Computer Network

When two or more computers are connected with each other for data communication, it is known
as computer network.

Types of computer network;

LAN (Local Area Network).

LANs connect computers and communication devices in a limited physical area, such as a business
office, laboratory, or university campus, by means of links (wires, Ethernet cables, fiber
optics, Wi-Fi).

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

It is a network of computers and resources set up in a large geographical area that can range from
50 km to around 60 km. MANs are usually several LANs connected together. They are used in a
group of buildings, a town or even a city. MANs are larger than LANs but smaller than WANs.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

WANs connect computers and smaller networks to larger networks over greater geographic areas,
including different continents. They may link the computers by means of cables, optical fibres,
or satellites, but their users commonly access the networks via a modem (a device that allows
computers to communicate over telephone lines). The largest WAN is the Internet, a collection of
networks and gateways linking billions of computer users on every continent.

Data Transmission Modes in a network?

Data Transmission mode defines the direction of the flow of information between two
communication devices. It is also called Data Communication or Directional Mode. It specifies
the direction of the flow of information from one place to another in a computer network.

The data transmission modes can be characterized in the following three types based on the
direction of exchange of information:

1. Simplex

2. Half-Duplex
 3. Full Duplex

They are further classified as following two mode on the basis of number of bits sent/received in
the network.

a) Serial

b) Parallel

1. Simplex

Simplex is the data transmission mode in which the data can flow only in one direction, i.e., the
communication is unidirectional. In this mode, a sender can only send data but can not receive
it. Similarly, a receiver can only receive data but can not send it.
This transmission mode is not so popular because we cannot perform two-way communication
between the sender and receiver in this mode. It is mainly used in the business field as in sales
that do not require any corresponding reply. It is similar to a one-way street.

For Example, Radio and TV transmission, keyboard, mouse, etc.

Following are the advantages of using a Simplex transmission mode:

1. It utilizes the full capacity of the communication channel during data transmission.

2. It has the least or no data traffic issues as data flows only in one direction.

Following are the disadvantages of using a Simplex transmission mode:

1. It is unidirectional in nature having no inter-communication between devices.

2. There is no mechanism for information to be transmitted back to the sender(No

2. Half-Duplex

Half-Duplex is the data transmission mode in which the data can flow in both directions but in
one direction at a time. It is also referred to as Semi-Duplex. In other words, each station can
both transmit and receive the data but not at the same time. When one device is sending the other
can only receive and vice-versa.
In this type of transmission mode, the entire capacity of the channel can be utilized for each
direction. Transmission lines can carry data in both directions, but the data can be sent only in
one direction at a time.

This type of data transmission mode can be used in cases where there is no need for
communication in both directions at the same time. It can be used for error detection when the
sender does not send or the receiver does not receive the data properly. In such cases, the data
needs to be transmitted again by the receiver.

For Example, Walkie-Talkie, Internet Browsers, etc.

Following are the advantages of using a half-duplex transmission mode:

1. It facilitates the optimum use of the communication channel.

2. It provides two-way communication.

Following are the disadvantages of using a half-duplex transmission mode:

1. The two-way communication can not be established simultaneously at the same time.

2. Delay in transmission may occur as only one way communication can be possible at a
time.
3. Full-Duplex

Full-Duplex is the data transmission mode in which the data can flow in both directions at the
same time. It is bi-directional in nature. It is two-way communication in which both the stations
can transmit and receive the data simultaneously.

Full-Duplex mode has double bandwidth as compared to the half-duplex. The capacity of the
channel is divided between the two directions of communication. This mode is used when
communication in both directions is required simultaneously.

For Example, a Telephone Network, in which both the persons can talk and listen to each other
simultaneously.

Following are the advantages of using a full-duplex transmission mode:

1. The two-way communication can be carried out simultaneously in both directions.

2. It is the fastest mode of communication between devices.

Following are the disadvantages of using a half-duplex transmission mode:

1. The capacity of the communication channel is divided into two parts. Also, no dedicated
path exists for data transfer.
 2. It has improper channel bandwidth utilization as there exist two separate paths for two
communicating devices.

Serial Mode
The Serial data transmission mode is a mode in which the data bits are sent serially one after the
other at a time over the transmission channel.

It needs a single transmission line for communication. The data bits are received in
synchronization with one another. So, there is a challenge of synchronizing the transmitter and
receiver.

In serial data transmission, the system takes several clock cycles to transmit the data stream. In
this mode, the data integrity is maintained, as it transmits the data bits in a specific order, one
after the other.

This type of transmission mode is best suited for long-distance data transfer, or the amount of
data being sent is relatively small.
For Example, Data transmission between two computers using serial ports.

Following are the advantages of using a serial transmission mode:

1. It can be used for long-distance data transmission as it is reliable.

2. The number of wires and complexity is less.

3. It is cost-effective.

Following are the disadvantages of using a serial transmission mode:

1. The Data transmission rate is slow due to a single transmission channel.

Parallel Mode
The Parallel data transmission mode is a mode in which the data bits are sent parallelly at a
time. In other words, there is a transmission of n-bits at the same time simultaneously.

Multiple transmission lines are used in such modes of transmission. So, multiple data bytes can
be transmitted in a single system clock. This mode of transmission is used when a large amount
of data has to be sent in a shorter duration of time. It is mostly used for short-distance
communication.
 For n-bits, we need n-transmission lines. So, the complexity of the network increases but the
transmission speed is high. If two or more transmission lines are too close to each other, then
there may be a chance of interference in the data, degrading the signal quality.

For Example, Data transmission between computer and printer.

Following are the advantages of using a parallel transmission mode:

1. It is easy to program or implement.

2. Data transmission speed is high due to the n-transmission channel.

Following are the disadvantages of using a parallel transmission mode:

1. It requires more transmission channels, and hence cost-ineffective.

2. Interference in data bits, likewise in video conferencing.

Hence, after learning the various transmission modes, we can conclude that some points need
to be considered when selecting a data transmission mode:

 Transmission Rate.

 The Distance that it covers.

 Cost and Ease of Installation.

 The resistance of environmental conditions.

What is Network Bandwidth?

The network bandwidth is the amount of information that passes from one point to another in a
given amount of time. Bandwidth can be measured in Bit per second or hertz.

In Networking bandwidth is one of the important elements. It can be difficult to understand.

One of the few understanding;

 Bandwidth is like the width of a pipe.

 Bandwidth is like the number of lanes on highways.

 Bandwidth is like the quality of sound in an audio system.

In networking, throughput refers to the actual amount of data transferred by the network or to the
measured bandwidth at a given time.

Bandwidth and throughput differ slightly. Data bandwidth measures how much data can flow
through an actual network path, while data throughput measures the amount of data successfully
transferred by the network at a specific time or day.

Bandwidth and Throughput can be determined on the basis of

How important is Bandwidth?

When it comes to determining the quality and speed of a network or internet connection, bandwidth
plays a crucial role. The higher the bandwidth, the faster and more efficient your internet will be.