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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