COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

Special compilation for EPFO Exam

Course By – Dikshant Sharma

LECTURE 3 - Scope
Data Communication & Network
I. Data Communication
i. Definition
ii. Types (Simplex, Half Duplex, Full Duplex)
iii. Channels of Communication
II. Network
i. Definition
ii. Important Terms
iii. Types of Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN Etc)
iv. Network Topologies
III. Important MCQs
Data Communication
Data Communication deals with the transmission of digital data from one device to another.
• It has certain advantages such as
• Saving of time in physical transportation of data
• Quick retrieval of information
• Reduced cost of transmission

Channels of Communication –
Data is transferred through a pathway called as a communication
channel which can be telephone line, satellite communication etc.

Types of Communication Channels –

1. Simplex – Unidirectional – Only one device can transmit
2. Half Duplex – Bi-directional – One device can transmit at a time
3. Full Duplex – Bi-directional – Both can transmit simultaneously
Data Communication
Communication Channels or Communication lines or data links:
1. Standard Telephone line
Consists of two wires of copper covered with insulator
Complex network of telephone lines has been already established all over the world
Widely used in communication

2. Coaxial Cables
Center wire surrounded by insulation
High quality communication lines (usually underground)
Shield on the outside minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference
Reduced distortion and noise

3. Microwave Transmission
Transmits signal through open space (Much faster than telephone line or coaxial cable)
Data transmitted in on a line of sight path and needs an antenna to catch it
For long distances; signals are first amplified and retransmitted from station to station
Gets affected by rain, dust, cloud and bad weather
Data Communication
4. Satellite Communications
Known for fast communication and long distance
communication
Earth Station sends signal to the satellite; it amplifies it and
sends it back to the earth
Used for mobile communication such as TV and radio
broadcasting

5. Fiber Optics
These cables consist of one or more thin filaments of glass
fiber wrapped in a layer
Glass or plastic fiber that carries light along it length
Free from radio frequency interference; hundred times
faster than coaxial cables
NETWORK
• A Network is a group of computers that are connected to each other
for the purpose of communication.
• A computer network allows computers to communicate with many
other computers and to share software resources and information.

IMPORTANT FACT – ARPANET was the first operational computer

network in the world
NETWORK
Some Network related terms –
1) Server
Main computer that manages resources to other computers connected to a network
Most powerful computer on the network
Holds the collection of data and program for PCs workstation and other computers
Server computer needs to be fast with high RAM and a large storage capacity hard disk

2) Protocol
A set of rules and standards which is used by computers to exchange information or data with each other
across a network
Defined as rules governing the syntax

3) Nodes
Node is a connection point where either data transmission ends or redistribution starts
NETWORK
Some Network related terms –
4) Terminal
Terminal is a computer equipment at the end of the link
It may be another computer or a general purpose terminal device such as keyboard or monitor

5) Dumb Terminal
These are display and input devices which don’t process data and input locally
These can either transmit and input or can display the resulting output
TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORK

PAN LAN
MAN WAN
CAN SAN
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
What is a TOPOLOGY?
• TOPOLOGY of a network refers to the physical configuration of cables, computers and other peripherals

• Types of topologies :-
1. BUS Topology
2. STAR Topology
3. RING Topology
4. MESH Topology
5. TREE Topology
6. HYBRID Topology
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
BUS TOPOLOGY
Nodes are connected by a linear sequence of buses
The bus can transmit data only in one direction
Requires less cable length than other topologies
Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable
Slow when more devices are connected
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
STAR TOPOLOGY
Most common computer network topology
Consists of a central switch, hub or a server
All devices are connected to this node
At any point, only 3 devices are used for communication between 2 computers
Amount of nodes are limited – depends on the capacity of the Switch or Hub
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
RING TOPOLOGY
Each node connects to exactly 2 nodes
This forms a single continuous pathway for signals through each node
Data travels from node to node
Does not require a central Switch to manage connectivity
One malfunctioning device can create problem for entire network
Communication delay is directly proportional to the number of nodes
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
MESH TOPOLOGY
Each node is connected to every node in the network
Data transmission can happen from different devices simultaneously
Even if one device malfunctions; the others can still communicate
Overall setup cost is very high for this topology
Setup and maintenance is also very difficult
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
TREE TOPOLOGY
It is the integration of Star and Bus Topology
It is also known as EXPANDED STAR TOPOLOGY
Expansion of network is possible and very easy
Network is divided into segments
If one segment is damaged, other segments are not affected
Too much reliance on the main bus cable
Maintenance is difficult
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
HYBRID TOPOLOGY
In this; we integrate two or more different topologies to form a resultant topology
Very reliable – Error detection is very easy. The part with the error can be separated
Easy to increase the size of the network
Design is complex
Infrastructure is very costly
LECTURE 3 - Scope
Data Communication & Network
I. Data Communication
i. Definition
ii. Types (Simplex, Half Duplex, Full Duplex)
iii. Channels of Communication
II. Network
i. Definition
ii. Important Terms
iii. Types of Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN Etc)
iv. Network Topologies
III. Important MCQs
QUICK TEST - ABBREVIATIONS
1. FORTRAN Formula Translation

2. ARPANET Advanced Research Projects Agency Network

3. GIF Graphic Interchangeable Format

4. FTP File Transfer Protocol

5. HTML Hypertext Markup Language

6. MBPS Mega byte Per Second

7. JPEG Joint Photographic Expert Group

8. HTTPS Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure

9. BCC Blind Carbon Copy

10.GPRS General Packet Radio Service

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
1. Physical or logical arrangement of network is called ____________
A. Topology B. Routing
C. Networking D. None of the Above

2. In which topology there is a central controller or hub?

A. Star B. Ring
C. Mesh D. Bus

3. Data communication system spanning states, countries, or the whole world is _____________?
A. LAN B. WAN
C. MAN D. None of the Above
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
4. A ____________ is a combination of hardware and software that facilitates the sharing of
information between computing devices.
A. Network B. Peripheral
C. Expansion Board D. Digital Device

5. The first committee namely _________ gave its recommendations during the computerization in
banking.
A. Dharamlingam Committee B. Dr. C. Rangarajan Committee
C. Kumarmangalam Committee D. Kothari Committee

6. Identify the odd one out

A. Hypertext B. FTP
C. Segmentation D. Internet
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
7. Which of the following are different types of guided media?
A. Twisted Cable B. Fiber Optical Cable
C. Co-Axial Cable D. All of the above

8. Which of the following are a part of the data communication system?

A. Sender, Receiver B. Transmission Medium
C. Message, Protocol D. All of the Above

9. Which of the following is not the possible way of data exchange?

A. Simplex B. Multiplex
C. Half- Duplex D. Full-Duplex