Chapter

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 Communications
• Computer communications is the process of sharing data,
programs, and information between two or more computers
• Numerous applications depend on communication systems,
including
• E-mail – sending and receiving electronic documents
• Texting – short electronic messages
• Video Conferencing – low cost alternative to long distance
• Electronic commerce – buying and selling goods electronically
Communication Systems

• Communication systems are electronic systems that transmit data from

one location to another
• Communication systems can be wired or wireless
 Communication Channels
• Communication channels carry the data from one computer
to another; essential element of every communication system
• Two categories of communication channels
i. Physical Connections using wire or cable
ii. Wireless Connections
 Physical Connections
Physical connection between sending and
receiving device include
i. Twisted pair cable: two pairs of copper wire
twisted together
• Telephone lines
• Ethernet cables
ii. Coaxial cable: single solid copper core
• Cable TV
iii. Fiber-optic cable: tiny glass tubes
• Faster and more reliable than coax
• Rapidly twisted pair
 Primary Wireless Technology

Bluetooth (short-range) Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) Microwave WiMax (extends Wi-Fi)

• short range radio communication • wireless Fidelity • Uses high frequency radio • New standard that uses
standard, 33 ft, wireless headsets,
printer connections, hand held communicates over short wave signals microwave to extend WiFi
devices distances. range
• Radio communication standard • Uses high frequency radio

Cellular Satellite Infrared GPS (Global

•Use infrared light wants to
• Use multiple antennae to • Uses satellites as microwave relay
communication over short distances
Positioning system)
stations
communication •Sometimes called line of sight • Determine geographic
• Uplink (key term) sending data communications
to a satellite location of the devices
•Sending and receiving devices must
• Downlink (key term) receiving be in clear view of one another
data from a satellite
 Connection Devices
Devices need to convert digital signal to analog
i. Modem – modulator-demodulator
• Modulation is the process of converting from digital to analog
• Demodulation is the process of converting from analog to digital
ii. Transfer rate
• Speed in which modems transfer data
• Usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps)
 Data Transmission
Factors that affect data transmission include bandwidth and protocols.
• Bandwidth is how much information can move across the communication
channel in a given amount of time
• Measurement of the width or capacity of the communication channel
• Categories of bandwidth
i. Voiceband (or low bandwidth) – also known as low bandwidth; standard phone line;
too slow for many types of transmissions – especially high-quality video; typical
speeds are 56 to 96 kbps
ii. Medium band – with special leased lines to connect minicomputers and mainframes
as well as to transmit data over long distances (for larger computer systems); not
typically used by individuals
iii. Broadband - used for high-capacity transmissions (DSL, cable, satellite connections);
specialized high-speed devices; effectively transmits high-quality video and other
communication needs; typically 1.5 mbps; higher speeds possible
• Broadband for DSL, cable, satellite connections to the Internet
• Baseband for individual connections for computers in close range
Protocols

• Protocols are communication rules for exchanging

data between computers
• Types:
1. HTTPS – Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
• Widely used to protect the transfer of sensitive data

2. TCP/IP (Transmission control protocol/Internet

protocol)
 Networks
A communication system that
connects two or more computers
so they can exchange information
and share resources
 Network Architecture
• How the network is arranged and resources are shared
1. Network Topology
• Physical arrangement of the network
• Bus network
• Ring Network
• Star Network

2. Network Strategy
• How the information and resources are shared
Star Network

• Topology where each device

connected directly to a central
network switch.
• All communications pass
through the switch; each
connecting device is asked
(“polled”) whether it has a
message to send and then each
device is in turn allowed to send
its message
• The switch sends the message to
the intended recipient.
• Most widely used network
topography today
Ring Network

• Topology where each device

connected directly to a central
network switch.
• Each device is connected to
two other devices forming a
ring
• When a message is sent it
passes through each device until
it reaches its destination
Bus Network

• Nodes are connected via a

“backbone” called “bus”.
• If one node breaks down, the
network still functioning.
• Need additional software to
control because there is no
central computer.
 Network Strategies
• Client/Server Network
• Central computers coordinate and supply services to other nodes on the network
• Server provides access
• Advantages:
• handle large networks efficiently
• availability of powerful network management software to monitor and control network
activities
• Disadvantages
• Cost of installation and maintenance
• Commonly used server operating systems:
• Windows Server
• Mac OS X Server
• Linux
• Solaris
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network
• All nodes have equal authority
• Can act as both client and server
• BitTorrent – file sharing software
• Lack of security
 Organizational Networks
Internet technologies support effective communication within
and between organizations
• Intranet
• Private network within an organization
• Works like the Internet
• Extranet
• Private network that connects more than one organization
• Works like the Internet, but provides suppliers and other trusted
partners with limited access to the organization’s networks
 Network Security
• Commonly used technologies to ensure network security
1. Firewall
• Hardware and software that controls access to network
• Proxy server provides pass-through access
• Protects against external threats
2. Intrusion detection system (IDS)
• Works with firewall to protect organization's network
• Analyzes all incoming and outgoing network traffic
3. Virtual private network (VPN)
• Creates a secure private network connection between your computer and the
organization