Data

Communications
Topics to Be Covered

• Computer network
• Network topologies
• Internet, email
• WWW
Computer Network
• Data communication has always been important in bridging
geographical distances between users and computers and
between computers themselves.
• The evolution of communications has led to a situation where
both voice and data communication can take place effectively
over local and wide areas.
• The equipment used can either be private or public.
• What form of voice or data communication do you use at your
work place?
Computer Network
• Classification of networks;
– Usage (Voice or Data)
– Ownership (Private or Public)
– Geographical coverage (Local or Wide)
– Access (Dial up or dedicated)

• Any business may utilize a combination of several permutation of

these options.
• Lets look at Stewart Bank and see what they might be using?
Advantages of Networks
• Sharing of resources
• Scalable
• Saves money and time
• Reliable
• Increased productivity
• Allows for collaboration
Disadvantages of Networks
• Security Concerns
• Viruses and Malwares
• Lack of Robustness
• Requires skilled personnel to setup and maintain
• Lack of independence
The Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI Model)
• This defines a model of communication in which the system is composed of a stack of
seven layers.

• The OSI entities communicate in one of two modes

– Connection-mode or
– Connectionless-mode

• The use of Connection-mode, communication by entities has three phases;

– Connection establishment
– Data transfer
– Connection release

• Connection-mode transmission is appropriate for applications that call for relatively long-
lived, stream oriented interactions such as direct terminal use of remote computer, file
transfer etc.

• Connectionless-mode transmission, a single unit of date is transmitted from a source to a

destination without establishing a connection. Applications include email, etc
OSI Model Explained
OSI Model Explained
Application Layer

Is the highest layer in the OSI Reference Model and provides the sole means of access for an application
process to the environment.

Presentation Layer

Provides for the representation of information that application-entities either communicate or refer to in
their communication in a form that ensures that the information content of the data is preserved

Session Layer

Provides the co-ordination between two presentation entities to support orderly data exchange and to
release the connection in an orderly manner

Transport Layer

Provides transparent transfer between session entities and relieves them of concern with the detail of the
way in which reliable and cost effective transfer of data is achieved. It optimizes the use of the available
network services to provide the performance required by each session-entry at minimum cost
OSI Model Explained
Network Layer

Provides the functional and procedural means for connectionless-mode or connection-mode transmission
among transport entities and therefore provides the transport entities independent of routing and relaying
considerations. It provides the means to establish, maintain and terminate network connection between
open systems and hides from transport entities the way that underlying resources such as data-link
connections are used tom provides network connections

Data-Link Layer

Provides functional and procedural support for both connection and connectionless-mode
communication among network entities. A data-link connection is build up on one or more physical
connections. It also detects and possibly corrects errors which may occur in the physical layer.

Physical Layer

Provides the mechanical, electrical . Functional and procedural means to activate, maintain and
deactivate physical connections for bit transmission between data-link entities. Physical layer entities are
interconnected by means of a physical medium
Data Communication Media
• This is a physical path between the transmitter and the receiver
i.e it is the channel through which data is sent from one place to
another. Transmission Media is broadly classified into the
following types:
1. Guided
2. Unguided
Guided Media
It is also referred to as Wired or Bounded transmission media. Signals being transmitted are directed and confined in a narrow pathway by using
physical links.

• Features include High Speed, Secure, Used for comparatively shorter distances

• There are 3 major types of Guided Media:

1. Twisted Pair Cable

It consists of 2 separately insulated conductor wires wound about each other. Generally, several such pairs are bundled together in a
protective sheath. They are the most widely used Transmission Media. Twisted Pair is of two types:

a. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):

This type of cable has the ability to block interference and does not depend on a physical shield for this purpose. It is used for telephonic
applications.
I. Advantages: Least expensive, Easy to install, High speed capacity

II. Disadvantages: Susceptible to external interference, Lower capacity and performance in comparison to STP, Short distance transmission due to
attenuation

b. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP):

This type of cable consists of a special jacket to block external interference. It is used in fast-data-rate Ethernet and in voice and data
channels of telephone lines.
I. Advantages: Better performance at a higher data rate in comparison to UTP, Eliminates crosstalk , Comparatively faster

II. Disadvantages: Comparatively difficult to install and manufacture, More expensive, Bulky
Guided Media
2. Coaxial Cable

It has an outer plastic covering containing 2 parallel conductors each having a

separate insulated protection cover. Coaxial cable transmits information in two
modes: Baseband mode(dedicated cable bandwidth) and Broadband
mode(cable bandwidth is split into separate ranges). Cable TVs and analog
television networks widely use Coaxial cables.
• Advantages:
– High Bandwidth
– Better noise Immunity
– Easy to install and expand
– Inexpensive

• Disadvantages:
– Single cable failure can disrupt the entire network
Guided Media
3. Optical Fibre Cable

It uses the concept of reflection of light through a core made up of glass or plastic. The core is surrounded by a less dense
glass or plastic covering called the cladding. It is used for transmission of large volumes of data.

Advantages:
– Increased capacity and bandwidth
– Light weight
– Less signal attenuation
– Immunity to electromagnetic interference
– Resistance to corrosive materials

Disadvantages:
– Difficult to install and maintain
– High cost
– Fragile
– unidirectional, ie, will need another fibre, if we need bidirectional communication
Unguided Media
• It is also referred to as Wireless or Unbounded transmission media.
No physical medium is required for the transmission of
electromagnetic signals.
• Features:
– Signal is broadcasted through air
– Less Secure
– Used for larger distances

• There are 3 major types of Unguided Media:

Unguided Media
1. Radiowaves
• These are easy to generate and can penetrate through
buildings.
• The sending and receiving antennas need not be aligned.
Frequency Range:3KHz – 1GHz.
• AM and FM radios and cordless phones use Radiowaves for
transmission.
• Further Categorized as (i) Terrestrial and (ii) Satellite.
Unguided Media
2. Microwaves
• It is a line of sight transmission i.e. the sending and receiving
antennas need to be properly aligned with each other.
• The distance covered by the signal is directly proportional to the
height of the antenna.
• Frequency Range:1GHz – 300GHz.
• These are majorly used for mobile phone communication and
television distribution.
Unguided Media
3. Infrared

• Infrared waves are used for very short distance communication.

• They cannot penetrate through obstacles.
• This prevents interference between systems.
• Frequency Range:300GHz – 400THz.
• It is used in TV remotes, wireless mouse, keyboard, printer, etc.