Introduction to Computing

Chapter Five:
Data Communications and Computer Networks

Objectives
 This chapter introduces the student to data communication and computer networks. Data
communication is an exchange of data between two devices via some form of transmission
medium. It is carried with in the collection of computers, which are linked together to share
information and resources.
 The reader also gets familiar with data communication and its components, the transmission
modes, transmission media, modulation and switching techniques.
 Finally the students will be acquainted with different types of network and topologies providing
an overview of various network devices.
5.1. INTRODUCTION
The term communication in simple words means sending or receiving information. With the
advancement in science and technology, various devices were invented for communication. Telegraph
which is invented in Greece was one of the most prevalent ways of data communication in the 19th
century. In 1870, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, which revolutionized the way long
distance communication used to take place. Voice communication became common after the invention
of the telephone. The invention of computer and a major breakthrough in 1950s in setting up a
network of computers was just the beginning of the electronic transfer of information or data
communication. The advancement of computer networks and latter the Internet acted as a boost for
data communication.
5.2. DATA TRANSMISSION
A communication System can be defined as the collection of hardware and software that
facilitates intersystem exchange of information between different devices. When we communicate we
are sharing information. This sharing can be local (face to face communication) or it may be remote
(communication over distance).
Data Communication is the exchange of data between two devices via some form of wired or
wireless transmission medium. It includes the transfer of data, the method of transfer and the
preservation of the data during the transfer process. To initiate data communication, the
communicating devices should be a part of an existing communication system. For data
communication to be effective, the following three fundamental characteristics should be considered.
 Delivery: The system must deliver data to the correct of the intended destination.
 Accuracy: The system must deliver data accurately (error free)
 Timeliness: The system must deliver data in a timely manner without enough time lags.
5.3. DATA COMMUNICATION COMPONENTS
There are five basic components in data communication system:
1. Message: It is the information that is to be communicated.
2. Sender: The sender is the device that sends the message
3. Receiver: The receiver is device that receives the message
4. Medium: The transmission medium is the physical path that communicates the message
from sender to receiver.

Adama University, IT Department 1

 Introduction to Computing
5. Protocol: Protocol refers to a set of rules that coordinates or governs the exchange of
information. Both the sender and receiver should follow the same protocol to
communicate data. Without the protocol, the sender and receiver cannot communicate
with each other; just as a person speaking English cannot be understood by a person
who speaks only Amharic.

The need of information has increased from time to time. This leads to the need of sharing of
information among different agents (individual), which may be at different places or locations. Date
communication is the exchange of information between two or more agents. For exchange of
information the information should be transmitted from one point to another through a transmission
media called Channel. The following figure shows the different components of data communication.

Agents Input Transmi Output

Agents
Transmiss Receiver
device tter device
ion
medium
1 2 3 4 5 6

Source System Destination system

1/ Input information
2/ Input data or signal
3/ Transmitted signal
4/ Received signal
5/ Output data or signal
6/ Output information
Information is transmitted in a form of packets. The sent information is divided into packets and one
packet is transmitted at a time. When a packet of information is transmitted the sender must be sure
that the receiver receives the information and the receiver must check that it receives correct
information. If the Information is transmitted successfully the receiver must send an acknowledgment
to the sender.
5.4. MODE OF TRANSMISSION
The transmission medium may be physical (it connects the sender and receivers through wire) or
logical (The are different mode of transmission)

A. Simplex Transmission:- In this transmission signals (information) are transmitted in only one
direction: One station is sender and the other is receiver.
o Television Transmission can be considered as an example of simplex mode of
transmission where the satellite only transmits the data to the television, vice versa is
not possible.

Sender Receiver

B. Half-duplex Transmission:- In this transmission signals are transmitted in both direction, both
stations may transmit, but only one at a time. When one device is sending, the other can only
receive at that point of time.

Adama University, IT Department 2

 Introduction to Computing
o The most common example of half-duplex transmission is the wireless handsets
(generally used by military personnel) where one user talks at a time and another
listens.
Half Duplex
Sender Receiver
(receiver) (Sender)

C. Full-duplex Transmission:- In this transmission signals transmitted in both direction, both

stations may transmit simultaneously. The medium carries signals in both directions at the
same time. It can be compared to a two way road with traffic flowing in both directions.
o A common example of full duplex transmitting mode is the Telephone network, where
two people communicate over a telephone line; both can talk as well as listen at the
same time.
Full Duplex
Sender Receiver
(receiver) (Sender)

5.5. DATA TRANSMISSION MEDIUM

A medium is a channel that carries a signal from the sender to the receiver. The information or a
signal transmitted from one device to another is through electromagnetic signals. An electromagnetic
signal is the combination of electric and magnetic fields, vibrating in conjugation with each other. The
range of frequencies that can be transmitted over a transmission medium is called Band Width of a
channel width. The rate of data transmission is directly proportional to the bandwidth.

Depending on their bandwidth, we can see three types of data transmission channels:

A) Narrowband: It is the smaller band and has slow data transmission rate Example: Telegraph line.
B) Voice band: It is the wider band and has better data transmission rate than the narrow band.
Example: telephone lines are used for voice band channel
C) Broadband: It is the widest band has used to transmit large volume of data with high speed,
Example: (Oxide cable such as TV Aerial lead), circuits, communications sate bites
and optical fibers are used for broadband channels.

Information is transmitted in the form of analog or digital signals. Most communication lines are
designed to carry analog signals. Digital transmission rarely used for telecommunications.
Therefore, technique must be used to represent a digital signal in analog carrier. The process of
modifying the carrier signal to transmit digital information is called “Modulation.” When the
transmitted signal is received, the information must be reconverted into digital data. This process is
called “Demodulation.” The conversion between digital and analog data is handled using the device
called modem.
Transmission media can be divided in to two broad categories: Guided media and Unguided media.

Adama University, IT Department 3

 Introduction to Computing
5.5.1. Guided Media
Guided transmission Media use a cabling system that guide the data signals along a specific path.
Cabling refers to transmission medium that consists of cable of various metals like Copper, Tin or
Silver. Some of the guided transmission media are twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, and optical fiber
cables.

5.5.1.1. Twisted pair Cable: Pairs of wires are twisted together which are surrounded by
an insulating material and an outer layer called jacket. Each wire consists of a wire, used for
receiving data signal, and a wire used for transmitting data signal. The wires are twisted in order
to reduce noise (unwanted signal) and interference from external sources. Twisted pairs are used
in a short distance communication (less than 100 meters) and they are available in two forms:
Unshielded and Shielded.
A) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable: it is a most common type of telecommunication
medium in use today. It is most suited for both data and voice transmission and hence
commonly used in telephone systems.

B) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable: this cable has a metal foil or braided mesh
covering that covers each pair of insulated conductors. The metal foil is used to prevent
infiltration of electromagnetic noise. This shield also helps to illuminate crosstalk, a
phenomenon that can be experienced during telephone conversation when one can hear
another conversation in the background.

5.5.1.2. Coaxial Cable: unlike twisted pair that have two wires, coaxial cables have a
single central conductor, which is made up of solid wire (usually copper). This conductor is
surrounded by an insulator over which a sleeve of metal mesh is woven. This metal mesh is again
shielded by an outer covering of a thick material (usually PVC) known as jacket. It is robust and is
commonly used in cable TV network. As compared to twisted pairs, it also offers higher
bandwidth. It also offers higher bandwidth. A coaxial cable is capable of transmitting data at a
rate of 10Mbps.

Copper
core
Insulation Metal connector

Braided outer conductor

Protective plastic
Adama University, IT Department
covering 4
 Introduction to Computing
5.5.1.3. Fiber Optic Cable: we have seen both twisted and coaxial cables, both of which
transmit data in the form of current. Optic fiber, on the other hand, consists of thin glass fibers
that can carry information in the form of visible light. The typical optical fiber consists of a very
narrow strand of glass called the core. Around the core is a concentric layer of glass called the
claddings.

5.5.2. Unguided Media

5.5.2.1. Radio Transmission

Radio waves are easy to generate, can travel long distances, and can penetrate buildings easily,
so they are widely used for communication, both indoors and outdoors. Radio waves also are omni-
directional, meaning that they travel in all directions from the source, so the sender and receiver do not
have to be carefully aligned physically.
The properties of radio waves are frequency dependent. At low frequencies, radio waves pass
through obstacles well, but the power falls off sharply with distance from the source. At high
frequencies, radio waves tend to travel in straight lines and bounce off obstacles. They are also
absorbed by rain. At all frequencies, radio waves are subject to interference from motors and other
electrical equipment.

5.5.2.2. Microwave Transmission

Above 100 MHz, the waves travel in nearly straight lines and can therefore be narrowly
focused. Concentrating all the energy into a small beam by means of a parabolic antenna (like the
familiar satellite TV dish) gives a much higher signal-to-noise ratio, but the transmitting and receiving
antennas must be accurately aligned with each other. In addition, this directionality allows multiple
transmitters lined up in a row to communicate with multiple receivers in a row without interference,
provided some minimum spacing rules are observed. Before fiber optics, for decades these microwaves
formed the heart of the long-distance telephone transmission system.
Unlike radio waves at lower frequencies, microwaves do not pass through buildings well. In
summary, microwave communication is so widely used for long-distance telephone communication,
mobile phones, television distribution, and other uses that a severe shortage of spectrum has
developed. It has several significant advantages over fiber. The main one is that no right of way is
needed, is also relatively inexpensive.

5.5.2.3. Infrared and Transmission

Unguided infrared waves are widely used for short-range communication. The remote controls
used on televisions, VCRs, and stereos all use infrared communication. They are relatively directional,
cheap, and easy to build but have a major drawback: they do not pass through solid objects (try
standing between your remote control and your television and see if it still works). In general, as we go
from long-wave radio toward visible light, the waves behave more and more like light and less and less
Adama University, IT Department 5
 Introduction to Computing
like radio. Generally, Infrared signals can be used for short-range communication in a closed area using
line-of-sight propagation.

5.5.3. Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission

The primary concern while considering the transmission of data from one device to another is to
decide whether to send the data one bit at a time (serial mode) or to send a group of bits in to a
large group (parallel mode). In serial mode, one bit is sent at a given instant, hence only one
communicating channel is needed to transmit data. Since only one communication channel is
required the cost is largely reduced. In parallel mode, multiple bits are sent at any given instance;
therefore, more than one channel is needed to transmit data. There is only one way of sending
data in parallel mode, but there are two subclasses of serial transmission, namely, Asynchronous
and Synchronous.
5.5.3.1. Asynchronous Transmission: is so called because the timing of the signal is not
important. The information that is received or transmitted follows a predefined pattern. As long
as the patterns are followed, the receiving device can retrieve the information without any regard
to the timing of the signal sent. However, a synchronizing pulse is necessary for the receiver to
know when the data is coming and when it is ending. Hence, each byte of information is
preceded by a start bit (denoted by 0) and ended by a stop bit (denoted by 1). Therefore, the
information is one byte, that is, eight bits becomes ten bits, increasing the overheads. In addition,
the transmission of each byte may be followed by a gap of varying duration, which can further
help in synchronizing the information with the data stream of channel. As soon as receiver
detects the stop bit, it ignores any received pulses until it detects the next start bit. The
asynchronous transmission is slower than the other forms of transformation but at the same time
is cheaper and an attractive choice for low speed communication.
5.5.3.2. Synchronous Transmission: this mode of transmission works on the same media as the
asynchronous transmission but the transmitter dose not send start and stop bits to the receiver.
The receiver’s clock is synchronized with the transmitter’s clock. In other words, data is
transmitted as un unbroken string of 1’s and 0’s, and the receiver, on the bases of clock timings,
separate the string in to bytes. Timing becomes very important in synchronous transmission
because without start and stop bits, there is no in built mechanism to help the receiving device
accessing the incoming information. The advantage of synchronous transmission is speed. With
no extra start and stop bits, overhead is lessened, increasing the speed of transmission.
Therefore, synchronous transmission is useful for high-speed application like transfer of large
data from one computer to another.

Read more about the following from different sources

What is computer network?
What are the benefits of computer Network?
Discuss different Types of Computer Network Medium (cabled and wireless)
Discuss Different Types of Computer Network

5.6. COMPUTER NETWORK

Adama University, IT Department 6

 Introduction to Computing
Computer Network is a collection of computers and terminal devices connected by a communication
system. The use of computer network is to share resources like file, device, printer, scanner, and
program. Topology refers to the way in which multiple devices are interconnected via communication
links.
Based on the span of control, computer networks can be classified into two major groups:
Centralized Network
Distributed Network
5.6.1. Centralized Network
Centralized network has one main CPU that processes all information requests and handles
communication. The main CPU in a centralized network is usually a mainframe or minicomputer
capable of handling the processing workload of many people simultaneously. People interface with the
host computer by using terminals and other input and output devices.

A terminal is a hardware device consisting of a keyboard and monitor. There are two types of
terminals:
 Dumb Terminals
 Intelligent Terminals

Terminals that have no storage or processing capabilities are called dumb terminals. Because dumb
terminals do not have any processing capabilities, they must be connected to a host computer that can
perform any processing functions necessary.

Intelligent terminals, on the other hand, do have limited storage and processing capabilities.

5.6.2. Distributed Network

Distributed network is a collection of workstations connected to each other, along with various shared
storage and input and output devices (for example, scanners and printers). In a distributed network
each workstation can handle some, if not all, of its own processing. Workstations in a distributed
network also maintain local information and software.
Distributed Network can be either
 Client/Server, or
 Peer-to-Peer

5.6.2.1. A Client/Server network is a distributed network in which many workstations (called

Clients) are connected to a central host computer (called the Server). The clients are the workstations
in a Client/Server network that maintain local software and information and do as much of the
processing as possible.

Adama University, IT Department 7

 Introduction to Computing

FileServer

5.6.2.2. Peer-to-Peer
In a peer-to-peer network, workstations are connected to each other and do not rely on a server for
global software and data, data processing tasks, or communication within the network. Basically, a
peer-to-peer network consists of many workstations connected together that can share resources and
communicate with each other. Each workstation can be a client at one time and a server at another
time.

Client and Server

at a time

Based on geographical span of coverage, computer networks are classified in to three network:- Local
area Network ( LAN), Metropolitan Area Network(MAN) and Wide Area Network ( WAN).

1. LAN: -Local Area Network (LAN) is a collection of interconnected computers that can share
data, applications, and resources, such as printers, covering small geographic area. Computers
in a LAN are separated by distances of up to a few kilometers and are typically used in offices or
across university campuses. A LAN enables the fast and effective transfer of information within
a group of users and reduces operational costs. LAN is the basic building blocks of other types
of larger networks. To establish a LAN you need the minimum of two computers. Most LAN has
communication stations that are physically linked by a cable.

2. MAN: - This type of network covers a larger geographic area than LAN. The different
communicating LANs in a city can form MAN. Thus MAN is not limited to a campus. It can cover
a wider area like a city. The media of communication in MAN can be cable or wireless.

Adama University, IT Department 8

 Introduction to Computing

3. WAN are used to connect computers not located in the same building (or even in the same city.
High-speed dedicated data lines or satellite connections may be used to link computers
separated by great distance. Wide area networks (WANs) are networks that span large
geographical areas such as cities, states, countries, even the whole world. Computers can
connect to these networks to use facilities in another city or country. For example, a person in
Adama can browse through the computerized archives of the Library of Congress in Washington
DC. The largest WAN is the Internet, a global consortium of networks linked by common
communication programs and protocols (a set of established standards that enable computers
to communicate with each other).

MAN
LAN LAN LAN

WAN

There are three main network topologies; bus, ring and star.

5.6.3. Bus Topology: - In bus topology, all stations attach through appropriate interfacing hardware,
directly to a line as transmission medium, or bus. A transmission from any station propagates the
length of the medium in both directions and can be received by all other stations. The message that is
transmitted contains the address of the station and the data and each station monitors the medium
and copies packets addressed to itself. Because all stations share a common transmission link, only
one station can successfully transmit at a time, duo some form of medium access control technique is
needed to regulate access.

Workstation Workstation Workstation

Workstation Workstation

Bus Topology Network

Adama University, IT Department 9

 Introduction to Computing
5.6.4. Ring Topology:- In the ring topology the network consists of a set repeaters joined by point –
to point links in a closed loop. The links are unidirectional, that is, data are transmitted in one direction
only, and all oriented in the same way. The data circulates around the ring in one direction (clockwise
or counter clockwise). Data are transmitted in packets inserted into the ring by the stations. The
packet contains source and destination address as well as other control information and user data. As
a packet circulates, the destination station copies the data. Typically, the packet continues to circulate
until it returns to the source station, where it is absorbed, removing it from the ring. Since the medium
is shared it needed to control the order and timing of packet transmission.

Workstation

Laser printer

Token-ring

Workstation Server

ASCII Printer

Workstation

Ring Topology Network

5.6.5. Star Topology: In star topology, each station is directly connected to a common Central
Switch, Hub (host). Each station transmits its message to the host and the host delivers the message
to the correct destination by identifying the address. The problem with star is if the host fails there will
not be any communication.

Adama University, IT Department 10

 Introduction to Computing

Workstation

Workstation

Central Server

Hub Workstation
Workstation

Workstation Workstation

Workstation

Star Topology Network

5.7. Distributed System

Distributed system is a system by which physically separated computers share resources in their
respective information processing functions. This means the number of users can use the same disk
drives, printers, and other peripherals, rather, than giving each computer these peripherals. This
becomes an important advantage when a large database required by two or more different computers.

5.7.1. Centralized information system Vs Decentralized information system

In telecommunications, a centralized, system is one in which most communications are routed through
one or more major central hubs. Such a system allows certain functions to be concentrated in the
system's hubs, freeing up resources in the peripheral units. Another benefit of centralization is the
ease of maintaining accurately updated lists of data that can be easily accessed from all points.
Centralization's weaknesses are centered on the system's heavy reliance on a few central components;
if the system's hubs are put out of operation, either accidentally or through hostile action, the system
and its peripheral components are severely affected.

Each independent decision making unit can control its own data and information processing activities.

Distributed information system is a management of information system that takes both of these
factors into account.

In a network, computer systems that have several interconnected processors which are physically
dispersed can operate together. Each processor can have its own local peripherals (disks, printers,
terminals) in addition to any peripherals attached to some centered processor. Such a system which
looks a single complete to its users is more accurately described as a distributed system.
Adama University, IT Department 11
 Introduction to Computing

A distributed processing system is a set of independent but interacting computer systems or data bases
situated in different locations. The function of a distributed processing system is to process some jobs
at the point of user activity, while transmitting other jobs to a centralized facility.

Distributed processing is not restricted to systems having a large centralized computer system.
A network of inter connected micro computer systems is also a distributed system.

5.8. Internet and Electronic communication

The Internet has had a relatively brief, but explosive history so far. It grew out of an experiment begun
in the 1960's by the U.S. Department of Defense. Its goal was to create a method for widely separated
computers to transfer data efficiently even in the event of a nuclear attack. If part of the network were
damaged or destroyed, the rest of the system still had to work. That network was ARPANET, which
linked U.S. scientific and academic researchers. It was the forerunner of today's Internet.

Today's Internet is made up of a loose collection of interconnected commercial and non-commercial

computer networks, including on-line information services to which users subscribe. Servers are
scattered around the world, linked to the Internet using modems, phone lines, and satellite links.

From a handful of computers and users, today the Internet has grown to thousands of regional
networks that can connect millions of users. It has grown explosively in the 1990s to thousands of
regional networks that can connect millions of users. There are millions of server computers on the
Internet, each providing some type of information or service. The number of users of the Internet is
harder to measure.
Because the Internet is a world-wide distributed collection of computers rather than one central
computer that everyone ties into, there is no central, controlling agency, nor can there ever be (No one
is in charge of the Internet). There are organizations, which develop technical aspects of this network
and set standards for creating applications on it, but no governing body is in control. The Internet
backbone, through which Internet traffic flows, is owned by private companies. Any computer on the
Internet that is properly configured can share information with any other computer found there.
Internet is a wide area network, which is the network of networks. Internet has a lot of services, which
includes.
1. Electronic- Mail (E-mail)

E-mail is one of the most widely used services on the internet, E-mail is easy to send, read, reply to and
manage, and it is fast and convenient. E-mail is also global, allowing manages to pass from Japan to
the U.S in minutes, regardless or the time they were sent. It is much cheaper to send an e-mail
message then a letter, or to make a long distance telephone call. Another advantage of e-mail is, it is
possible to send the same message to any number of individuals as long as you know their e-mail
address.

Adama University, IT Department 12

 Introduction to Computing
2. World Wide Web (WWW):- Is one of the newest Internet services. The WWW allows you to combine
text, a video, graphics, and even animation to make a document to be viewed easily. Links within
WWW documents can take you quickly to other related documents. WWW is a set of sites that you
can go o for information.

To access the WWW, it is necessary that you run a WWW browser on your computer.
What is World Wide Web?
World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of information resources accessed primarily through
the Internet. It is a set of internet protocols and software that present information in a hypertext
format. WWW is computer-based network of information resources that combines text and
multimedia. These data are extensively cross-indexed, enabling users to browse (transfer their
attention from one information site to another) via buttons, highlighted text, or sophisticated
searching software known as search engines. The World Wide Web is often referred to simply as
.the Web.
Browser (web browser)
A browser is a program that allows a computer to display multimedia documents
(documents containing text, graphics, photographs, sounds, videos, and animations). Most
browsers, (such as, internet explorer), are used to view information on the World Wide Web or
on intranets of companies or organizations. Browsers have various buttons that allow users to
print out the contents of a Web site, move backward or forward between sites already accessed,
and use a search engine to find information.
How the WEB works?
To access the Web, a user must have a computer connected to the Internet and appropriate
browser software. The connection between the user's computer and the Internet can consist of a
permanent (dedicated) connection or a temporary (dial-up) connection.
 A dial-up connection uses a modem to send data over the telephone system to another
modem. It offers the lowest cost but requires the user to wait for the connection to be
established each time the modem is used.
 A permanent connection uses a technology such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
(ADSL, also known as DSL), a cable modem, or a dedicated leased circuit. It remains in place
and is ready to use at all times. Permanent Internet connections cost more but offer higher
capacity that is, they can send more data at a faster speed.
Two pieces of software are needed to access the Web: basic communication software and
web application programs
Basic communication software: - that a computer uses to transfer data across the Internet. Basic
communication software, usually built into the computer's operating system, allows the
computer to interact with the Internet following a set of protocol standards that are collectively
known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). Because it is built into the
computer's operating system, TCP/IP software remains hidden from users. Application programs
that use the Internet invoke the software automatically.
A Web application program: - known as a browser that can contact a Web site to obtain and
display information. This software which needed for Web access consists of an application
program known as a Web browser. Unlike basic communication software, a browser is directly
visible to the user. To access the Web, the user must invoke the browser and enter a request. The

Adama University, IT Department 13

 Introduction to Computing
browser then acts as a client. The browser contacts a Web server, obtains the requested
information, and displays the information for the user.
What is website?
Web Site, file or information located on a server connected to the World Wide Web
(WWW). The WWW is a set of protocols and software that allows the global computer network
called the Internet to display multimedia documents. Web sites may include text, photographs,
illustrations, video, music, or computer programs. They also often include links to other sites in
the form of hypertext, highlighted or colored text that the user can click on with their mouse,
instructing their computer to jump to the new site. Every web site has a specific address on the
WWW, called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). These addresses end in extensions that indicate
the type of organization sponsoring the web site, for example, gov. for government agencies,
edu. for academic institutions, and .com for commercial enterprises. The user's computer must
be connected to the Internet and have a special software program called a browser to retrieve
and read information from a web site. Examples of browsers include Navigator from the Netscape
Communications Corporation and Explorer from the Microsoft Corporation. The content
presented on a web site usually contains hypertext and icons, pictures that also serve as links to
other sites. By clicking on the hypertext or icons with their mouse, users instruct their browser
program to connect to the web site specified by the URL contained in the hypertext link. These
links are embedded in the web site through the use of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), a
special language that encodes the links with the correct URL.
Web sites generally offer an appearance that resembles the graphical user interfaces (GUI) of
Microsoft's Windows operating system, Apple's Macintosh operating system, and other graphics
based operating systems. They may include scroll bars, menus, buttons, icons, and toolbars, all of
which can be activated by a mouse or other input device.
To find a web site, a user can consult an Internet reference guide or directory, or use one of the
many freely available search engines, such as Google. These engines are search and retrieval
programs, of varying sophistication, that ask the user to fill out a form before executing a search
of the WWW for the requested information. The user can also create a list of the URLs of
frequently visited web sites. Such a list helps a user recall a URL and easily access the desired web
site. Web sites are easily modified and updated, so the content of many sites changes frequently.
A single website consists of several pages. The first page of the website is called home page. You
can click on the hyperlinks to display other pages or give their address in the URL.

3. Use Net: - It is one of the Internet services which allow users from anywhere on the Internet to
participate a discussion groups (News groups). It is an organized electronic mail (e-mail) system,
except there is no single user that mail is sent to. Instead, the messages you and everyone else
using Use Net write are sent to a newsgroup section, available for anyone who accesses that news
group.

4. Telnet:- It is a program that lets you log into a remote computer directly through the Internet and
you can work on that computer and use online databases, library catalogs, chat services, and more.
To Telnet to a computer, you must know its address. This can consist of words (locis.loc.gov) or the
IP address numbers (like 140.147.254.3).

Adama University, IT Department 14

 Introduction to Computing

5. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

This enables you to examine the files of remote hosts on the Internet and to transfer files between
your hosts and the others. Using FTP programs we can upload or download files. But to do this
there should be an admission from the remote computer. FTP sites can contain books, articles,
software, games, images, sounds, multimedia, course work, data sets, and more.

6. Video Conferencing:- The internet is, in its raw form, communication. Video conferencing means
making a conference on the Internet by individuals who live in different locations. The individuals
speak and see each other.
7. Teleconferencing: - Teleconferencing refers to the meeting of people who are geographically
separated but are all participating in discussions through a telecommunications system.
Participants, using facsimile transmitters, literally pass papers back and forth to one another as they
talk, argue and debate on important points.
Teleconferencing offers a number of advantages:
 Cost of travel and stay of people is eliminated.
 No time is lost in travel.
 No fatigue and no loss of energy.
 Risk and uncertainty of public transport is avoided.
Teleconferencing has gained wide acceptance because it is relatively inexpensive.

Adama University, IT Department 15