Chapter - 4

Data Communication and Networking

Data communication is a process of sharing ideas, information and messages with

others in particular time and space.
The basic components are:

 Computers (Input & Output Devices)

 A communication channel (Media)

 A communication Equipment ( Intermediate Device)

 Data transmission specifications ( Network rules & Procedures)

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A computer network is a group of computers and associated peripheral devices connected
by a communication channel.
Benefits of a Computer Network
 Linking computers into networks provides benefits in the following areas:
 Hardware sharing like printer
 Software sharing.
 File sharing e.g.: - Assignment is found on server.
 Central disk storage – dedicated file server
 Administrative support
 E-mail services
 Internet access 2
 Types of computer Networks

a. local area network (LAN)

• LAN is a computer network that spans a relatively small area.
• one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves.
• Confined to building group of buildings
• It is confined to limited geographical area (< 2km) like with in a building, in lab, in school, etc.
• It allows easy access to other computers or peripherals (because there is only short distance between
computers).
• It uses higher bandwidth (1 Mbps) & cheep cable media like coaxial.
• Ranges from two computers up to 1000 computers with a limited distance
b. Metropolitan area network (MAN)
• Metropolitan area network (MAN) covers a much larger area than a LAN.
• is a public or a private network used to connect various locations, including the sub urban
• It is an interconnection of several LANs e.g.: if your organization has several branches in different cities.
• It uses expensive cables (media) – fiber optic.
Eg. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to other branches in different cities (Adama and Hawasa
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C. WAN
• A WAN is a computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area.
• WAN consists millions or more local area networks (LANS) which can communicate to each other and access
internet (global networks).
• Computers connected to a wide area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone
system.
• They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.
• The largest WAN in existence is the internet.
• The idea of connecting computers within a target Geographical area like between
• Countries & b/n Continents
• Uses fiber optic cables, microwaves, & satellite (wireless Technology), Telephone line, modem etc.
E.g. Global Area network (GAN) -> Internet
• E-mail services and chatting

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Network Media
• Data signal must enter and leave a computer at a point to allow networked communication to occur.
• The data signal travels through transmission media.
• Transmission media is a medium or a material through which data can be transmitted over the long
distances.
• The speed or rate at which data is transmitted over a communication channel is denoted by a parameter
called bandwidth.
Transmission media is categorized as:
 Bounded (Guided) transmission media
 Unbounded (Unguided) transmission media

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Guided Transmission Media
 Guided transmission media uses a cabling system that guides the data signals along a specific path.
 Coaxial cable
 Twisted-pair cable
 Fiber-optic cable
Unguided Transmission Media
 consists of a means for the data signals to travel but nothing to guide them along a specific path.
 Infrared:- uses infrared light signals
 Radio Frequency:- uses low frequency density range
 Microwave:- uses high frequency radio signals

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 Network Topologies
• A network topology is the arrangement of computers, cables, and other components on a network.

a. Bus

• In a bus topology, all of the computers in a network are attached to a continuous cable, or segment, that connects them in
a straight line

b. Star

• In a star topology, cable segments from each computer on the network are connected to a central component, or hub

c. Ring

• In a ring topology, computers are connected on a single circle of cable

d. Mesh

• In a mesh topology, each computer is connected to every other computer by a separate cable

e. Hybrid

• In a hybrid topology, two or more topologies are combined to form a complete network design. Networks are rarely
designed using only one type of topology. 7
Components that enable you to expand the network

 Modem
 Router
 Hub
 Switch
 Bridge
 Repeater
 Gateway

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Network Protocols
• Like network needs hardware, it also needs software. Because each task in network is governed by a set of
rules called protocols.

Ex:
 HTTP:-is hypertext transfer protocol which helps to communicate two computers application.

 TCP/IP:- Transport control protocol (internet protocol).

Without TCP/ IP, there is NO internet access

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 CHAPTER FIVE
Internet and its applications
 It is possible to connect these small networks (LANs) within an organization or between
organization using different methods depending on distance, efficiency etc.
 Intranet
Connections of networks, communicating using (TCP/IP) the protocols of the Internet, within
an organization where by the organization have an overall authority (control) of the media.
 Extranet
The interconnection of Intranets, based on an agreement between organizations for the
purpose of sharing resources.
 Internet
The network of networks that connects hundreds of thousands of networks, and millions of
computers around the world.
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Uses of Internet are:
Browsing information from world wide web (WWW)
Electronic mail (E-mail)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Telnet to any Internet Host-remote login
USE NET and So on.

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WWW is:

• A set of protocol and software that allows the global computer network called the
Internet to display multimedia documents.

• The information on WWW is spread over computers all over the world.

• WWW is sometimes called web.

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Language of the internet - Terminologies
 Web Page: A single Web document

 Web Browser: The piece of software that runs on your computer.

 Web Site: A set of Web pages that are logically connected.

 Home Page: The starting, introductory or welcome page for a Web site.

 Link, Hot Link, Hyper Link: A part of a Web page that can be clicked to get somewhere else.

 Hypertext: Text that can contain links.

 HTML: Stands for Hypertexts Markup Language.

 URL: Stands for Uniform Resource Locator Server.

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Requirements for Internet connection
Hardware Requirements -Dial up connection

 A computer with a serial port for modem or computer with built in modem

 Modem

 Cables, and cable connector (RJ – 11 )

 Telephone line

Hardware Requirements –Broad band connection

 A computer with NIC- Network interface card

 Cables, and cable connector (RJ-45)

 Intermediary devices (hub or switch)

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Software Requirements- both for dial up and broadband
 Windows XP (OS)

 Browser or (Internet Explorer)

 Some additional software (MS – outlook 2000, yahoo Messenger, etc)

 An account with an Internet Access Provider

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