NETWORKING AND DATA COMMUNICATION

DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN NETWORKING Remote client – refer to a computer that tries to access
Network – collection of independent entities that are resources from another computer on the network.
arranged in such a manner as to exchange data, information Remote host – refers to a computer being accessed
or resources
3. Distributed processing facilities – processing of data,
Computer network – collection of computers linked release of information and decision is centralized. Large
together using transmission media for the purpose of organizations have their own servers that stores data,
communication and resource sharing. information and other resources required for the daily
operation.
Transmission media – refers to physical or non-physical
link between two or more computer and in which a signal 4. Cost effectiveness – network greatly increases the
can be made to flow from source to destination. efficient use of scarce resources egg printers, fax
machines, optical drives, files and applications. It
Stand Alone computer – is one which is not connected to enhances daily paperless communication (e-mail), video
any other computer conferencing.

PURPOSE OF NETWORKING 5. Reliability – data can be transferred with minimum error

1. Resource sharing – a resource in the network from source to destination and incase one computer
environment means data/information, files, printers, breaks, a user can still access data and information from
modems, communication links, storage devices, fax the other computer using other computer on the network.
machine, application programs and any other components
that can be attached to the network for access by user.
Clients/workstation – computers on the network that send LIMITATIONS OF NETWORKING
request to the server 1. Security issues – data and information held on the
Network server – run a special program called the server network is prone to more illegal access threats than if the
software which controls computers on the network and listen computer was not on the network.
to client requests t service them over the network. 2. High in initial cost – the initial of buying network
hardware and software is very high
2. Remote Communication – refers to the 3. Moral and cultural effects – large network like internet
transmission of data signals between two communication have chatrooms and messaging services that enable under
devices locatedat different locations. People can be able to age children to meet peers and adults on the net some of
share ideas and pass messages over the Internet. whom may have bad intentions. E.g. access to
phonographic.

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4. Spread of terrorism and drug trafficking – the internet Multiplexing and de multiplexing - Multiplexing is the
provides a rich recruitment groud for all types of illegal process of sending multiple data signals over the same
activities such as terrorism and drug trafficking. The easy medium while de multiplexing is the process of separating
flow of information from one place to another keeps even the multiplexed signals at the receiving end. The different
those who are on the wrong side of the law data signals are made to have different frequencies on the
communication easily. cable hence they do not interfere with one another.
5. Over-reliance on networks – if by any chance the
network fails or goes down, then all system in the
organization will be brought to a halt.

Bandwidth – is the maximum amount of data that a

DATA COMMUNICATION
transmission medium can carry at any one time. E.g.
Refers to the process of transmitting data signal from one
100Mbps (Mega bits per second)
point to another through the network
Baseband signal – is a digital signal that is generated and
TERMS USED IN DATA COMMUNICATION
applied to the transmission medium directly without
Data signal – A pulse or frequency of electricity or light that
modulation.
represents data as it travels over a network, a computer
channel or wireless – data signals can either be analog or
Broadband transmission – an analog is sent over the
digital in nature. Analog data is made up of continuous
transmission medium using a particular frequency. This
varying waveform while digital data is made up of a non-
means that several data signals can simultaneously be sent
continuous discrete signal
through the same medium but at different frequencies.
Attenuation – this is the decrease in magnitude and energy
Signal modulation and demodulation – this is the process
as a signal progressively moves along a transmission
of converting data signals from one form that is suitable for
medium. Attenuation or signal loss is usually corrected by
transmission over a transmission medium. E.g. a modem
placing signal amplifiers also called repeaters stations along
converts digital signals by superimposing it on an analog
the medium at appropriate distances in order to receive the
carrier signal which can be transmitted over analog
weak signals, clean it, amplify it then retransmit it.
telephone line. This process is called modulation. A modem
at the receiving end converts the analog signals into digital
form, a process known as demodulation.

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MODES OF DATA COMMUNICATION.
The manner in which data is transmitted from one location to
another location is called data transmission mode.
Advantages of Half Duplex
 Costs less than full duplex.
There are three ways or modes for transmitting data from
 Enables for two way communications.
one location to another. These are:
(1) Simplex. Disadvantages of Half Duplex
 Costs more than simplex.
(2) Half duplex.
 Only one device can transmit at a time.
(3) Full duplex.
3. Full duplex - data can be transmitted in both directions
1. Simplex Mode - data is transmitted in only one direction. simultaneously. It is a faster mode for transmitting data
A terminal can only send data and cannot receive it or it because no time wastes in switching directions. Example
can only receive data but cannot send it. Speaker, radio of full duplex is telephone set in which both the users can
and television broadcasting are examples of simplex talk and listen at the same time.
transmission

Advantage of Full Duplex.

Advantages of Simplex  Enables two-way communication simultaneously.
 Cheapest communication method. Disadvantage of Full Duplex.
Disadvantage of Simplex  The most expensive method in terms of equipment
 Only allows for communication in one direction. because of two bandwidth channels is required.

TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORK

2. Half duplex - data can be transmitted in both directions One way to categorize the different types of computer
but only in one direction at a time. During any network designs is by their scope or scale. Common
transmission, one is the transmitter and the other is examples of area network types are:
receiver. So each time for sending or receiving data,
direction of data communication is reversed, this slow  LAN - Local Area Network
down data transmission rate. Wireless communication is  WAN - Wide Area Network
an example of half duplex.  MAN - Metropolitan Area Network

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 a) Local Area Network (LAN ) b) Logical topology shows how data flows within a
A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short network, regardless of its physical design.
distance. A networked office building, school, or home
usually contains a single LAN,
LANs are also typically owned, controlled, and managed by PHYSICAL NETWORK TOPOLOGIES.
a single person or organization.  Point-to-point
 Bus
 Star
b) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)  Ring or circular
a network spanning a physical area larger than a LAN but  Mesh
smaller than a WAN, such as a city. A MAN is typically  Tree
owned an operated by a single entity such as a government
body or large corporation. (a) Point-to-point topology

c) Wide Area Network (WAN) The simplest topology is a permanent link between two
A WAN spans a large physical distance. The Internet is the endpoints. Switched point-to-point topologies are the basic
largest WAN, spanning the Earth. A WAN is a model of conventional telephony.
geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. A network
device called a router connects LANs to a WAN. (b) Bus topology

NETWORK TOPOLOGY
It is the arrangement of the various elements (links, nodes,
etc.) of a computer or biological network.
Two basic categories of network topologies

1. Physical topologies
2. Logical topologies

a) Physical topology refers to the placement of the Each node is connected to a single cable. Each computer or
network's various components, including device server is connected to the single bus cable. A signal from the
location and cable installation source travels in both directions to all machines connected
on the bus cable until it finds the intended recipient. If the

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machine address does not match the intended address for the workstation or any other peripheral) is connected to central
data, the machine ignores the data. Alternatively, if the data node called hub or switch. The switch is the server and the
matches the machine address, the data is accepted. peripherals are the clients.
Advantages Advantages
 Inexpensive to implement since it consists of only one  Easiest topology to design and implement.
wire.  Simplicity of adding additional nodes.
 It is easy to install
Disadvantages
 The hub represents a single point of failure.
Disadvantages  It is costly because it requires one complete cable per
 High cost of managing the network. computer
 Since only one cable is utilized, it can be the single point  Installation time consuming because each node forms
of failure - when cable breaks, the entire network will be a segment of its own
down. (d) Ring network topology
 It limits the number of computers that can be connected
to the cable because each .computer is listening to the
cable in redder to transmit

(c) Star network topology

A network topology that is set up in a circular fashion in

which data travels around the ring in one direction and each
device on the right acts as a repeater to keep the signal strong
as it travels. Each device incorporates a receiver for the
incoming signal and a transmitter to send the data on to the
next device in the ring.
Advantages
 They use a short length cable
Each network host is connected to a central hub with a point-  It is simple to install
to-point connection. In Star topology every node (computer

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Disadvantages
 Modification may be difficult because adding or (f) Tree
removing a device can disrupt the entire network.
 Troubleshooting can be difficult This is a hybrid topology. Groups of star-configured
 One device or media breakdown may affect the entire networks are connected to a linear bus backbone.
network

(e) Mesh

Every node has a connection to every other node in the

network. i.e. there are many paths between different
locations.

LOGICAL TOPOLOGY
a) Ethernet topology – all computers listen to the network
media and can only send data when none of the others is
sending
Disadvantages b) Token Ring topology – a special package for data called
 The network can still operate when a node breaks token goes around the network and only the computer
down or a connection breaks whose address is on the data held in the token will take
 The network is reliable up the token to read the data and then release the token.
 Point to point connections optimize throughput of
data Elements of networking
Advantages A computer network is made up of several standard elements
 It is expensive on cable due to redundant links (components) which can be classified into four major
 Administration of the network is difficult because of categories namely:
the peer to peer connections

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  Data communication media a) Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
 Communication devices b) Shielded twisted pair (STP)
 Networking software
 Data signals A) Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) – cables do not have a
DATA COMMUNICATION MEDIA shield that prevents electromagnetic interference (EMI)
This is the pathway used for carrying data and information also called “electric noise” from the environment.
from one point to another. It can be divided into two:
Communication using cable (bounded media) B) Shielded twisted pair (STP) – a braided shield is
Wireless Communication (unbounded media) wrapped around the wires to the shield or protect them
from noise
Communication using cable (bounded media)
Data signals are transmitted from the source to the
destination through a restricted pathway. E.g. cable
Examples of bounded transmission media
 Two wire lines cables
 Twisted pair cables
 Coaxial cables
 Fibre optic cables

A) Two wire lines cables –are made up of two parallel

copper wires separated by aplatsic insulator. Used in Twisted pair cables are categorized into five groups
network to transmit voice signals. according to the type of data transmitted and maximum
rate of transmission e.g.

B) Twisted pair cables – it is made up of two solid copper

wire strands wound around each other in a double helix
manner. The winding of the wires is meant to reduce the
development of an electromagnetic field around the two
wires as they transmit data and voice signals.
The two common types of twisted pair cables are:

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The advantages of twisted pair cabling
1. Telephone systems use UTP which is present in most
buildings. This means that it is easier to set up network
media because connection is readily available
2. Installation equipment is cheap and readily available
3. It is cheap because of mass production for telephone us e

The disadvantages of twisted pair cabling

1. It suffer high attenuation
2. It is sensitive to electromagnetic interference and
eavesdropping The advantages of Coaxial cables
3. It has low data transmission rates as compared to other 1. They are stable even under high load
cables 2. They have a large bandwidth (up to 1Gbps) compare to
twisted pair
C) Coaxial cables - it has a central copper core which may 3. They can carry voice, data and video signals
be solid or stranded wires surrounded by a dielectric simultaneously
materials (insulator). The dielectric materials is then 4. They are more resistant to radio and electromagnetic
surrounded by a hollow mesh conductor which is covered interference that twisted pair cables
by a shield making the cable more resistant to
electromagnetic interference than the twisted pair cable. The disadvantages of Coaxial cables
Used in connecting different networks between buildings 1) Thick Coaxial cable is hard to work with
and routing trunk calls in telecommunication companies. 2) They are relatively expensive to buy and install
There are two types of coaxial cables: D) Fibre optic cables – it uses light to transmit data from
1) Thin coaxial cables(Thinnet) – it has one dielectric one point to another on the network. The electric signals
insulator from tyeh source are converted to light signals, tehn
2) Thick coaxial cables(Thicknet) – it has two propagated along the fibre optic cable. To convert an
dielectric insulators around the core and is thicker electric signal to light, you need a light Emitting Diode at
than the thinnet the transmitter. At the receiving end, a photosensitive
device can be used to convert the light signals back to
electric signals that can be processed by the computer.

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 1) It is immune to interference and eavesdropping
2) It is fast and supports high bandwidth
3) Large distance can be covered because it has low
attenuation
4) Cab be used in hazardous places (highly flammable)
because they do not generate electric signal
5) It is smaller and lighter that copper hence ideal for space
The fibre optic cable is made up of the core, cladding, buffer, limited situations
strength members and the jacket. The disadvantages of Fibre optic cable
a) Core – it is the central part of the cable and is made 1) Connectivity devices and the media are expensive
of a hollow transparent platic or glass 2) Installation is difficult because the cable must be
b) Cladding – this is protective layer surrounding the carefully handled
core. 3) It is relatively complex to configure
c) Buffer – it surrounds the cladding and its main Wireless communication (unbounded media)
function is to strengthen the cable It is a type of media that is used to transmit data from one
d) The jacket – it is the outer covering of the cable point to another without using physical connections.
Fibre optic cable are of two types namely: Transmitting antenna and receiver aerial facilitate the
1) Single mode fibre – has a very narrow centre core – communication. Examples of Wireless communication
has a very low attenuation rate and is preferred for media include:
long distance transmission a) Microwaves
2) Multimode fibre – it has a thicker core than single b) Satellite
mode, it allows several light rays to be fed in the c) Radio waves
cable at an angle. It has a high attenuation rated and d) Infrared transmission
are usually used for shorter distances than single e) Bluetooth technology
mode
COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Network Interface Cards (NIC) – it creates a physical link
between the computer and the transmission media. A
network interface cards is plugged into an empty expansion
slot in the motherboard. The network interface cards have
ports at the back in which the terminated end of a network
cable can be plugged.
The advantages of Fibre optic cable Modem and codec’s

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A modem is an important device in the world of A repeater receives a signal from one segment of a network,
communication. It converts a signal from digital to analog cleans it to remove any distortion, boosts it and sends it to
form for the purpose of transmission over the analog media, another segment. The repeater enables the network to
while a codec converts an analog signal to digital form for eliminate attenuation problems
transmission via digital medium.
Routers
Hubs The router interconnects different networks and directs the
A hub also called a concentrator is a component that transfer of data packets from source to destination. The
connects computers on a network and is able to relay signals router receives a packet from another router on the
from one computer to another on the same network. A hub internetwork and checks the destination’s network address. If
transmits signals by broadcasting them to all the computers the address is the same as the one on which the router is, it
on the network. passes the data packet to the destination host y reading the
Some hubs called intelligent hubs are able to monitor the host address otherwise the packet will be routed to the next
way computers are communicating n the network and keep network address.
the information in a small database of their own called a
Management Information Base (MIB) Gateways
The term broadcast storm refers t a condition where a A gateway is any device that can be configured to provide
network is overwhelmed with message broadcast due to access to wide area networks or internet. A gateway is the
malfunctioning of network interface cards or hubs related most powerful networks and internetwork connectivity
problems. device because of its ability data across different network
architectures and protocols
Bridges
This is a network device that selectively determines the Switches
appropriate network segment for which a message is meant A switch, unlike a hub forwards a packet directly to the
for delivery through address filtering. The purpose of using a address node without broadcasting. A node refers to data
bridge: terminal equipment such as a workstation or a computer on
 Extend the length and number of stations that a the network.
segment can support. A hub can be incorporated with a switch. This hub is called
 Reduce overall traffic flow by allowing broadcast switching hub.
only in the data destination segment of the network Switches are more expensive than hubs and thus one switch
A bridge makes sure that packets are not meant for a may be used as a bridge to connect several hubs in order to
particular segment are not broadcasting in that segment. reduce collision problems caused by broadcasting.
Repeaters

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Wireless communication devices This software performs the following network related
The access point and the antenna are some common device functions:
used in wireless communication. However as the cost of 1. Provides access to network resources e.g. printers and
wireless technology goes down and the quality of service folders
increases, it is becoming cost effective for companies and 2. Enables the nodes on the network to communicate with
individuals to use it. each other more efficiently
3. Supports inter process communication
 Access points (AP) 4. Respond to requests from application programs running
This type of wireless network is an entry point into a on the network
bounded network for people who have wireless devices such 5. Supporting networks services like network card drivers
as personal digital assistants(PDA’s), laptops and computers and protocols
with wireless links. 6. Implementing network security features

 Wireless antennae
the access point needs to have antennas in order to detect b) Network Protocols
signals in the surrounding. The waves can be radio waves, A protocol refers to the rules and technical procedures that
microwave or infrared waves. govern communication between different computers.

Personal computer memory card international How protocol works

association (PCMCIA) cards The data transmission process over the network has to be
A personal computer memory card international association broken down into discrete systematic steps. At each step, a
is an add-on card inserted into a device such as personal certain action takes place, each step ha sit own rules and
digital assistants or a laptop in order to enable wireless procedure as defined by the network protocols. The work of
communication between the devices and a wired network protocols must be coordinated so that there are no conflicts
server. or incomplete operations. This coordination is achieved
through protocol layering: network protocols are designed
c) NETWORK SOFTWARE after Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model
Network Software can be classified into two main groups
namely:
1. Network Operating System
2. Network Protocols
a) Network Operating System

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 d) Data signals
A signal can either be analog or digital where all messages
that are sent and received through the network must be
represented using data signal

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