Data communication refers to the process of transferring data between two or more devices

through a transmission medium.

Components of Data Communication:

1. Sender (Source): The device that sends (Transmits) the data (e.g., a computer,
smartphone, and sensor).
2. Receiver (Destination): The device that receives (obtains) the data. Or A receiver is the
final destination of the data being transmitted.
3. Medium: The physical path through which the data is transmitted e.g. fiber optic cable,
twisted pair, or wireless signals.
4. Message: The actual data that is being communicated, whether it's text, audio or video
5. Protocol: The rules that govern the data transmission communication. Protocols ensure
that data is transferred in an understandable and reliable manner.

Data flow

Data flow refers to the direction and manner in which data is transferred or transmitted between
devices. This can be categorized into;

1. Simplex transmission: This is where data flows in only one direction, from sender to
receiver.
2. Half-Duplex: This is a type of data transmission where data flows in both directions but
only in one direction at time.
3. Full-Duplex: This is where data flows in both directions simultaneously.

Terms used in data communication

1. Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a communication
channel in a given amount of time, typically measured in bits per second (bps). It
determines the capacity of a network connection.
2. Baseband: A method of data transmission where the entire bandwidth of the medium is
used to send a single signal at a time. Baseband signals are typically demodulated and
occupy the full channel, often used in local area networks (LANs).
3. Broadband: A method of data transmission where the medium can carry multiple signals
or data streams simultaneously by dividing the bandwidth into multiple channels. It is
often used for internet access, allowing faster and more efficient data transmission over
long distances.

Some of the devices used in data communication

1. Router:
A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between different networks. It
connects multiple networks (such as a home network and the internet) and directs data to
its destination based on IP addresses. Routers can also perform functions like network
security and traffic management.
 2. Hub:
A hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple computers or network devices
within a Local Area Network. It broadcasts data received on one port to all other ports,
meaning all connected devices receive the data. Hubs operate at the physical layer (Layer
1) of the OSI model and are typically slower and less efficient than switches.

3. Switch:
A switch is a more advanced networking device that connects devices in a network but,
unlike a hub, it directs data only to the specific device for which the data is intended.
Switches operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) and use MAC addresses to forward data
to the appropriate device, making the network more efficient than with hubs.

TYPES OF NETWORK

In data communication, networks can be classified based on their size, range, and purpose. Here
are the main types of networks:

1. PAN (Personal Area Network):

 A small network used for connecting personal devices such as smartphones, laptops,
tablets, and wearable devices.
 Example: Bluetooth connections between a phone and a wireless headset.

2. LAN (Local Area Network):

 LAN is a type network that covers a small geographical area like a home or office. It is
used for connecting computers and devices within a limited geographical area, allowing
for sharing resources like files, printers, and internet connections.
 Example: A network within an office or school.

3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):

 MAN is a type of computer network that covers a lager geographical area than a LAN
but smaller than a WAN i.e. city or a campus

4. WAN (Wide Area Network):

 WAN is a network that connects multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) over a broad
geographical area

5. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network):

 Is a LAN that connects devices using wireless communication within a limited area such
as home, office, campus.
 Example: A home Wi-Fi network.
6. CAN (Campus Area Network):

 CAN is a network that connects multiple Local Area Networks within a specific
geographical area such as university campus.

7. SAN (Storage Area Network):

 SAN is a specialized high-speed network designed to provide access to consolidated

block level storage. SANs are primarily used to enhance storage devices’ accessibility
 Example: Network connecting servers to storage devices in a data center.

8. VPN (Virtual Private Network):

 Range: Can extend over the internet.

 Purpose: A private network that uses public networks (such as the internet) to provide
secure connections between remote users or networks.
 Example: Employees connecting securely to a company’s internal network from a
remote location.

TYPES OF NETWORK MEDIA

In data communication, network media refers to the physical medium used to transmit signals
between devices. These are broadly categorized into guided and unguided media:

1. Guided Media:

Guided media, also known as wired media, use physical cables or wires to transmit data. The
signals are directed along a specific path.

Types of Guided Media:

 Twisted-Pair Cable:
o Consists of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic
interference.
o Common types:
 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): Used in Ethernet networks (e.g., Cat5e, Cat6
cables).
 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): Has shielding to provide extra protection from
interference.
o Use: LANs, telephone networks.
 Coaxial Cable:
o Consists of a central conductor (usually copper) surrounded by insulation, a metallic
shield, and an outer protective layer.
o Use: Cable TV networks, early Ethernet networks, and internet connections.
  Fiber-Optic Cable:
o Uses thin strands of glass or plastic fibers to transmit data as light pulses.
o Offers very high bandwidth and resistance to electromagnetic interference.
o Use: Long-distance communication, high-speed internet, and data transmission in
modern networks.

2. Unguided Media:

Unguided media, also known as wireless media, transmit data through the air without physical
cables. The signals are broadcast through the atmosphere or space.

Types of Unguided Media:

 Radio Waves:
o Used for long-range wireless communication, such as in AM/FM radio, TV broadcasting,
and mobile phones.
o Use: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G).
 Microwaves:
o Electromagnetic waves with higher frequencies than radio waves.
o Used for point-to-point communication, especially for long-distance data transmission.
o Use: Satellite communication, point-to-point communication links, cellular networks.
 Infrared (IR):
o Uses infrared light for short-range communication.
o Requires line-of-sight between the sender and receiver.
o Use: Remote controls, short-range data transmission (e.g., between devices like laptops
and printers).
 Satellite Communication:
o Uses satellites in geostationary orbits to relay signals across vast distances.
o Use: Global communications, television broadcasting, GPS systems.

Key Differences:

 Guided Media: Physical paths like cables that guide the signals along a specified route.
 Unguided Media: Wireless signals broadcast through the air, providing mobility and flexibility in
communication over long distances.

Both guided and unguided media are essential for different networking scenarios, balancing
factors like range, cost, speed, and interference resistance.