TYPES OF NETWORK.

We differentiate the types of computer networks based on the area they span. Some network
nodes are separated by small distance, which might increase until the whole globe is spanned.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

This is a smallest network which ranges up to 10 meters for Bluetooth enabled devices and
infra-red communicating devices. Let us talk of mobile phones sharing files through Bluetooth
placed on a table, wireless mice and keyboard.

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Local Area Network (LAN)
This is a network spanning a building or an organization working in one place. Talk of a
university network, or a hospital network; this spans an organization in one location. Both
wireless and wired media can be media of communication.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

This is an extended local area network where local area networks located in different locations
under one organization can be connected. We take the context of a bank that has branches in a
city. MAN spans some few city blocks or entire city.

Wide Area Networks (WAN)

This is a network that extends over a large geographical location it is always bigger than MAN,
to the level of connecting a country. WANs connected together form an internetwork which is
network of networks. The widest WAN on the planet is the internet.

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NETWORK TOPOLOGY.
Network topology refers to the arrangement of nodes over the network. The diagram below
shows the different topologies.

Different computer network topologies

Peer to Peer topology is when a node is seen by another node as if it is connected directly.
There might be some intermediate devices but each node on either side is unaware of
intermediate layers.

Bus topology is when there is a single and a common communication channel on which all
nodes are connected with terminators on both ends to absorb signals as they reach there.

Star topology is the arrangement of nodes where there is central node from which all other
nodes are connected from.

Ring topology is the sequence of all nodes connected, one gets connection from the
preceding node and the first node is the last node which makes a cycle (ring).

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Tree topology is the arrangement of nodes based on levels or layers. There is always one node
at button of the network (root node), below this level is another level of nodes (which all share
the same parent), and below each of those nodes are other nodes. At each level there is one root
node where with its children they form a star topology.

Mesh topology is the arrangement of nodes in such a way that each node in the network is
connected to the rest of other nodes.

Hybrid topology this is implementation of two or more topologies together to form a result
network.

Network protocol
A Protocol is one of the components of a data communications system. Without protocol
communication cannot occur. The sending device cannot just send the data and expect the
receiving device to receive and further interpret it correctly.
When the sender sends a message it may consist of text,
number, images, etc. which are converted into bits and grouped into blocks to be transmitted

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and often certain additional information called control information is also added to help the
receiver interpret the data. For successful communication to occur, the sender and receiver
must agree upon certain rules called protocol.
A Protocol is defined as a set of rules that governs data communications. A protocol defines
what is to be communicated, how it is to be communicated and when it is to be
communicated.

Elements of a Protocol
There are three key elements of a protocol:
A. Syntax: It means the structure or format of the data. It is the arrangement of data in a
particular order.
B. Semantics: It tells the meaning of each section of bits and indicates the interpretation of
each section. It also tells what action/decision is to be taken based on the interpretation.
C. Timing: It tells the sender about the readiness of the receiver to receive the data It tells the
sender at what rate the data should be sent to the receiver to avoid overwhelming the receiver.

STANDARDS IN NETWORKING
Standards are necessary in networking to ensure interconnectivity and interoperability
between various networking hardware and software components. Without standards we
would have proprietary products creating isolated islands of users which cannot interconnect.

Concept of Standard
Standards provide guidelines to product manufacturers and vendors to ensure national and
international interconnectivity.
Data communications standards are classified into two categories:
1. De facto Standard
These are the standards that have been traditionally used and mean by fact or by convention.
These standards are not approved by any organized body but are adopted by widespread use.
2. De jure standard
It means by law or by regulation. These standards are legislated and approved by
a body that is officially recognized.

Standard Organizations in field of Networking

1. International Organization for Standardization(ISO)

2. International Telecommunications Union –Telecommunications Standard (ITU-T)
3. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
4. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
5. Electronic Industries Associates (EIA)

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