IT 111: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

DATA COMMUNICATION
AND COMPUTER
NETWORKS
Bigten R. Kikoba
Assistant Lecturer 
Department of Information Systems and Technology
The University of Dodoma 
Contents
 Overview of Telecommunication systems.
 Types of data transmission:
 Modes of data transmission,
 Data traffic flow and co-ordination.
Contents……
 Introduction to computer networks.
 Network topology.
 Types of computer networks.
 Client and Peer to peer LAN Architecture;
 Computer networks hardwires/ accessories.
 Type of computer networks medium
 Why computer need to be networked?
 Network application
Data communication
 Data communication is the transfer or transmission of data/
messages from one point to another.
 The data being transmitted involves text, images, audio, video,
multimedia data.
Basic elements of communication
systems.
 The communication system consists of three basic elements, which
are:-
1. Sender (Source): A sender creates message to be transmitted.
2. Medium: Carries message from source to destination.
3. Receiver (Destination): Receives transmitted message from the
source.
Basic elements of communication
systems.

Medium
Destination/ Receiver
A simplified communications
model
Types of data transmission
 Data transmission can be categorized into two types based on the
number of bits sent simultaneously in the network.
1. Serial (Synchronous and Asynchronous).
2. Parallel
Types of data transmission………
1. PARALLEL DATA TRANSMISSION
 Parallel transmission requires multiple communication lines.
 All bits of data are transmitted simultaneously on separate
communications line.
 In order to transmit n bits, n lines (wires) are used.
 Thus, each bit has it’s own line.
 Parallel transmission is used over a short distance.
Types of data transmission………
2. SERIAL DATA TRANSMISSION
 Serial transmission requires only one communication line to
transmit data.
 In serial, bits of data are transmitted one after another
 Thus, all bits are transmitted on single line in a serial manner.
 It is used over a long distance.
Modes of data transmission
 Transmission mode defines direction of flow of information
between two communication devices.
 Hence, there is three modes of data transmission based on the
direction of exchange of information, which are:-
1. Simplex
2. Half-Duplex
3. Full-Duplex
Modes of data transmission……
1. Simplex
 Is the one in which communication takes place in only one
direction.
 Example broadcast system (Radio and Tv).
2. Half-Duplex
 communication takes place in both directions, but only in one
direction at a time.
 Example Wireless.
3. Full-Duplex: allows information to flow simultaneously in both
directions. Example Telephone.
Modes of data transmission……
 A diagram to describe the modes of transmission
Computer networks
 A computer network is an interconnected group of computers and
computing equipment using either wires or radio waves that can
share data and computing resources.
wireless
 Computer networks that use radio waves are termed

 Node: A device, usually a personal computer connected to

a computer network.
 Topology: A physical layout of a network.
Network topology
 Network Topology: Describes how computers are arranged in a
network.
 The network topology includes:-
 Star topology
Bus topology
Ring topology
Mesh topology
Network topology…….
 Star Topology
 In this topology, each
device (Node) is
connected to a central
device called Hub.
 All devices communicate Hub
through the hub
i.e they can not
communicate to each other
Network topology……
 Star Topology……
In this topology, any connection failure of a node will not affect
the overall system.

But the failure of a Hub will eventually affect the whole network.
Network topology……
 Bus Topology
Bus topology has a single line to
which all other nodes are
attached.
Nodes are connected using a
main cable through drop lines
 if one node fails, does not
affect the rest of the network

Main Cable
Network topology……
 Ring Topology
Each computer is connected
with the two devices on either
side.
Ring network links all nodes in
a circular chain forming a ring
thus called a ring.
 Connection failure of any
device affects whole
system(network).
Network topology……
 Mesh Topology
In mesh topology, each
device is connected to every
other device on the network
through dedicated point-to-
point link.
Each node must be linked or
connected to another.
Network topology……
 Mesh Topology
Since every node must be connected to each other, if a network
has n nodes, the each computer is connected to (n-1) devices.
Number of link (cables) for n computers = n(n-2)/2.
 Hence, it uses a lot of cables.
Types of computer networks
 Depending on the coverage, there are three basic types of network,
which are:-
 Local Area Network (LAN).
 Wide Area Network (WAN).
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
Types of computer networks……
 Local Area Network (LAN).
Is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area
such as a Building or Office.
Or is a kind of a network that cover small/ limited geographical
area.
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
Is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as
State, Country or Continent.
It is quite bigger than LAN
Example Internet.
Types of computer networks……
 MAN
Covers larger geographical area by interconnecting different
LANs to form a larger network.
It is relative larger than LAN but smaller than WAN
i.e it is intermediate.
LAN Architecture
 There are two ways to organize the resources in networking, which
are:-
 Peer to Peer Networking
The one in which group of computers communicate directly with each
other, rather than through a central server
Ring and mesh topology fall under this category.
 Client/ server Networking
The one in which group of computers communicate a central server.
It involves a server, the computer that controls the network
Star topology falls under this category.
Network hardware/accessories
S/N DEVICE NAME DESCRIPTION OR FUNCTION
1 Hub Centralized device that connects multiple devices in a single LAN
2 Switch Just like a Hub, connects multiple devices on a LAN
3 Bridge Divides larger network into smaller segments
4 Router Connect different network segments.

5 Patch panel Used to organize UTP cables Systematically

6 Proxy Hide internal networks from the outside

7 Gateway Forward packets originated from local host, intended for remote
networks.
8 Modem Device that is used to connect to the internet.
9 Network Interface Converts data packets between two different data transmission
Card (NIC) technologies.
Computer network medium
 In Computer networks, the transmission media is broadly classified
into two categories that are
 Guided media and
 Unguided media.

The basic difference between guided and unguided media is that in

the guided media, the signal travels through a physical medium
(Wired) whereas, in unguided media, the signal travel through the
air (Wireless).
Guided media
 Guided transmission media are more commonly known as the
wired communication or bounded transmission media.
 The electromagnetic signals travel between the communicating
devices through a physical medium/conductor. As the medium for
transmission is a physical conductor, it also provides direction to
the signal.
 But there are physical limitations of the conductor in the guided
media. Like the length of the conductor, its installation cost, its
maintenance, etc
Guided media……
 The guided media is categorized further into three categories that
are
twisted-pair cable,
coaxial cable and
fiber-optic cable.
(To be discussed).
Why computer need to be
networked?
 Computer need to be networked due the following reasons:-
1. Sharing of information(i.e Data communication).
2. Sharing of hardware or software (e.g sharing of a printer).
3. Centralize administration and support.
Network application
 Electronic mail
 Voice mail
 Facsimile Technology (FAX)
 E – Commerce
 Instant banking
 Video conferencing etc.
Reading assignment
 In your groups discuss the following questions.

1. Advantages and disadvantages of each network topology

discussed.
2. Distinguish synchronous from asynchronous data transmission
THANKS