Communication is defined as a process in which more than one computer transfers information,

instructions to each other and for sharing resources. Or in other words, communication is a
process or act in which we can send or receive data. A network of computers is defined as an
interconnected collection of autonomous computers. Autonomous means no computer can start,
stop or control another computer.

Data Communication?
Data communication refers to the process of transmitting and receiving data between two or
more devices over a communication channel. It involves the conversion of data into signals that
can be transmitted and then decoding those signals at the receiving end. Effective data
communication requires the use of appropriate protocols, encoding techniques, and hardware
devices.

Components of Data Communication

A communication system is made up of the following components:
1. Message: A message is a piece of information that is to be transmitted from one
person to another. It could be a text file, an audio file, a video file, etc.
2. Sender: It is simply a device that sends data messages. It can be a computer,
mobile, telephone, laptop, video camera, or workstation, etc.
3. Receiver: It is a device that receives messages. It can be a computer, telephone
mobile, workstation, etc.
4. Transmission Medium / Communication Channels: Communication channels are
the medium that connect two or more workstations. Workstations can be connected
by either wired media or wireless media.
5. Set of rules (Protocol): When someone sends the data (The sender), it should be
understandable to the receiver also otherwise it is meaningless. For example, Sonali
sends a message to Chetan. If Sonali writes in Hindi and Chetan cannot understand
Hindi, it is a meaningless conversation.

Therefore, there are some set of rules (protocols) that is followed by every computer connected
to the internet and they are:
• TCP(Transmission Control Protocol): It is responsible for dividing messages into
packets on the source computer and reassembling the received packet at the
destination or recipient computer. It also makes sure that the packets have the
 information about the source of the message data, the destination of the message data,
the sequence in which the message data should be re-assembled, and checks if the
message has been sent correctly to the specific destination.
• IP(Internet Protocol): Do You ever wonder how computer determines which
packet belongs to which device. What happens if the message you sent to your friend
is received by your father? Scary Right. Well! IP is responsible for handling the
address of the destination computer so that each packet is sent to its proper
destination.
Type of data communication
As we know that data communication is communication in which we can send or receive data
from one device to another. The data communication is divided into three types:
1. Simplex Communication: It is one-way communication or we can say that
unidirectional communication in which one device only receives and another device
only sends data and devices uses their entire capacity in transmission. For example,
IoT, entering data using a keyboard, listing music using a speaker, etc.
2. Half Duplex communication: It is a two-way communication, or we can say that it
is a bidirectional communication in which both the devices can send and receive data
but not at the same time. When one device is sending data then another device is only
receiving and vice-versa. For example, walkie-talkie.
3. Full-duplex communication: It is a two-way communication or we can say that it
is a bidirectional communication in which both the devices can send and receive data
at the same time. For example, mobile phones, landlines, etc.
Communication Channels
Communication channels are the medium that connects two or more workstations. Workstations
can be connected by either wired media or wireless media. It is also known as a transmission
medium. The transmission medium or channel is a link that carries messages between two or
more devices. We can group the communication media into two categories:
• Guided media transmission
• Unguided media transmission
1. Guided Media: In this transmission medium, the physical link is created using wires or
cables between two or more computers or devices, and then the data is transmitted using these
cables in terms of signals. Guided media transmission of the following types:
1. Twisted pair cable: It is the most common form of wire used in communication. In a twisted-
pair cable, two identical wires are wrapped together in a double helix. The twisting of the wire
reduces the crosstalk. It is known as the leaking of a signal from one wire to another due to which
signal can corrupt and can cause network errors. The twisting protects the wire from internal
crosstalk as well as external forms of signal interference. Types of Twisted Pair Cable:
• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): It is used in computers and telephones widely. As
the name suggests, there is no external shielding so it does not protects from external
interference. It is cheaper than STP.
• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): It offers greater protection from crosstalk due to
shield. Due to shielding, it protects from external interference. It is heavier and
costlier as compare to UTP.
2. Coaxial Cable: It consists of a solid wire core that is surrounded by one or more foil or wire
shields. The inner core of the coaxial cable carries the signal and the outer shield provides the
ground. It is widely used for television signals and also used by large corporations in building
security systems. Data transmission of this cable is better but expensive as compared to twisted
pair.
3. Optical fibers: Optical fiber is an important technology. It transmits large amounts of data at
very high speeds due to which it is widely used in internet cables. It carries data as a light that
travels inside a thin glass fiber. The fiber optic cable is made up of three pieces:
1. Core: Core is the piece through which light travels. It is generally created using
glass or plastic.
2. Cladding: It is the covering of the core and reflects the light back to the core.
3. Sheath: It is the protective covering that protects fiber cable from the environment.
2. Unguided Media: The unguided transmission media is a transmission mode in which the
signals are propagated from one device to another device wirelessly. Signals can wave through
the air, water, or vacuum. It is generally used to transmit signals in all directions. Unguided
Media is further divided into various parts:
1. Microwave: Microwave offers communication without the use of cables. Microwave signals
are just like radio and television signals. It is used in long-distance communication. Microwave
transmission consists of a transmitter, receiver, and atmosphere. In microwave communication,
there are parabolic antennas that are mounted on the towers to send a beam to another antenna.
The higher the tower, the greater the range.
2. Radio wave: When communication is carried out by radio frequencies, then it is termed radio
waves transmission. It offers mobility. It is consists of the transmitter and the receiver. Both use
antennas to radiate and capture the radio signal.
3. Infrared: It is short-distance communication and can pass through any object. It is generally
used in TV remotes, wireless mouse, etc.

Types of Computer Networks

A computer network is a cluster of computers over a shared communication path that works to
share resources from one computer to another, provided by or located on the network nodes.
Uses of Computer Networks
• Communicating using email, video, instant messaging, etc.
• Sharing devices such as printers, scanners, etc.
• Sharing files.
• Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems.
• Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information.

Types of Computer Networks

There are mainly five types of Computer Networks
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
2. Local Area Network (LAN)
3. Campus Area Network (CAN)
4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
5. Wide Area Network (WAN)
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
PAN is the most basic type of computer network. This network is restrained to a single person,
that is, communication between the computer devices is centered only on an individual’s
workspace. PAN offers a network range of 1 to 100 meters from person to device providing
communication. Its transmission speed is very high with very easy maintenance and very low cost.
This uses Bluetooth, IrDA, and Zigbee as technology.
Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone, tablet, printer, PDA, etc.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

2. Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network that connects computers
through a common communication path, contained within a limited area, that is, locally. A LAN
encompasses two or more computers connected over a server. The two important technologies
involved in this network are Ethernet and Wi-fi. It ranges up to 2km & transmission speed is very
high with easy maintenance and low cost.
Examples of LAN are networking in a home, school, library, laboratory, college, office, etc.

Local Area Network (LAN)

3. Campus Area Network (CAN)

CAN is bigger than a LAN but smaller than a MAN. This is a type of computer network that is
usually used in places like a school or colleges. This network covers a limited geographical area
that is, it spreads across several buildings within the campus. CAN mainly use Ethernet technology
with a range from 1km to 5km.
Its transmission speed is very high with a moderate maintenance cost and moderate cost.
Examples of CAN are networks that cover schools, colleges, buildings, etc.
Campus Area Network (CAN)

4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. This is the type of computer network that
connects computers over a geographical distance through a shared communication path over a city,
town, or metropolitan area. This network mainly uses FDDI, CDDI, and ATM as the technology
with a range from 5km to 50km. Its transmission speed is average. It is difficult to maintain and it
comes with a high cost.
Examples of MAN are networking in towns, cities, a single large city, a large area within multiple
buildings, etc.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

5. Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large geographical distance
through a shared communication path. It is not restrained to a single location but extends over
many locations. WAN can also be defined as a group of local area networks that communicate
with each other with a range above 50km.
Here we use Leased-Line & Dial-up technology. Its transmission speed is very low and it comes
with very high maintenance and very high cost.
The most common example of WAN is the Internet.
Wide Area Network (WAN)

Comparison between Different Computer Networks

Paramete PAN LAN CAN MAN WAN
rs

Campus Metropolitan
Full Personal Area Local Area Wide Area
Area Area
Name Network Network Network
Network Network

Technol Bluetooth, Ethernet & FDDI, Leased Line,

Ethernet
ogy IrDA,Zigbee Wifi CDDi. ATM Dial-Up

Range 1-100 m Upto 2km 1 – 5 km 5-50 km Above 50 km

Paramete PAN LAN CAN MAN WAN
rs

Transmi
ssion Very High Very High High Average Low
Speed

Owners Private or Private or

Private Private Private
hip Public Public

Mainten
Very Easy Easy Moderate Difficult Very Difficult
ance

Cost Very Low Low Moderate High Very High

Other Types of Computer Networks

1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
2. Storage Area Network (SAN)
3. System-Area Network (SAN)
4. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
5. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
6. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
7. Home Area Network (HAN)

1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

WLAN is a type of computer network that acts as a local area network but makes use of wireless
network technology like Wi-Fi. This network doesn’t allow devices to communicate over physical
cables like in LAN but allows devices to communicate wirelessly.
The most common example of WLAN is Wi-Fi.
There are several computer networks available; more information is provided below.
2. Storage Area Network (SAN)
SAN is a type of computer network that is high-speed and connects groups of storage devices to
several servers. This network does not depend on LAN or WAN. Instead, a SAN moves the storage
resources from the network to its high-powered network. A SAN provides access to block-level
data storage.
Examples of SAN are a network of disks accessed by a network of servers.
3. System Area Network (SAN)
A SAN is a type of computer network that connects a cluster of high-performance computers. It is
a connection-oriented and high-bandwidth network. A SAN is a type of LAN that handles high
amounts of information in large requests. This network is useful for processing applications that
require high network performance.
4. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
A POLAN is a type of computer network that is an alternative to a LAN. POLAN uses optical
splitters to split an optical signal from a single strand of single-mode optical fiber to multiple
signals to distribute users and devices. In short, POLAN is a point to multipoint LAN architecture.

5. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

EPN is a type of computer network mostly used by businesses that want a secure connection over
various locations to share computer resources.

6. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a type of computer network that extends a private network across the internet and lets
the user send and receive data as if they were connected to a private network even though they are
not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection users can access a private network remotely. VPN
protects you from malicious sources by operating as a medium that gives you a protected network
connection.

7. Home Area Network (HAN)

Many of the houses might have more than a computer. To interconnect those computers and with
other peripheral devices, a network should be established similar to the local area network (LAN)
within that home. Such a type of network that allows a user to interconnect multiple computers
and other digital devices within the home is referred to as Home Area Network
(HAN). HAN encourages sharing of resources, files, and programs within the network. It supports
both wired and wireless communication.
Advantages of Computer Network
Some of the main advantages of Computer Networks are:
• Central Storage of Data: Files are stored on a central storage database which helps
to easily access and available to everyone.
• Connectivity: A single connection can be routed to connect multiple computing
devices.
• Sharing of Files: Files and data can be easily shared among multiple devices which
helps in easily communicating among the organization.
• Security through Authorization: Computer Networking provides additional security
and protection of information in the system.
Disadvantages of Computer Network
Some of the main disadvantages of Computer Networks are:
• Virus and Malware: A virus is a program that can infect other programs by
modifying them. Viruses and Malware can corrupt the whole network.
• High Cost of Setup: The initial setup of Computer Networking is expensive because
it consists of a lot of wires and cables along with the device.
• loss of Information: In case of a System Failure, might lead to some loss of data.
• Management of Network: Management of a Network is somehow complex for a
person, it requires training for its proper use.
Transmission Modes in Computer Networks (Simplex, Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex)
Transmission mode means transferring data between two devices. It is also known as a
communication mode. Buses and networks are designed to allow communication to occur between
individual devices that are interconnected.
There are three types of transmission mode:-

These are explained as following below.

1. Simplex Mode –
In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, as on a one-way street. Only one of the
two devices on a link can transmit, the other can only receive. The simplex mode can use the
entire capacity of the channel to send data in one direction.
Example: Keyboard and traditional monitors. The keyboard can only introduce input, the
monitor can only give the output.

Advantages:
• Simplex mode is the easiest and most reliable mode of communication.
• It is the most cost-effective mode, as it only requires one communication channel.
• There is no need for coordination between the transmitting and receiving devices,
which simplifies the communication process.
• Simplex mode is particularly useful in situations where feedback or response is not
required, such as broadcasting or surveillance.
Disadvantages:
• Only one-way communication is possible.
• There is no way to verify if the transmitted data has been received correctly.
• Simplex mode is not suitable for applications that require bidirectional communication.
2. Half-Duplex Mode –
In half-duplex mode, each station can both transmit and receive, but not at the same time. When
one device is sending, the other can only receive, and vice versa. The half-duplex mode is used
in cases where there is no need for communication in both directions at the same time. The entire
capacity of the channel can be utilized for each direction.
Example: Walkie-talkie in which message is sent one at a time and messages are sent in both
directions.
Channel capacity=Bandwidth * Propagation Delay

Advantages:
• Half-duplex mode allows for bidirectional communication, which is useful in situations
where devices need to send and receive data.
• It is a more efficient mode of communication than simplex mode, as the channel can
be used for both transmission and reception.
• Half-duplex mode is less expensive than full-duplex mode, as it only requires one
communication channel.
Disadvantages:
• Half-duplex mode is less reliable than Full-Duplex mode, as both devices cannot
transmit at the same time.
• There is a delay between transmission and reception, which can cause problems in
some applications.
• There is a need for coordination between the transmitting and receiving devices, which
can complicate the communication process.
3. Full-Duplex Mode –
In full-duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive simultaneously. In full_duplex mode,
signals going in one direction share the capacity of the link with signals going in another
direction, this sharing can occur in two ways:
• Either the link must contain two physically separate transmission paths, one for sending
and the other for receiving.
• Or the capacity is divided between signals traveling in both directions.

Full-duplex mode is used when communication in both directions is required all the time. The
capacity of the channel, however, must be divided between the two directions.
Example: Telephone Network in which there is communication between two persons by a
telephone line, through which both can talk and listen at the same time.
Channel Capacity=2* Bandwidth*propagation Delay

Advantages:
• Full-duplex mode allows for simultaneous bidirectional communication, which is ideal
for real-time applications such as video conferencing or online gaming.
• It is the most efficient mode of communication, as both devices can transmit and
receive data simultaneously.
• Full-duplex mode provides a high level of reliability and accuracy, as there is no need
for error correction mechanisms.
Disadvantages:
• Full-duplex mode is the most expensive mode, as it requires two communication
channels.
• It is more complex than simplex and half-duplex modes, as it requires two physically
separate transmission paths or a division of channel capacity.
• Full-duplex mode may not be suitable for all applications, as it requires a high level of
bandwidth and may not be necessary for some types of communication.

There are two methods used for transferring data between computers which are given
below: Serial Transmission and Parallel Transmission.
• Serial Transmission:
In Serial Transmission, data-bit flows from one computer to another computer in bi-
direction. In this transmission, one bit flows at one clock pulse. In Serial Transmission,
8 bits are transferred at a time having a start and stop bit.

•
• Parallel Transmission:
In Parallel Transmission, many bits are flow together simultaneously from one
computer to another computer. Parallel Transmission is faster than serial transmission
to transmit the bits. Parallel transmission is used for short distance.
 •
• Difference between Serial and Parallel Transmission:
Serial Transmission Parallel Transmission
S.NO

In this type, a single communication link is used In this type, multiple parallels links
1.
to transfer data from one end to another used to transmit the data

In serial transmission, data(bit) flows in bi- In Parallel Transmission, data flows

2.
direction. in multiple lines.

Parallel Transmission is not cost-

3. Serial Transmission is cost-efficient.
efficient.

In serial transmission, one bit transferred at one In Parallel Transmission, eight bits
4.
clock pulse. transferred at one clock pulse.

Serial Transmission is slow in comparison of Parallel Transmission is fast in

5.
Parallel Transmission. comparison of Serial Transmission.

Generally, Serial Transmission is used for long- Generally, Parallel Transmission is

6.
distance. used for short distance.

The circuit used in Serial Transmission is The circuit used in Parallel

7.
simple. Transmission is relatively complex.

Parallel Transmission is half-duplex

Serial Transmission is full duplex as sender can
8. since the data is either send or
send as well as receive the data
receive

Converters are required in a serial transmission

No converters are required in
9. to convert the data between internal and parallel
Parallel Transmission
form
 Serial Transmission Parallel Transmission
S.NO

Serial transmission is reliable and Parallel transmission is unreliable

10.
straightforward. and complicated.