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Communications
Communication is the transfer of information from
one place to another. It may be manual – one
person talks to another. Or it may be mechanical or
electronic gadget or device.
The process of communication involves the
following three basic components:
Sender-the component from which information is
transferred.
Receiver –the component to which information is
transferred.
Medium/channel-the component through which
information transferred.
Protocols – a set of rules that defines the should be
followed for a communication
Mode of transmission
Sende
Receiver
r
Half-duplex transmission
Transmission is possible in both directions but only
one way at a time i.e. both stations may transmit,
but only one at a time.
It is possible to perform error detection and request
the sender to retransmit information that arrived
corrupted.
E.g. Police radio (wacky talky) or talk back radio
Full-duplex transmission
Examples:
Two computers connected by a cable in an office
100s of computers in a corporation
LAN network
Wide Area Network (WAN)
LAN could not support the needs of large business and other
communities adequately whose offices and connections were
spread over a wide area.
This led to the development of Wide Area Network. Such a
Network is spread over cities, states or countries.
Here a physical cable spreading is not possible. So
communication in this Network takes place via telephone lines,
satellites, and microwave links.
No geographical limit
of the world
Examples:
known as peers)
Each computer functions as both a client and a
server
No overall network administrator
will share
Typically used for 10 users or less
Disadvantages
Decentralized – No central repository
Other equipment
Summary: Client-Server Networks
Server (s) dedicated to providing particular
resources, e.g. File server, print server, mail
server, etc.
Single administrator to provide security
privileges to users.
Typically used for >10 users.
More complex to install & maintain.
Specialized server software required.
The most common type of network.
Advantages
Centralized – Resources and data security are
controlled through the server. More over it offers
extensive security.
Flexibility – New technologies can be easily
integrated to the system.
If a Network has to serve a large number of clients
and they are dispersed, a server based network is
feasible.
Disadvantages
High initial expense.
Maintenance – Large networks will require a staff to
ensure efficient operation.
Dependence – When the server goes down,
operations will fail across the network.
Network Topology
The term network topology refers to the shape of how the
computers and other network components are connected to each
other.
It is the arrangement or physical layout of computers, cables,
and other components on the network.
Topology also determines how computers communicate on the
network.
Topology also implies a number of conditions.
For example, a particular topology can determine not only the
type of cable used but also how the cable is run through floors
and walls. It can also determine how the computers
communicate on the network. Different topologies require
different communication methods.
Determining which topology needs for the
network depends on several factors such as:
Network budget
Network size
Level of security required
Physical layout
Type of business or organizations etc
Types of Network topologies:
An 24 port switch
Signals are transmitted from the sending computer
through the hub to all computers on the network.
Bus -Use of cable is economical. -Network can slow down in heavy traffic.
-Media is inexpensive and easy to -Problems are difficult to isolate.
work with. -Cable break can affect many users.
-System is simple and reliable.
-Bus is easy to extend.
Ring -System provides equal access for -Failureof one computer can affect the rest of
all computers. the network.
-Performance is even despite many -Problems are hard to isolate.
Star -Modifying system and adding new -Ifthe centralized point fails, the network
computers is easy. fails.
-Failure of one computer does not