Assignment of AICT

Title: Guided and Unguided Media and Network

Devices

Submitted to: Dr. Faria

Submitted by
Sehar Naseem 24251161086
Khadeeja Jillani 24251161053
Fatima Farooq 24251161032
Ayesha Zaib 24251161025

BS-1 English Language and Literature

Lahore College For Women University

 Guided media

⚫ Guided media refers to a type of transmission medium that uses a physical path
such as wires or cables to guide the data signals from one device to another.
⚫ All the devices are connected directly with each other through physical media
such as cable or wire
⚫ It is also called bounded media because the signals are confined within a specific
pathway.
⚫ Guided media is used in wired communication systems such as telephones,
LANs, and cable TV.
⚫ Guided media provides high-speed data transmission, especially when using
optical fiber cables.
⚫ Data transmission through guided media is more secure and harder to intercept
than wireless signals.
⚫ For short-distance communication like in homes or offices, it is cost-effective
and easy to manage.
⚫ Installation and maintenance can be complicated and expensive, especially for
long-distance wiring.
⚫ The cables used in guided media are prone to physical damage, such as cuts,
bends, or wear over time.
⚫ It is not suitable for mobile or temporary setups, where wireless solutions offer
more flexibility.

Types of Guided Media

Twisted Pair Cable:

⚫ The cable you plug into your computer for internet (called an Ethernet cable) is
also a twisted pair cable.
⚫ Twisted pair copper wires are also used in Ethernet LAN cables within homes
and offices.
⚫ It is the most used media across the world. All the local telephone exchanges are
made of twisted pair copper. These telephone lines are reused as last mile DSL
access links to access the internet from home.

Coaxial Cable:

⚫ This is the round cable used for cable TV. It connects your television to the wall
socket or a set-top box.
⚫ It is also used in some internet connections.

Optical Fiber Cable:

⚫ These are special cables that use light to send data.

⚫ They are used in high-speed internet like JioFiber or Airtel Fiber and in
undersea cables that connect different countries for fast communication.
 Unguided media

⚫ It refers to the transmission of data or signals through free space (air or vacuum)
without using any physical conductor like wires, cables, or fibers.
⚫ Data signals are not bounded to cabling media therefore it is also known as
unbounded media
⚫ In unguided media, information is sent through electromagnetic waves, which
travel through the atmosphere or space and are received by antennas or other
wireless receivers.
⚫ It uses antennas to transmit and receive signals.
⚫ It can cover short or long distances, depending on the frequency and power.
⚫ It Commonly used for mobile, satellite, and Wi-Fi communication.
⚫ It is easier and quicker to install since no physical cables are required..
⚫ Scalable and flexible, making it easy to expand or modify the network
⚫ The transmission rate is lower than the physical medium, i.e., microwave
transmission, satellites, and mobile communication.
⚫ Less secure, as signals travel through open space and can be intercepted or
hacked
⚫ Connection can be unstable, especially in crowded areas with many wireless
devices.

Types of unguided media

Radio Waves

• Radio waves travel through the air without the need for physical conductors
like wires.
• Radio waves can travel long distances, making them suitable for broadcasting
and communication over large areas.
• Radio waves are typically propagated in all directions, meaning the
transmitting and receiving antennas don’t need to be perfectly aligned.
• They are commonly used in FM/AM radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

Microwaves

• Microwave signals typically travel in a straight line, requiring a clear path

between the transmitting and receiving antennas.
• Microwaves operate within the frequency range of 1 GHz to 300 GHz.
• They are used in mobile phone communication, satellite systems, and
microwave tower links.

Infrared Waves

• They are used for short-range communication and cannot pass through walls.
• They are high-frequency electromagnetic waves, which means they have a lot
of energy.
• Infrared waves have a frequency range of 300 GHz to 400 THz.
• They are commonly used in TV remote controls, wireless mouse, and
keyboards.
 Network device

HUB

• A hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple devices in a

network and forwards data to all connected devices.
• Hub used in star topology as central device .
• It is a multi-port repeater
• Sends incoming data to all ports regardless of the destination.
• All devices share the same bandwidth, which can lead to collisions and slow
network performance.
• Suitable for small, simple networks where security and performance are not a
concern.

SWITCH

• Switch is a more advanced device that connects devices in a LAN and

forwards data only to the specific device it’s intended for.
• When one computer sends data, the switch looks at the address and sends it
only to the correct device—not to everyone.
• This keeps the network fast and prevents confusion, unlike a hub which
sends

MODEM

• A Modem stands for Modulator-Demodulator – it converts digital signals to

analog and vice versa.
• It connects directly to the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to access the internet
• A modem allows internet access but does not distribute it to multiple devices.
• It uses a telephone line or cable connection to bring the internet into your
home.

ROUTER

• A Router is used to connect multiple devices (phones, laptops, etc.) to the

internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• It manages data traffic, ensuring smooth internet usage across all connected
devices.
• The router is connected to the modem, then sends the internet to other devices.
• A router cannot access the internet on its own – it shares the connection from
the modem.
Difference between Hub and Switch

HUB SWITCH

A hub is a basic networking device that A switch is a more advanced device that
connects multiple computers in a network connects computers in a network and sends
and sends data to all connected devices. data only to the intended recipient.

When a hub receives data, it broadcasts it to When a switch receives data, it checks the
every device on the network, whether they MAC address and sends the data only to the
need it or not correct device.

A hub is slower because of more traffic and A switch is faster because it directs data
collisions more accurately. (no unnecessary traffic)

Hubs are less secure since all data is sent to Switches are more secure because data is
every connected device. sent only to the target device

A hub does not store any information about A switch stores MAC addresses in a table
the devices connected to it. (called a MAC address table) to know where
to send data

A hub is a passive device, meaning it does A switch is an active device that manages
not manage any traffic. and controls traffic effectively.

Hubs are usually cheaper and simpler to use. Switches are more expensive, but they offer
better network performance and reliability.

In a network using a hub, more collisions In a network using a switch, collisions are
occur, especially in larger networks minimized, even in larger networks.