INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…

• TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

– Electronic transmission of data (text,

graphics, sound, video) over one or more of
a variety of communications channels.
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– Basic Building Blocks of a Telecommunications Network.

• Computers. Computers originate and receive the data involved.

• Communications channel (link or line).

• A communications channel forms the path over which data travel as

they pass from a sending device to a receiving device in a
telecommunications system.

• Communications Equipment: Communications equipment assists in

sending and receiving data.

• Communications Software
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
• Communication software helps control the
functions of the telecommunications system.

– These functions include:

» Establishing the available paths between sender and
receiver;
» Directing the data along the most efficient path;
» Making sure the data reach the right place;
» Checking the data for errors;
» Converting the data, if necessary, so that they will be
able to be received by different kinds of devices; and
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• Communications Channels

– Electromagnetic Radiation
• All transmission media use it! All transmission media make
use of some form of electromagnetic radiation to
communicate information.

• Radiation is emitted in the form of waves or stream of

particles that can be transmitted through space or a physical
medium like a wire.
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• Types of Transmission Media

– Twisted-Pair wire
• Oldest and most common form of transmission media
• Example, Telephone wire

– Advantages.
» Already-installed telephone lines can be used to transmit
data.
» Low installation and maintenance cost.

– Disadvantages
» Relatively slow compared to other transmission media.
» Susceptible to electrical interference that can be garble data.
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• Coaxial Cable

– Consists of copper wire surrounded by several layers of

insulation.
– Example. Cable television.

• Advantages
– Can transmit a larger amount of data at faster speeds than twisted-pair
wire (up to 200 megabits per second compared to about 10 megabits per
second for twisted-pair wire)
– Does not suffer from electrical interference.

• Disadvantage
– The layers of insulation made the cable thick and harder to install
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– Fiber Optic Cable

• A relatively new technology. Is particularly suitable

for the transmission of the large amount of data.

– Advantages
» Can carry more data at faster speeds.
» Is smaller, lighter, and more durable than wire-based
media.
» Is Unaffected by magnetic or electrical fields, thus
lower error rates.
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– Microwave transmission channels
• Long distance microwave transmission facilities can be
leased from common carriers.

– Radio Transmission channels.

• There is an increasing use of Radio channels for short-
distance voice telephone service, and it is being used by
employees who must spend a great deal of time in their cars
and away from their offices.

– Satellite transmission channel

• Communication satellites are cost effective for transmitting
large quantities of data over long distances
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• Types of lines Offered by Common Carriers

– Switched Line
• Uses a regular, public telephone.
• The communications equipment on sending end dials the
telephone number of the communications equipment on the
receiving end. The telephone switching stations choose the
actual line that is to be used.

• Example: A typical business or residence line.

– Disadvantages
» .Access to a line is not assured at peak periods.
» The quality of the line cannot be controlled because it is
chosen at random.
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• Private or Dedicated line (also called a leased line)

– Are reserved solely for one customer.

• Advantages
– Faster and better connections (communication devices).
– More secure than switched lines.
– Can often be enhanced to allow for increased data transmission speeds

• Disadvantages
– Business with lower telecommunications needs may not benefit because
the same rate is charged no matter how many calls are made.
– Customer bears the responsibility for maintaining and repairing the lines.
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• Types of signals

– Analog
– Digital
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• Integrated Service Digital Networking
(ISDN)

– Enable voice, data and images to be

transmitted simultaneously in the form of
digital signals over a single telephone line.
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• Data Transmission

– Transmission Mode.

• Asynchronous:
– One character (or byte) at a time is transmitted. Appropriate for low-speed
data communication, such as a person entering data into a computer.

• Synchronous.
– A number of characters are sent in a data packet (used when sending
contents of file to remote site), Advantage is speed and subsequent
reduced transmission costs. Disadvantage is that it requires more
expensive transmission devices. Each of blocks of characters has start
byte(s).
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• Direction of Transmission

– Simplex.
• Data can travel in only one direction Example: data collection
devices.

– Half-Duplex
• Data can travel in both directions but only one
direction at a time,
• Example; Marine radio

– Full-Duplex.
• Data can travel in both directions simultaneously. Example:
Communication between computers.
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• COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

• Modems.
– Used to convert signals from digital to analog and vice-
versa.

• Multiplexers.
– Allow users to make more efficient use of a
communication channel by enabling it to carry data from
several different sources simultaneously.

• Communication Processors
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• Communications processors are specialized devices
(often minicomputers) that are used to perform special
functions for the system.

– Front-End Processor
• A front –end processor handles communication management for the
main computer stores data in a buffer or temporary storage.

– Concentrators
• The concentrator collects and temporarily stores
data in a buffer, or temporary storage area.

– Communications Controller
• Communications controller supervise communications traffic
between the CPU and peripheral devices.
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
• TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

– Computers and other communications equipment

connected by a communication channel in such a way
that data, programs, and peripheral devices like
printers can be shared or communicated.

– Two Primary Types of networks

• Local Area networks.

• Wide Area Networks
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• LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

– A LAN is combination of hardware, software, and communications channels that

connect two or more computers within a limited area.

– Advantages

• Expensive hardware devices such as laser or color printers or large hard drivers can be
shared, lowering costs and enabling the resource to be used more efficiently.

• Provides users with access to shared programs and data files, improving work flow,
Productivity and communication within an organization.

• A LAN workstation provides users with more flexibility and functionality than a fixed-
function terminal connected to a host computer.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
– Disadvantages

• Very complicated, usually requires specially trained personnel

to manage, run and use the network.

• Tends to be less reliable and more exposed, from the

standpoint of data security, than computer running in stand-
alone mode.

• Lack the speed and memory capacity needed to tackle very

large on line transaction processing applications.
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• Components of a Typical LAN

– Desktop microcomputers (two or more), each equipped with a network interface

card that enables the microcomputers to send and receive messages through the
LAN.

– Cabling system connecting the components

– File Server as a high-speed /high capacity microcomputer or workstation (help

manage the network, processes communications, and allows users to share data,
programs and peripheral devices).

– Network operating system software; manage all activity on the network.

– Hub or repeater

– Shared peripheral devices (such as printers).

 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
• Types of LAN networks
i. Peer-to-Peer

Allow users to share resources and files located on their

computers and to access shared resources found on other
computers. Small offices with 2-15 workstations can benefit
from this type of network.

ii. Client/Server

Another method is client/server networking, this system employs

dedicated PC's or file server’s, which hold a companies
information databases in one location.
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• LAN Topology

– It is defined as the physical layout, or shape, of

a network (formed when hardware devices are
connected together.
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• Types of LAN topology

– Star Topology.

• Each device is connected to a central unit. Communication

between on device and another must go through the central
unit.

– Advantages.
» Keeps close control over data being processed on the
network.

– Disadvantages.
» If the host computer stops, the entire network will halt.
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– Bus Topology

• Each device is connected to a single, common

communications channel.

• Disadvantages
– The communications channel can handle only one
message at a time.
– When two computers transit at the same time, a “collision”
occurs.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
– Ring Topology.

• Each terminal is connected to two others via a

communications channel, forming a closed loop (circle or
ring).

• Each computer in the network can communicate directly with

any other computer through the ring.

• Ring networks avoid the data collisions that can slow bus
networks by creating an electronic signal called a “token” that
circulates around the network and must be attached to
messages being sent to other devices.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
• When a computer on the network is ready to send a message
to another, it checks the token as it passes by to see if it is
free. If it is, it captures it, attaches its message to the token,
and then transmits the data.

• When the data are received, the receiving device releases the
token back to the network.

• If a connection between any of the devices fails, the network

shuts down.

– Disadvantages
» Is sensitive to a signal link failure.
» Transmission speeds of 16 megabits per second.
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…
• Database Management Systems (DBMS)

– ADVANTAGES OF DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• Data Sharing

• Reduced Data Redundancy

• Improved Data Integrity

• Data Independence

• Increased Application Programmer and User Productivity

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY…

– Features of DBMS

• Backup and replication

• Rule enforcement

• Security

• Computation

• Change and access logging

• Automated optimization

• Meta-data repository