Computer Networks

What is a network?

- a network is a group of two or

more computer systems linked
together.
 Telecommunication- is the sending
of information in any form from one place
to another using electronic or light
emitting media.

Data communications- is a more

specific term that describes the
transmitting and receiving of data over
communication links between one or more
computer systems and a variety of
input/output terminals.
 Generally a communications network
is any arrangement where a sender
transmits a message to a receiver over a
channel consisting of some type of
medium.

Terminal- is any input/ output device that

uses a network to transmit or receive
data.
Communication Media

channels also called communication

lines or links are the means by which
data is transmitted between the sending
and receiving devices in a network. A
channel makes use of a variety of
media includes twisted pair wire, coaxial
cable, fiber optics cables, microwave
system, communication satellites, etc.
 Twisted-pair wire
The oldest and still most common
transmission line and consists of copper
wires twisted into pairs.

Coaxial Cable
coaxial cables consisting of a sturdy
copper or alum inum wire
wrapped with spacers to insulate and
protect it. The insulation minimizes the
interference and distortion of the
signals the cable carries.
 Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber optics use cables consisting of one
or more hair-tin filaments of glass fiber
wrapped in a protective jacket. They can
conduct light pulses generated by laser at
transmission rates as high as 2 billion bits
per second.
+ Fiber optics cables provide substantial size and weight
reduction as well as increased speed and greater carrying
capacity.
Fiber optic cables are not affected by and do not
generate electromagnetic radiation, therefore, multiple fibers
can be placed in the same cable.
Fiber optic cables have a minimal need for repeaters for
signal retransmissions, unlike electrical wire media, Fiber optics
also has a much lower data error rate than other media.
 Microwave Systems

Microwave systems transmit

high-speed radio signals in a
line- of-sight path between
relay stations spaced approxi-
mately 25 to 35 miles apart.

Microwave transmission consists of high

frequency radio waves that travel in straight
lines through the air rather than through
wires.
 + Communications Satellite

Communication satellites in
space orbiting 22,000 miles
above the earth, are also used
as microwave relay stations
because they rotate at the
precise point and speed above
the equator that makes them
appear stationary to microwave transmitters
on the ground.
END
Among the 5 different
types of communication
media, which preferred you
most? Why?