UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

COURSE NAME – DATA COMMUNICATION & COMPUTER NETWORKS

COURSE CODE – CE 374

LECTURER NAME – DR SYLVESTER AKPAH

MO BI L E - + 2 3 3 2 07 5 41 6 8 4 /2 4 4 2 2 03 6 1
EM A IL – s akp ah @ u m at . e d u . gh
 COURSE PRESENTATION
The course will be presented through a combination of:
 Weekly Lectures (i.e., face-to-face lectures/VLE);
 Tutorials;
 Student led Presentations; and
 Take Home Assignments
 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives for this course are as follows:
 For students to understand the scientific principles and
concepts behind the design and organization of network
systems;
 For students to obtain hands-on experience in designing and
management of a computer network system;
 To introduce students to the fundamental types of computer
networks;
 To demonstrate the TCP/IP & OSI model merits & demerits;
and
 To know the role of various protocols in networking
 RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS
T h e fo l l o w i n g t ex t b o o k s h ave b e e n re c o m m e n d e d to e n s u re t h a t s t u d e n t s ga i n a
deeper understanding of the course:
 D a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d n e t wo r k s , c u r t M . W h i te 2 0 1 0 ;
 B e h ro u z A . Fo ro u z a n , d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d n e t wo r k i n g , 4 t h e d i t i o n . O r
later;
 A n d re w t a n e n b a u m , c o m p u t e r n e t wo r k s , p re n t i c e h a l l P T R , 4 t h e d i t i o n o r l a te r ;
 Ww w. W i k i p e d i a . C o m, C C NA t u t o r i a l s ;
 Data communications and n e t wo r k i n g , b e h ro u z A f o ro u z a n , fourth
e d i t i o n . Tm h ;
 Computer communications and n e t wo r k i n g te c h n o l o g i e s , g a l l o w, second
edition thomson; and
 C o m p u t e r n e t wo r k i n g a n d i n t e r n e t , f r e d h a l s l l , l i n g a n a g o u d a k u l k a r n i , f i f t h
edition, pearson education.
 COURSE ASSESSMENT
Data communication and computer networks will be assessed as
follows:
 Class Attendance – 10%
 Continuous Assessment (Quizzes, Assignments and Presentations) –
30%
 Final Examination – 60%
 LECTURE ONE
DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING CONCEPTS

Student learning outcomes

A f t e r g o i n g t h ro u g h t h i s l e c t u re , s t u d e n t s s h o u l d b e a b l e t o :

 Describe what data communication system is;

 U n d e r s t a n d t h e e l e m e n t s t h a t m a ke u p a d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s y s t e m ;

 Understand the factors that affect data communication; and

 D e s c r i b e t h e c h a ra c t e r i s t i c s o f n e t w o r k a r c h i t e c t u r e s : r e l i a b i l i t y, p e r f o r m a n c e a n d
s e c u r i t y.
 DATA COMMUNICATION
D a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n re f e r s t o t h e exc h a n g e o f d a t a o r i n f o r m a t i o n b e t we e n t wo o r
m o r e d e v i c e s ove r a c o m m u n i c a t i o n c h a n n e l . T h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n c h a n n e l c a n b e
w i re d o r w i re l e s s , a n d c a n ra n g e f ro m a s i m p l e c a b l e c o n n e c t i n g t wo d e v i c e s to a
c o m p l ex n e t w o r k c o n n e c t i n g m u l t i p l e d e v i c e s .

D a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n c a n o c c u r i n va r i o u s f o r m s , s u c h a s tex t , vo i c e , v i d e o , o r a ny
o t h e r t y p e o f d i g i t a l d a t a . T h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n p ro c e s s i nvo lve s t h e e n c o d i n g o f d a t a
by t h e s e n d e r, t h e t ra n s m i s s i o n o f t h e d a t a t h ro u gh t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n c h a n n e l , a n d
t h e d e c o d i n g o f t h e d a t a by t h e re c e ive r.

D a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n i s e s s e n t i a l fo r m o d e r n c o m m u n i c a t i o n s y s te m s , i n c l u d i n g t h e
i n t e r n e t , t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n n e t wo r k s , a n d c o m p u t e r n e t wo r k s . I t a l l o w s f o r e f f i c i e n t
a n d re l i a b l e exc h a n g e o f i n f o r m a t i o n , f a c i l i t a t i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d c o l l a b o ra t i o n
a m o n g i n d iv i d u a l s , o r ga n i z a t i o n s , a n d m a c h i n e s .
 DATA COMMUNICATION CONT’D
T h e e f f e c t ive n e s s o f a d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s s y s te m d e p e n d s o n f o u r f u n d a m e n t a l
c h a ra c t e r i s t i c s :  
 D e l ive r y - t h e s y s t e m m u s t d e l ive r d a t a t o t h e c o r re c t d e s t i n a t i o n . D a t a m u s t b e
re c e ive d by t h e i n t e n d e d d e v i c e o r u s e r a n d o n ly by t h a t d e v i c e o r u s e r ;
 Ac c u ra c y - t h e s y s te m m u s t d e l ive r t h e d a t a a c c u ra te ly. D a t a t h a t h ave b e e n a l te r e d i n
t ra n s m i s s i o n a n d l e f t u n c o r re c t e d a re u n u s a b l e ;
 T i m e l i n e s s - t h e sy s t e m m u s t d e l ive r d a t a i n a t i m e ly m a n n e r. D a t a d e l ive re d l a te a r e
u s e l e s s . I n t h e c a s e o f v i d e o a n d a u d i o , t i m e ly d e l ive r y m e a n s d e l ive r i n g d a t a a s t h e y
a re p ro d u c e d , i n t h e s a m e o rd e r t h a t t h e y a re p ro d u c e d , a n d w i t h o u t s i g n i f i c a n t d e l ay.
T h i s k i n d o f d e l ive r y i s c a l l e d r e a l - t i m e t ra n s m i s s i o n ; a n d
 J i t t e r - j i t te r re f e r s t o t h e va r i a t i o n i n t h e p a c ke t a r r iva l t i m e . I t i s t h e u n e ve n d e l ay
i n t h e d e l ive r y o f a u d i o o r v i d e o p a c ke t s . Fo r e xa m p l e , l e t u s a s s u m e t h a t v i d e o
p a c ke t s a re s e n t e ve r y 3 D m s . I f s o m e o f t h e p a c ke t s a r r ive w i t h 3 d - m s d e l ay a n d
o t h e r s w i t h 4 d - m s d e l ay, a n u n e ve n q u a l i t y i n t h e v i d e o i s t h e r e s u l t .
 QUALITY OF COMMUNICATION
T h e q u a l i t y o f d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n re f e r s to t h e l e ve l o f a c c u ra c y, re l i a b i l i t y, a n d
e f f i c i e n c y w i t h w h i c h d a t a i s t ra n s m i t t e d a n d re c e ive d ove r a c o m m u n i c a t i o n c h a n n e l .
T h e f o l l o w i n g a re fa c t o r s t h a t c a n a f f e c t t h e q u a l i t y o f d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n :
 B a n dw i d t h : b a n dw i d t h r e f e r s t o t h e a m o u n t o f d a t a t h a t c a n b e t ra n s m i t te d ove r a
c o m m u n i c a t i o n c h a n n e l i n a g ive n a m o u n t o f t i m e . H i gh e r b a n dw i d t h a l l o w s fo r fa s te r
a n d m o re e f f i c i e n t d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n .
 L a t e n c y : l a t e n c y i s t h e t i m e d e l ay b e t we e n t h e t ra n s m i s s i o n a n d re c e i p t o f d a t a . H i g h
l a te n c y c a n re s u l t i n s l o w a n d u n re l i a b l e d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n .
 E r ro r R a t e : t h e e r ro r ra t e i s t h e f re q u e n c y o f e r ro r s t h a t o c c u r d u r i n g d a t a
t ra n s m i s s i o n . H i g h e r ro r ra t e s c a n re s u l t i n d a t a c o r r u p t i o n a n d l o s s o f i n f o r m a t i o n .
 S i g n a l - t o - N o i s e R a t i o : s i g n a l - to - n o i s e ra t i o re f e r s to t h e a m o u n t o f s i g n a l s t re n g t h
c o m p a re d to t h e a m o u n t o f b a c k g ro u n d n o i s e i n a c o m m u n i c a t i o n c h a n n e l . H i gh e r
s i g n a l - to - n o i s e ra t i o s re s u l t i n c l e a re r a n d m o re re l i a b l e d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n .
 I n t e r f e re n c e : i n t e r f e re n c e c a n o c c u r w h e n o t h e r s i g n a l s o r d e v i c e s i n te r fe re w i t h t h e
communication channel, resulting in data loss or corruption.
 QUALITY OF COMMUNICATION CONT’D
T h e s e f a c t o r s c a n a l s o b e c l a s s i f i e d a s i n t e r n a l ly g e n e ra t e d o r a f f e c t e d by e x t e r n a l f o rc e s
I n t e r n a l f a c t o r s - I n t e r n a l fa c to r s t h a t i n t e r fe re w i t h n e t w o r k c o m m u n i c a t i o n a r e
r e l a t e d t o t h e n a t u r e o f t h e m e s s a g e i t s e l f . D i f f e re n t t y p e s o f m e s s a g e s m ay va r y i n
c o m p l ex i t y a n d i m p o r t a n c e . S o m e o f t h e i n t e r n a l f a c t o r s i n c l u d e :
 The size of the message
 The complexity of the message
 The importance of the message

E x te r n a l f a c to r s - T h e e x t e r n a l f a c t o r s a f fe c t i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n a re re l a t e d to t h e
c o m p l ex i t y o f t h e n e t w o r k a n d t h e n u m b e r o f d e v i c e s a m e s s a g e m u s t p a s s t h r o u g h o n i t s
r o u t e t o i t s f i n a l d e s t i n a t i o n . S o m e o f t h e ex t e r n a l f a c t o r s i n c l u d e :
 T h e q u a l i t y o f t h e p a t h way b e t w e e n t h e s e n d e r a n d t h e re c i p i e n t
 T h e n u m b e r o f o t h e r m e s s a g e s b e i n g t ra n s m i t t e d s i m u l t a n e o u s ly o n t h e
communication network
 The amount of time allotted for successful communication
 ELEMENTS OF A DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
A da ta co m m un ic a tio n sys te m i s re fe r re d to a s a c o m p l ex a rra n g e m e n t o f h a rdwa re ,
s o ftwa re , p ro to c o ls , a nd p ro c e du re s t h a t wo rk t o g e t h e r to t ra ns m i t da t a f ro m
s o urc e to de s tin a tio n. A da t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s sys te m h a s five c o m p o ne nt s , na m e ly :
 Me s s a g e - th e m e s s a g e i s t h e i nfo rm a t i o n ( da t a ) to b e c o m m u n i c a te d . Po p u l a r
fo rm s o f info r m a ti o n i nc l u de tex t , nu m b e r s , p i c t u res , a u di o , a nd vi de o ;
 S e nd e r - th e s e nde r i s t h e d evi c e t h a t s e nds t h e d a t a m e s s a g e . I t c a n b e a
co m p ute r, wo r ks ta t i o n, te l e p h o n e h a n ds e t , vi de o c a m e ra , a nd s o o n;
 Re ce ive r - th e re c e ive r i s t h e d ev i c e t h a t re c e ive s t h e m e s s a g e . I t c a n b e a
co m p ute r, wo r ks ta t i o n, te l e p h o n e h a n ds e t , te l evi s i o n, a nd s o o n;
 Trans mi s s io n m e d ium - t h e t ra ns m i s s i o n m e di u m i s t h e p hys i c a l p a t h by wh i c h
a m e s s a g e trave l s fro m s e nd e r to re c e ive r. S o m e exa m p l e s o f t ra n s m i s s i o n
m e dia ; a nd
 Pro tocol - A p ro to c o l i s a s e t o f r u l e s t h a t g ove rn da t a c o m m u ni c a t i o ns . It
re p re s e nts a n a g re e m e nt b et we e n t h e c o m m u ni c a t i n g d ev i c e s . Wi t h o u t a
p ro to co l, two devi c e s m ay b e c o nn e c te d b u t n o t c o m m u n i c a t i ng , j u s t a s a p e rs o n
s p e a kin g Fre nch c a nno t b e u nde r s to o d by a p e rs o n wh o s p e a ks o n ly J a p a n e s e .
 ELEMENTS OF A DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CONT’D
A typical data communication system is shown in figure 1

Fig. 1 Elements of Data Communication System

 DATA REPRESENTATION TECHNIQUES
Information today comes in different forms such as text , numbers, images, audio, and video.

 Te x t - I n d a t a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , t e x t i s r e p r e s e n t e d a s a b i t p a t t e r n , a s e q u e n c e o f b i t s ( 0 ’ s o r 1 ’ s ) .
Di fferent set s of bi t patterns have been desi gned to rep resent text symb ol s. Each set i s called a
code, and the process of representing symbols is called coding.
 N u m b e r s - N u m b e r s a r e a l s o r e p r e s e n t e d b y b i t p a t t e r n s . H o w e v e r, a c o d e s u c h a s A S C I I i s n o t
used to represent numbers; the number is d irec tly converted to a b inary numb er to simpli fy
mathematical operations.

 Images - Images are also represented by bit patterns. In its simplest form, an image is composed
of a matrix of pixels (picture elements), where each pixel is a small dot . The size of the pixel
d e p e n d s o n t h e r e s o l u t i o n . Fo r e x a m p l e , a n i m a g e c a n b e d ivi d ed into 1000 pi xels or 10,000
pixels. In the second case, there is a better representation of the image (better resolution), but
more memory is needed to store the image.
 Audio - Audio refers to the recording or broadcasting of sound or music. Audio is by nature
d ifferent from text , numbers, or images. It i s continuous, not discrete. Even when we use a
mic rophone to c hange voic e or music to an elec tric signal, we create a conti nuous signal.
 Video - Video refers to the recording or broadcasting of a picture or movie. Video can either be
produced as a continuous entity (e.g., By a TV camera), or it can be a combination of images, each
a d i s c r e t e e n t i t y, a r r a n g e d t o c o n v e y t h e i d e a o f m o t i o n . A g a i n , w e c a n c h a n g e v i d e o t o a d i g i t a l
or an analog signal.
 NETWORK COMPONENTS
Network components are the various hardware and software elements
that make up a computer network. These components work together
to enable communication and data transfer between devices
connected to the network. Two major categories of devices exist,
namely:
 
 Devices which often originate messages that comprise our
communication. These include various types of computers (a PC and
laptop icon are shown), servers etc.
 
 Devices, used to direct and manage messages across the network, as
well as other common networking symbols. These include routers,
switches, repeaters etc.
 NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS
 A n et wo rk i nte r fa c e c a rd ( N I C ) i s d e s c r i bed a s a h a rdwa re c o m po n en t t ha t
c o n ne c t s a c o m pu ter s ys tem to a n et wo rk . It is a ls o refe rred to a s a n et wo rk
a d a p ter o r ne t wo rk c a rd . Th e N I C is re s p o ns ib le fo r en a bli ng t he c o m pu ter to
c o m m un ic a te wit h ot he r d ev ic es o n t he n et wo rk by s en d in g a nd rec eiv in g d a t a
p a c ke t s .
 N I C s co m e in di f feren t t y p es a n d s p ee d s . T he mo s t co m m o n t y p es o f N I C s
i nc lu de et her ne t , w i-f i , a n d Blu eto o t h. Et he r ne t N I C s a re u s e d fo r w ire d /c a b le
c o n ne c t i on s a nd c a n s u p po r t d if fere nt s pe ed s , in c lud in g 10 m bp s , 1 0 0m bp s , a n d
1 gb ps . W i-f i NIC s a re u s e d fo r w ire les s c o n nec t io n s a n d s u p po r t d i f feren t
s t a nd a rd s, in c lu di ng 8 0 2.1 1n , 8 02 .11 a c , a n d 8 02 .11 a x .
 N I C s have a un iq ue id en t if ie r c a l led a m ed ia a c c es s c o n t ro l ( m a c ) a d d re s s . T hi s
a d d res s is us ed to id en t if y t he N I C o n t h e n et wo rk a nd is a s s ig n ed by t he
m a nu fa c t urer. T h e MAC a d d res s is a 48 -bi t va lu e t h a t is t y pi c a lly w r it ten i n
h exa d ec im a l fo r m a t .
 N I C s c a n b e c o n f ig u re d us in g s of t wa re to s e t pa ra m ete rs s uc h a s t h e I P a d d res s ,
s ub ne t ma sk , a n d d efa ul t ga teway. T h is c o nf ig ura t io n a ll ows t h e co m p u ter to
c o m m un ic a te wit h o t h er d ev i ce s o n t he n et wo rk .
 NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS CONT’D
Fig. 1.2 shows an image of different types of NICs which can be used in computer systems.

Fig. 1.2 Different Types of Network Interface Cards

 NETWORK DEVICES
Network devices are described as hardware components that facilitate the communication between devices
in a computer network. They are responsible for transmitting, receiving, and managing data across the
network. These devices transfer data in a fast, secure and correct way over same or different networks.

Network devices may be inter-network or intra-network. Described below are some examples of network
devices:

Repeater – A repeater is a network device that is used to extend the reach of a network by regenerating and
amplifying network signals. It receives a weak or degraded signal from one network segment and
retransmits the signal at a higher power level to extend the reach of the network. Repeaters work at the
physical layer of the OSI model and can be used to extend the range of both wired and wireless networks.

Fig. 1.3 A 2-port Repeater Device

 NETWORK DEVICES CONT’D
Hub – A hub is basically a multiport repeater. A hub connects multiple wires coming from different branches, for example, the
connector in star topology which connects different stations. Hubs cannot filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected
devices.  In other words, the collision domain of all hosts connected through Hub remains one.  Also, they do not have the
intelligence to find out the best path for data packets which leads to inefficiencies and wastage. Fig. 1.5 shows an image of a 6-
port hub.

Types of Hubs 
 Active Hub - These are the hubs that have their own power supply and can clean, boost, and relay the signal along with the
network. It serves both as a repeater as well as a wiring center. These are used to extend the maximum distance between
nodes.
 Passive Hub - These are the hubs that collect wiring from nodes and power supply from the active hub. These hubs relay
signals onto the network without cleaning and boosting them and can’t be used to extend the distance between nodes.
 Intelligent Hub - It works like active hubs and includes remote management capabilities. They also provide flexible data
rates to network devices. It also enables an administrator to monitor the traffic passing through the hub and to configure each
port in the hub.

Fig. 1.5 A 6-Port Hub

 NETWORK DEVICES CONT’D
Switch - A switch is a network device that is used to connect multiple devices together within a network and
allows them to communicate with each other. It works at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model and is
responsible for forwarding data packets between devices within the network.

Switches use a technique called MAC (Media Access Control) address learning to identify the devices on the
network and their corresponding MAC addresses. Each device on the network has a unique MAC address, and the
switch maintains a table that maps the MAC addresses of devices connected to its ports. When a data packet
arrives at the switch, the switch looks up the MAC address of the destination device in its table and forwards the
packet only to the appropriate port that is connected to the destination device.

Switches are commonly used in local area networks (LANs) to connect computers, printers, servers, and other
devices within the network. They provide a fast and efficient way for devices to communicate with each other, as
they can send data packets only to the intended recipient, reducing network congestion and improving
performance. Switches can also be used to segment a network into smaller, more manageable subnetworks,
improving security and reducing the scope of network issues. Fig. 1.5 shows an image of a 8-port hub.

Fig. 1.5 An 8-Port Switch

 NETWORK DEVICES CONT’D
Bridge: A bridge is a network device that connects two or more network segments together and allows them to
communicate with each other. It works at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model and is responsible for
forwarding data packets between the network segments.

Bridges use a technique called MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering to identify the devices on each
network segment and their corresponding MAC addresses. Each device on the network has a unique MAC address,
and the bridge maintains a table that maps the MAC addresses of devices connected to each network segment.
When a data packet arrives at the bridge, the bridge looks up the MAC address of the destination device in its table
and forwards the packet only to the appropriate network segment that is connected to the destination device.

Bridges are commonly used in local area networks (LANs) to connect different segments of the network and
improve network performance. By dividing the network into smaller segments, bridges can reduce network
congestion and improve network speed. Bridges can also be used to segment the network for security reasons,
preventing traffic from one segment of the network from reaching other segments.
Fig. 1.6 shows an image of a bridge.

Fig. 1.6 A 4-Port Bridge

 NETWORK DEVICES CONT’D
Gateway – A gateway is a network device that connects two or more different networks together and allows them
to communicate with each other. It works at the application layer (layer 7) of the OSI model and is responsible for
translating protocols and addressing schemes between different networks. Gateways are used to connect
networks that use different communication protocols, data formats, or architectures.

They provide a bridge between networks with different technologies, allowing devices on one network to
communicate with devices on another network. Gateways can also be used to connect networks with different
security policies, enabling secure communication between different parts of an organization or different
organizations.

For example, a gateway can be used to connect a local area network (LAN) to the internet. The gateway provides a
link between the LAN and the internet, allowing devices on the LAN to access resources on the internet and vice
versa. They are often used in large enterprise networks or in the internet infrastructure to provide connectivity
between different networks. Fig. 1.7 shows an image of a Gateway.

Fig. 1.7 A Gateway

 NETWORK DEVICES CONT’D
Router - A router is a network device that is used to connect two or more networks together and allows devices
on different networks to communicate with each other. It works at the network layer (layer 3) of the OSI model
and is responsible for forwarding data packets between networks. Routers use IP (Internet Protocol) addresses
to identify the networks and devices connected to them.

Each device on a network has a unique IP address, and routers use these addresses to determine the path that
data packets should take to reach their destination. When a data packet arrives at a router, the router examines
the destination IP address and uses its routing table to determine the next hop for the packet.

Routers are commonly used in wide area networks (WANs) and the internet to connect different networks
together. They provide a flexible and scalable way to connect networks of different sizes and technologies.
Routers can also be used to segment a network into smaller subnetworks, improving security and reducing the
scope of network issues. In addition to forwarding data packets, routers can also perform other functions, such
as filtering traffic based on various criteria, performing network address translation (NAT), and providing virtual
private network (VPN) connectivity. Fig. 1.8 shows an image of a Router.

Fig. 1.8 A Router

Lecture Questions
1) Differentiate between data & information.
2) What are the different forms in which data can be represented?
3) What are the characteristics of data communication?
4) What are the components of a data communication system?
5) What is meant by quality of communication?
6) Outline some internal and external factors that impact the quality of communication.
7) What is a network device
8) Briefly describe some network devices
9) What is a network interface card
10) What are network components
THANK YOU