Data

Communication
and Computer
Network
Unit 6

Prepared by:
Anil Thapaliya
MCA (VTU)
 Data Communication
Data Communication is a process of exchange of
data between two devices via some transmission
media.
Data communication system is made up of a
combination of hardware and software program.

Purpose
To be able to send data to another end.

Examples
Telephone, Walkie-Talkie, Pager, Cell phones,
Computer
Components – Communication
System
Sender
Receiver
Message
Text, file, audio, video
Transmission Medium
Cables, optical fibers, radio wave, microwave
Rules (Protocols)
SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, IP, TCP, UDP
 Data Transmission Modes

Modes of transmission define the direction of signal flow between two devices or systems.
These modes specify how data is transmitted and received over a communication medium.

Data Transmission
Modes

SIMPLEX HALF-DUPLEX FULL DUPLEX

 Simplex Mode

Data is sent in only ONE direction; from sender to

receiver.
The receiver cannot send back data to its sender.

Applications
Television or Radio broadcasting
Live broadcasting
Computer Monitor
Microphone and Speaker
 Half Duplex Mode

Data can flow in both directions, but not

simultaneously.
Receiver waits for sender and then only it can send
back.

Applications
Walkie-talkies
Two-way Radio Systems
 Full Duplex Mode

Data can flow in both directions simultaneously.

Both devices can send and receive data at a same
time.

Applications
Telephone, mobile phone
Audio/Video calls
Browsing, chatting
 Data Transmission Speed

It is the rate at which data is transmitted over a

communication medium.
It is measured in bits per second (bps/Kbps/Mbps).
Different communication systems support different
transmission speeds, which are categorized into:

Narrowband
Voiceband
Broadband
 Narrowband

It operates within a limited frequency range and

supports low data transmission speeds.
It supports upto 56 Kbps or lower.
It has a limited frequency range; 300 Hz to 3kHz.
Used for low-speed communications.

Applications
Early telephone lines
Radio communication systems
AM/FM radio.
Walkie-talkies
 Voiceband

It is a subset of narrowband used primarily for voice

transmission.
It supports upto 64 Kbps or lower.
It has a limited frequency range; 300 Hz to 3kHz.
Used for low-speed communications, primarily used
for human speech communication.

Applications
Telephone lines
Dial-up internet connections
Fax Machine
 Broadband

It is used for all possible kinds of data transmission.

It supports speed from 1 Mbps and above.
Used for high-speed communications.
It supports multiple kinds of data such as voice,
text, video, files etc.
E.g., ADSL, Cable Internet, Optical Fiber, Wi-Fi

Applications
HD video calls
Streaming services (Audio/Video/Movies)
Online gaming
Browsing
 Data Transmission Media

The transmission media are the base materials that

transfer data from one device to another.
The medium can be wired or wireless.
The choice of medium depends on factors like
speed, distance and interference.

Twisted-pair Cable
Coaxial Cable
Optical Fibers
Microwave System
Communication Satellite
 Twisted-pair Cable

Twisted pair cables consist of pairs of insulated

copper wires twisted together.
It is one of the oldest and most used transmission
media in communication systems.
Types: Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) and
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP).
Pros:
Cost-effective and easy to install
Suitable for short to medium distance transmission.
Cons:
Signal weakened as distance grows
Limited Bandwidth
 Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cables consist of a central conductor

(usually copper), surrounded by an insulating layer,
a metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer.
They offer better shielding from external
interference than twisted pair cables.
Pros:
Higher bandwidth and longer distance
transmission.
Better resistance to Electromagnetic Interference.
Cons:
More expensive and thicker cable.
Careful handling is required.
 Optical Fiber

Optical fiber consists of a thin glass or plastic core

surrounded by a layer that reflects light back into
the core.
Light signals are transmitted through the fiber,
offering very high-speed communication.
Pros:
Extreme high bandwidth and longer distance
transmission.
Immune to Electromagnetic Interference.
Cons:
Expensive to install and maintain.
Fragile and can be damaged easily.
 Microwave System

Microwave transmission uses high-frequency radio

waves to transmit data over long distances, typically
in a line-of-sight path.
This technology is used for point-to-point
communication links.
Pros:
High data transmission rate and can cover longer
distances.
Used in cell phone comm and TV broadcasting.
Cons:
Requires clear line of sight between transmitter and
receiver.
Weather degradation can cause signal degradation.
 Communication Satellite

Communication satellites relay signals between ground

stations in different locations.
Satellites are placed in geostationary or low Earth orbit
and provide long-range communication capabilities.
Pros:
Enable global communication, specially in remote and
rural areas.
Used widely in radio, TV, weather forecasting.
Cons:
Expensive to launch and maintain.
Signal latency due to longer distances.
Requires large and expensive ground-based
infrastructure.
 Computer Network

Computer Network is a collection of interconnected

devices that communicate with each other to share
information.
The devices can be computer, phone, server, router
etc.

Categories
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
Campus Area Network (CAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Personal Area Network (PAN)

PAN is a small network designed for personal use.

It is typically available within a room or a
workspace.
It connects devices like smartphone, laptop, tablet,
printer, smartwatch etc.

Range: Small area, with few meters

Usage: To exchange data over short distance with low
power consumption
Example: Bluetooth devices, wireless keyboard/mouse
 Local Area Network (LAN)

LAN is network of computers and devices within a

limited area, such as a home, office, or campus.
It connects computers and other devices within a
building or a small group of buildings.

Range: Small area, with few hundred meters

Usage: To share data on file server, printer server
Example: Ethernet, Wi-Fi networks.
 Campus Area Network (CAN)

CAN is similar to a LAN but designed to cover a

larger area, such as a university campus, a large
business campus, or a research facility.
It connects several LANs within a limited
geographical area.

Range: From few hundred meters to kilometers

Usage: Used in educational institutions, large
enterprises, or industrial facilities to connect networks
in different buildings or departments.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

MAN is a network designed to cover a larger

geographic area than a LAN but smaller than a
WAN, typically spanning a city or a large campus.
It connects multiple LANs within a specific area,
such as a town or city.

Range: From few kilometers to tens of kilometers

Usage: Used by large companies or municipalities to
provide internet access and share their data.
 Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN is a large network that covers a vast

geographical area, often spanning multiple cities,
countries, or even continents.
It connects multiple LANs and MANs, facilitating
communication over long distances.

Range: Typically spans large areas, from hundreds to

thousands of kilometers.
Usage: Used for global communication, connecting
users and organizations across vast distances.

The most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet.

 Network Topologies

Topology defines a structure of network of how all the

components are connected to each other.
The different components are called nodes, links or
devices. The devices can be computer, router, phone,
tablet etc.
Such formation of nodes allows data sharing between
the nodes.
Types:
Point to point topology
Bus topology
Ring topology
Star topology
Tree topology
Mesh topology
Hybrid topology
Point-to-point Topology
A node is directly connected to another node.
It represents a simple form of communication.

Bus Topology
All the nodes are connected to a common cable known
as a backbone cable.
It is bidirectional. If the backbone fails, entire network
fails.
Advantages:
Adding a new node is easier and cheaper.
Twisted-pair or coaxial cables are used.
Disadvantages:
Whole system crashes, if the main cable breaks.
Network traffic can cause data collision.
Ring Topology
The nodes are connected to each another in such a
way that it forms a shape of a ring.
The data flows in unidirectional manner.
It is inexpensive and reliable.
Failure of a node causes whole network down.

Star Topology
All the nodes are connected to a common device (hub,
switch) and sometimes also a server.
Failure of a node doesn’t bring the whole network
down, but if a hub is down, the network fails.
More nodes can be installed easily.
Tree Topology
This topology combines the concept of Bus
Topology and Star Topology.
The nodes in a tree structures are connected in a
hierarchical fashion, quite complex layout.
The top node is called root and others child nodes.
Less chance of network failure, but high cost.

Mesh Topology
All the nodes are inter-connected to each other.
Very low failure rate. Communication is very fast.
It doesn’t contain switch or hub. Mainly used for
wireless networks.
The internet is an example of Mesh topology.
 Intranet, Extranet, Internet
An Intranet is a private, internal network used
within an organization. It is typically used for
sharing information, resources among employees.
Access to the intranet is restricted to authorized
users, usually within the organization’s network.
An Extranet is a private network that extends part
of an organization's intranet to external partners,
vendors, or selected users. It allows for secure
communication and data sharing with its external
users.
The Internet is a global network of interconnected
computers and servers that enables public access to
websites, services, and other online resources. It is
open to anyone with a device and internet
connection, providing vast amounts of information
and communication platforms.
 Email
Electronic Mail (Email) is a method of exchanging
digital messages over internet.
It allows users to send and receive text, images, and
other types of data.
Email is widely used for both personal and
professional purpose.
Emails are fast, convenient and accessible means of
communication.

Key Components of an Email

Sender, Receiver, Subject, Body, Attachment,
Signature
 Email Service Providers
Personal Email
Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook etc.
Business Purpose
For small sized organizations; G Suite, Zoho Mail
Enterprise-Level Service
For large sized organizations; Microsoft Exchange,
Amazon Workmail
Email Marketing/Transactional Email
Mailchimp, SendGrid, Brevo