Unit 2

Data Communication & Network

1. Communication: The Process of sending and receiving information from sender to
receiver using any medium and certain protocols is called communication. The
communication system is a system which describes the information exchange between two
points. The major elements of communication are the Transmitter of information, Channel
or medium of communication and the Receiver of information.

2. Basic Elements of Communication System:

Information
Information are source that is to be transmitted. It can be in the form of audio, video etc
Signal
Signal are information that are passes through any communication system. The information
is converted into an electrical form (called signal) for transmission.
Transducer
Transducer is a device that converts one form of energy to the other. An electrical transducer
converts physical variables such as audio, video, into electrical signal variations. Example:
Microphone – converts audio signals into electrical signals.
Amplifier
An Amplifire is an electronic circuit or device that increases the strength of the transmitted
signal passing through any communication medium. When the signal strength becomes less
than the amplification can be done anywhere in between transmitter and receiver
Modulator
As the original message signal cannot be transmitted over a large distance because of their
low frequency so they are overlaid with high frequency and amplitude wave called carrier
wave. This overlaying or merging of message signal with a carrier wave is called modulation.
Antenna
An Antenna is a device that send and receive electromagnetic waves. So, they are used in
both transmitters and receivers. An antenna is basically a metallic object or a collection of
wires.
Communication Channel
A channel refers to a physical medium such as wire, cables, space through which the signal is
passed from the transmitter to the receiver.
Noise
Noise is channel imperfection or impairment while signal is transmitting to its destination.
There are two types of noise internal noise and external noise. Internal noise occurs in
sender’s computer while signals passes through different electrical components and External
noise are interference also called EMI or Cross talk, interference generated by natural sources
which can be minimized by appropriate design of channel and shielding of cables.
Attenuation
Attenuation is decrease of signals in longer distance which can be regenerated by using
amplifiers and repeater .

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3. Data Communication
The term “Data Communication” made of two words: Data and Communication. Data can be
any text, image, audio, video, and multimedia files. Communication is an act of sending or
receiving data. Thus, data communication refers to the exchange of data between two or
more networked or connected devices.
Components of Data Communication
Sender: A sender is a computer or any device which is capable of sending data over a
network. It can be a computer, mobile phone, smartwatch, walkie-talkie, video recording
device, etc.
Receiver: A receiver is a computer or any such device which is capable of receiving data from
the network. It can be any computer, printer, laptop, mobile phone, television, etc. In
computer communication, the sender and receiver are known as nodes in a network.
Message: It is the data or information that needs to be exchanged between the sender and
the receiver. Messages can be in the form of text, number, image, audio, video, multimedia,
etc.
Communication media: It is the electronic path through which the message travels between
source and destination. It is also called medium or link which is either wired or wireless. For
example, a television cable, telephone cable, ethernet cable, satellite link, microwaves, etc.
Protocols: It is a set of rules that governs communication. It defines how data should be
transmitted or received between devices

4. Types of Data Communication

Simplex Communication
It is a one way or unidirectional communication between two devices in which one device is
sender and other one is receiver. The device can either send information or receive
information. Information from newspaper, TV and Radio is an example of this
communication.

Half-duplex Communication
It is two way or bidirectional communication between two devices in which both the devices
can send and receive data or control signals in both directions, but once at the same time.
Walkie-talkie is an example of this communication.

Full-duplex Communication
It is two way or bidirectional communication in which both devices can send and receive data
simultaneously. This type of communication channel is employed to allow simultaneous
communication, for example, in our mobile phones and landline telephones.

5. Computer Networking: A group of two or more computers and other devices connected
to each other through wired or wireless media like cables, fiber cables WiFi, satellite etc to
exchange data and information and share hardware, software and other resources is called
computer network.

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a. Advantages of computer networking
• Resources Sharing: We can share hardware resources like Hard disk, Printer etc.
• Centralized Management: The computer in the network can be connected to a server
which can control and provide security to the computers.
• Speed: Information can be shared within a second.
• Backup & recover: Data can be easily backed up and recovered.
• Access: File can be easily accessed from any computer in the network.
b. Disadvantages of computer networking
• Installation cost is higher.
• Virus may spread through network.
• Skilled manpower in needed to operate and maintain it.
• Cybercrimes are originated from computer Network.
• Failure of network may hamper day to day operation
6 . Signal: A signal is a wave that carry information over a transmission medium. Signals can
be electric, light, electromagnetic, or radio signals. The electric signals have limited
bandwidth and cannot be used in long distance. They need to be amplified or regenerated.
a. Analog Signal: Analog signals are continuous wave signals that change with time period. It
is used to measure physical value such as light, sound, pressure, or temperature. A signal
carried by microphone, phone are analog signals.
b. Digital Signal: A digital signal are discrete signals wave. These signals are non-continuous,
they change in individual steps. Digital signals consist of binary digits 0 & 1. Data transmission
between computers is in the form of digital signals.
7. Types of Network
a. LAN (Local Area Network)
LAN is a connection of computers done in a single room, single buildings or group of buildings
in a limited distance. It connects workstation, PCs, or node to share devices, send message,
emails etc. (Wireless LAN is also called WLAN or Wi-Fi).
Advantages
 Data transmission is faster than MAN & WAN.
 It has higher security resources.
 It is cheaper to established.
 Easier to operate and manage.
Disadvantages
 Limited in small area.
 It connect small number of computers.
 Applicable for small area like room and school

b. WAN (Wide Area Network)

A WAN is a computer network that spans in a large geographical area. Typically a WAN
consists of two or more LAN and they are connected through public network (ISP), such as
telephones lines or radio wave systems, they also can be connected through satellites.
Internet is the best example of WAN.

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Advantages
 It has large area than LAN and MAN
 It can connect millions of computer together.
 It can connect dissimilar network.
 It can be connected through public network in a cheap cost
Disadvantages
 Slower than LAN & MAN.
 Complex to manage and provide security.

c. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Man is a computer networking that covers a city or beyond 100km. The best examples of
MAN are the cable television networks. It is used in organization having different branches
within a city.
Advantages
 It has larger area than LAN
 It can connect large number of computers.
Disadvantages
 Expensive than LAN.
 Speed is slower than LAN
 It is costlier to established.
 Difficult to manage and operate.

On the basis of architecture

d. Client Server Architecture
The Network Architecture in which one computer is dedicated server and others are client
computer is referred as Client Server Architecture. In this architecture, client request to the
server and server respond to the client. Server is a centralized computer which controls client
computers and client have to depend on the server. It provides services to the client
computers
Advantages
• High Security can be provided through server.
• It is appropriate for large organization.
• Easy to backup and recovery data.
• Centralized network is possible.
Disadvantages
• It is difficult to setup and manage.
• Cost is expensive.
• If server fails, it will effect network
• Skilled manpower required.

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e. Peer to Peer to Architecture
The Network Architecture in which all the computers are either client or server is referred as
Peer to Peer Architecture. In this architecture, all the computer has equal responsibility. It
can share data, hardware and software with each other. It is suitable for a small area such as
small offices, small room, building, etc. It uses many operating systems such as Windows
2000, Windows 7, Windows 10 etc
Advantages
• It is simple and easier to setup.
• Overall cost is cheaper.
• If any computer fails, it will not affect others.
• User can easily manage system, so no skilled manpower required.
Disadvantages
• Data security is poor.
• Backup and recovery is difficult.
• Suitable only for small organization.
• It cannot control other computers
8. Topologies/ LAN Topologies
The way of connecting computers in LAN is called Topology. It is also called physical and
logical layout of interconnection of the computers in the Network. It is a pattern or cabling
structure of network components.
There are mainly three types of Network Topology
a. Ring Topology
b. Bus Topology
c. Star Topology
a. Ring Topology: The topology in which all the computers are connected to each other in a
closed loop by a single cable with each other. Data travel around the network, in one
direction in a sequential manner. The data passes through all the computers connected in
the network.
Advantages of Ring Topology
Easy to setup.
Reliable for small Network.
It is cheap to install.
Each computer has equal priority.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology
It is difficult for troubleshooting.
adding or deleting the computers disturbs the network activity.
Failure of one computer will affect whole network.
b. Bus Topology: The topology in which all computers, nodes and network devices are
connected to single main cable called bus topology. Terminators are attached at the cable's
start and end points. it is also called linear Bus Topology. The cable used in this topology is
the backbone of the network. Data passes in the network through the main Cable.
Advantages of Bus Topology
Easy to setup and cheap in cost.

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It is used in small networks.
It is easy to expand networks.
Disadvantage of Bus Topology
Failure in main cable will make the whole network fail.
Heavy network traffic or increase in nodes will decrease the performance of network.
Terminators are necessary at both ends of the cable
c. Star Topology: The topology in which all the computers or nodes are connects to the
central device called hub/switch through a cable. It is the most common topology. Switch
acts as a repeater for data flow. Star topology are mostly used with twisted pair cable.
Advantages of Star Topology
One of the latest topology.
Used in big organization.
It is easy to expand networks.
Easy to troubleshoot.
Failure on any node doesn’t effect network
Disadvantage of Star Topology
Failure of hub/switch will make the whole network fail.
Expensive that other topologies.
d. Mesh Topology: The topology where each computer is connected to every computer in
point to point connection. It is advanced from of Ring topology.
Advantages
Direct connection between computers.
Data transmission in higher & traffic is reduced.

Disadvantage
Higher in cost.
Requires more cables.
Complex in nature.
f. Hybrid Topology: The combination of two or more topologies is called hybrid topology. It
combines Bus topology to a star topology.

9. Transmission Media / Communication Media

Transmission media refers to the wires, cables and other means through which data travels
from its source to destination. It is an electronic roadways through which data transfer from
one place to another place.
Two Types of Communication Media
a. Guided Communication Media/ Wired Communication Media/ Bounded Communication Media
b. Unguided Communication Media/ Wireless Communication Media/Unbounded Communication Media

a. Guided Communication Media

The media that uses cable or wire to transfer data between computer computers or network
is called guided media. The different types of cable or wire are as follows.
i. Twisted Pair Cable
ii. Co-axial Cable

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 iii. Fiber Optic Cable
i. Twisted pair Cable
It is a wired communication channel that transfer data signals from one location to
another location. It contains pair of copper wire twisted to each other and insulated with
a plastic. It is used in LAN to connect computers. It uses RJ45 Jack as a connector. CAT 5 &
CAT 6 are latest cables. Which can transfer 200 Mbps of data
Types of Twisted pair Cable
* UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
Unshielded twisted pair cable or wire is most popular wire. The cable without a shield is called
unshielded twisted pair. It is cheap in cost and not good against EMI (Electromagnetic
Interference).
* STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)
Shielded twisted pair is a wire that contain special shield to protect against EMI
(Electromagnetic Interference). They are expensive that UTP.
Advantages
Common and easily available in market.
Cheaper than other cables.
Data transfer rate is higher in short distance.
It is thin and light weighted.
Disadvantages
It cannot be used for long distance.
Data transmission becomes slow in long distance.

ii. Coaxial cable

It is a wired communication channel that transfer data signals from one location to another
location. It uses thick copper wire in center and thin web like a wire in outer layer, separated
by insulator and covered by a plastic. BNC and T connectors are used to connect this wires.
These wires are specially used in TV cable network.

Types
Thinnet (10mbps 200 Meter)
Thick net (10mbps 500 Meter)

Advantages
Data transmission is faster than twisted pair cable in medium range distance.
Easier to install and modify.
Disadvantages
Expensive than twisted pair cable.
Not appropriate for long distance.
They are not used for computer network.

ii. Fiber Optics Cables

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It is a wired communication channel that transfer data signals from one location to another
location. It is made of plastic or glass fiber to transmit data. It uses light to carry data signal
from one end of the cable to other end. It is of high quality and transmits data signals at very
high speed. The speed is higher than twisted pair cable and co-axial cable.
Advantages
Data transmission is faster than twisted pair cable and coaxial.
Best cable for long distance communication.
It can transfer multiple data in a same time.
Disadvantages
Expensive than twisted pair cable and coaxial cable.
Not appropriate for short distance (difficult to bend).

b. Unguided Communication Media

The media which transfer data and information between two devices without using wire or
cable is Unguided Communication Media. Data travel through in the air in this media. It uses
radio signal for receiving and transmitting electronic data.
i. Radio wave
ii. Microwave
iii. Satellite
iv. Infrared
v. Bluetooth
vi. Wifi

i. Radio wave
Radio wave is wireless communication media that uses electronic magnetic wave for
transmission of signals. Radio waves are widely used in modern technologies such as
television, mobile phones and radio communications, broadcasting, radar, satellites, wireless
computer networks etc.

ii. Microwave
Microwaves is wireless communication media used for transmission of signals in line of sight
positions. It means that antenna should be kept in line of sight position. It cannot pass
obstacles like hill or tall buildings. Repeaters are used to amplify the signals in long distance.

iii. Satellite
Satellite is wireless communication media. It is placed in outer space as satellite station which
receives signals from the earth station with the help of an antenna as well as send signals to
earth station.

iv. Infrared
It is a wireless communication media that uses electromagnetic wave to send signals in short
distance. There are used in TV remote, mobiles etc to share information or signals.

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v. Bluetooth
It is wireless communication media that can transfer information within 10 meters. It is
specially found in Mobiles, Tablets and Laptop. It connects to devices and transfer signals or
information.

vi. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi which stands for Wireless Fidelity. Wi-Fi is a technology that uses radio waves to
provide network connectivity. It is used to access the internet on portable devices like
smartphones, tablets, or laptops. It also provides access to a local network of connected
devices.

10. Network Connecting Devices

The hardware devices that are used to connect computers to the network are called Network
Connecting Devices. The different devices are NIC, Hub, Switch, Bridge, Router, Repeater,
Gateway etc.
a. NIC (Network Interface Card) / Network Adaptor / network Card/Ethernet Card
It printed circuit board which contains port where network cable is plugged. It is attached
into motherboard expansion slot which controls the flow of data between computers in the
network. NIC helps to connect your computer to network. Now days in newer version of
computer NIC is found in built in the motherboard.

b. Hub.
Hub is network connecting device which contain multiple ports to connect many of
computers in a network, but Hub works slower because it distributes information to all
computers connected to its port. To connect HUB in a network, one part of cable is attached
into hub and another part of cable is attached into NIC.

c. Switch
Switch is network connecting device which contain multiple ports to connect many of
computers in a network, Switch works faster because it distribute information to the related
computer connected to its port. To connect Switch in a network, one part of cable is attached
into Switch and another part of cable is attached into NIC. switches are used because it
broadcast the packets only to the destination computers.

d. Bridges
Bridge is a network connecting device that is used to connect two networks having similar
protocols in LAN. It checks incoming signals and decides whether to forward or discard it.

e. Routers

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Router is a network connecting device which is used to connect two different networks in
WAN (internet) having similar protocol. It looks the address in the packet and determines
where the packet should go and then determines the best route for the packets to arrive to
its destination hence the name is ‘router’.

f. Repeater
It is a network connecting devices that accept weak signals and regenerate or amplify the
signals over a long distance. So, it boosts the data signals that are received from network.

g. Gateways
Gateway is the networking device that is used to connect two different networks having
different protocol. A packet from different network has different address (header). So the
gateway reads header and add second header that is understood by the second network.

h. MODEM
Modem Stands for Modulator and Demodulator. It is a device that convert Analog signals
from cable to Digital signals so that computer can understand. This process is called
Modulation. And again convert digital signal to analog signal so that cable or wire can
understand. This process is called Demodulation.

11. Protocol
A set of rules governs communication between computers in a network is called a protocol.
it is rules followed while sending and receiving information Protocol defines how computers
identify one another in a network. Some common protocols are as follows:
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol):- is commonly used in Internet,
dividing data into packets arranging and checking them as well addressing them.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol):- is commonly used in Internet. But it doesn’t check error.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol):- is used to transfer HTML do
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol secure):- is used to transfer HTML documents or
webpages securely in insecure network.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol):- is used in sending e-mail.
POP (Post Office Protocol):- is used to receive e-mail from a mail server. POP3 is the latest
POP used by Gmail, yahoo etc.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol):- is used to transmitting files between computers.
IPX/SPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange / Sequential Packet Exchange):- is a networking
protocol that interconnects networks that use Novell’s NetWare clients and servers.
Apple Talk:- AppleTalk is a set of LAN communication protocol that is developed for apple
computers.
Net BEUI: It stands for NetBIOS Extended User Interface is a protocol used in Windows NT
Server.
Telnet:- The protocol that is used to exchange data between two computers in a real time.
VIOP (Voice Over Internet Protocol):- The protocol that is used to transfer voice via internet.

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IMAP(Internet Mail Access Protocol):- is used to receive e-mail from a mail server just as
POP do. But, it is more powerful than POP.

12. Transmission Impairment in Data Communication

In communication system data or signals passes through communication medium and there
are some imperfection in transmission medium which cause signal impairment or impurity.
In other word we can say that signals that are transmitted at beginning of the medium are
not the same as the signals that are received at the end.

a. Noise
Noise is channel imperfection or impairment while signal is transmitting to its destination.
There are two types of noise internal noise and external noise. Internal noise occurs in
sender’s computer while signals passes through different electrical components and External
noise are interference also called EMI or Cross talk, interference generated by natural sources
which can be minimized by appropriate design of channel and shielding of cables.

b. Jitter
The information is transmitted from your computer in the form of data packets across the
internet. They are sent at regular interval and take a little amount of time. Jitter is am
impairment that occurs when there is a time delay in sending these data packets over an
internet. It can occurs by network congestion and routes changes.

c. Singing / Echo
Echo and singing occurs as a result of transmitted signals being coupled into a return path. In
other word when the returning signals repeatedly coupled back into the forward path singing
or echo is produced.

d. Crosstalk
Crosstalk is a disturbance caused by coupling of signals between two parallel lines in a wire.
The signals passes through one wire is coupled by another wire in a same parallel lines.
Crosstalk can be reduced by shielding a wire.

e. Attenuation
Attenuation is decrease of signals in longer distance. A data or signals passes over a long
distance it losses its strength which can be regenerated by using amplifiers and repeater.
f. Distortion
If signals changes its form or shape, it is referred as distortion. Distortion occurs because of
long distance, environment and other physical phenomena.

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g. Bandwidth
It is also called bits per second. The volume of data that is transmitted in a fixed period of
time through a any communication media is referred as bandwidth.
13. Some Basic Terms used in Computer Network
a. IP Address
Internet Protocol address is a unique identifying number given to each computer connected
to the network. A IP address look like 216.27.61.137, 63.255.173.183 etc

IPV4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)

IPv4 address are 32 bit long that can hold 4 billions of IP address. There are 4 group of
numbers, 8 bit per group with 256 combinations. Eg: 202.12.29.142
IPv6 addresses 128bits long that can hold trillions of IP address to fulfill the needs of all
internet users. It contain 8 group of hexadecimal numbers, 16 bit per group with 65536
combinations. Eg: fe38:dce3:124c:c1ac:ba14:67cd:dc12:121c

Network Class
• Class A
0-127 as their first octet with Subnet Mask 255.0.0.0. The address 10.16.52.63 is class A IP
Address. In this class First octet number is assign for Network and other three octet is assign
for host computer.

• Class B
128-191 as their first octet with Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0. The address 125.16.52.63 is class
B IP Address. In this class First and second octet number is assign for Network and other two
octet is assign for host computer.
• Class C
192-223 as their first octet with Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0. The address 192.168.52.63 is
class C IP Address. In this class First, second and third octet number is assign for Network and
fourth octet is assign for host computer.

b. MAC Address
Media Access Control address is a unique number related with a network adaptor also called
NIC. It is used to identify each computer in a network. Eg: 00:A0:C9:14:C8:29 where 00A0C9
indicate manufacturer and 14C829 indicates a particular host or computer.

14. The Internet

Internet is a network of networks. The worlds largest Computer Network that connects
thousands of Network and millions of computer around the world. It is a global network by
which all computers around the world can share information. It uses TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol). In order to connect to the Internet, we must have access

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to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which acts as the mediator between user and the
Internet. The first computer network, was called ARPANET (Advance Research Project Agency
Network) by ARPA in 1969 AD.
Advantages of the internet
• The internet is faster than any other communication system.
• The internet is the source of knowledge so all kinds of information can be displayed.
• The internet is the most popular form of entertainment. We can watch movies, songs,
videos, games, etc. that are available in the internet for free.
• The internet is massively used in social networking media such as face book, twitter,
etc.
• The internet tools can be for E commerce services like online hotel reservations, online
ticket booking, online shopping, etc.
Disadvantages of the internet
• The information or any important files can be easily taken by the hackers.
• The unnecessary emails, advertisements, spam mails may slow down the system and
create lots of problems while working with computer.
• The malware or virus threats affects the system to a greater extent.
• More chances of social isolation problems.
d. Intranet
Intranet is a private network that is accessed by a private users of any organization.
e. Extranet
Extranet is a private network that is accessed by a private users of any organization using
public network.

15.Network Tools
• Packet Tracer:
Packet Tracer is a cross-platform visual simulation tool designed by Cisco Systems that
allows users to create network topologies and imitate modern computer networks. The
software allows users to simulate the configuration of Cisco routers and switches using a
simulated command line interface. Packet Tracer makes use of a drag and drop user
interface, allowing users to add and remove simulated network devices as they see fit.

Remote Login
Remote Login is a authorized process in which user can login into remote site i.e. computer
and use services that are available on the remote computer. TELNET is a protocol that is used
to connect your computer to remote computer. Some software that are used are as follows
:Team Viewer
Any Desk
Windows Remote Desktop Connection etc

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16. OSI Model
• Open System Interconnection (OSI) model includes a set of protocols that attempt to
define data communication process. It describes how data communications should take
place in a network. It defines how data transfers in networks.
• It contain 7 layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation and
Application layer.
• Application layer: This is the topmost layer in the seven OSI Layers. This is the layer
where user interact with the network services. This layer allows user to access to
network resources.
• Presentation Layer: This is the layer in which the operating system operates with the
data. Main functions of this layers includes translation, encryption and compression
of data.
• Session Layer: This layer maintain proper communication by establishing, managing
and terminating sessions between two computers. For example, whenever we visit
any website, our computer has to create a session with the web server of that
website. HTTP, SMTP protocols works here.
• Transport Layer: This layer decides how much information should be sent at a time.
So, when you are communicating with a website, this layer will decide how much data
you can transfer and receive at a given point of time. TCP, UDP protocols works in this
layer
• Network Layer: The main job of this layer is to move packets from source to
destination and provide inter-networking. This is the layer that the routers operate
on. Since routers operate at the network level, hence we can say that the IP address is
at the network level.
• Data Link Layer: This layer is responsible for organizing bits into frames This is the
layer on which the Switches operate on. Since routers operate at the network level,
hence we can say that the MAC address resides at the data link layer.
• Physical Layer: This is the layer on which the real transmission of data bits takes place
through a medium. All types of cables, wires connectors take place in this layer.

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