Definition of Data Communication

Data Communication is defined as exchange of data

between two devices via some form of transmission media
such as a cable, wire or it can be air or vacuum also. For
occurrence of data communication, communicating
devices must be a part of communication system made up
of a combination of hardware or software devices and
programs.
Data Communication System Components :
There are mainly five components of a data communication
system:
1. Message 2. Sender 3. Receiver 4. Transmission Medium 5.
Set of rules (Protocol)
Dia-Components of Data Communication
 Components of Data Communication
• 1.Message :
This is most useful asset of a data communication system. The message
simply refers to data or piece of information which is to be communicated.
A message could be in any form, it may be in form of a text file, an audio
file, a video file, etc.
• 2.Sender :
To transfer message from source to destination, someone must be there
who will play role of a source. Sender plays part of a source in data
communication system. It is simple a device that sends data message. The
device could be in form of a computer, mobile, telephone, laptop, video
camera, or a workstation, etc.
 Components of Data Communication
• Receiver :
It is destination where finally message sent by source has arrived. It is a device that
receives message. Same as sender, receiver can also be in form of a computer,
telephone mobile, workstation, etc.
• Transmission Media
• In entire process of data communication, there must be something which could act
as a bridge between sender and receiver, Transmission medium plays that part. It is
physical path by which data or message travels from sender to receiver.
Transmission medium could be guided (with wires) or unguided (without wires),
for example, twisted pair cable, fiber optic cable, radio waves, microwaves, etc.
• Set of rules (Protocol) :
To govern data communications, various sets of rules had been already designed by
the designers of the communication systems, which represent a kind of agreement
between communicating devices. These are defined as protocol. In simple terms,
the protocol is a set of rules that govern data communication.
 Fundamental Characteristics of Data
Communication
• The effectiveness of a data communications system depends on four
fundamental characteristics:
• 1. Delivery: The system must deliver data to the correct destination. Data
must be received by the intended device or user and only by that device
or user
• 2. Accuracy: Data delivered accurately. Altered data which left
uncorrected are unusable.

• 3. Timelines: The system must deliver data in timely manner without delay
(real-time).
• 4. Jitter: Jitter refers to the variation in the packet arrival time. It is the
uneven delay in the delivery of audio or video packets
 Protocol and Elements of protocol
• A protocol is synonymous with rule. It consists of a set of rules that
govern data communications. It determines what is communicated, how it
is communicated and when it is communicated. The key elements of a
protocol are syntax, semantics and timing
• Syntax
– Structure or format of the data
– Indicates how to read the bits - field delineation
• Semantics
– Interprets the meaning of the bits
– Knows which fields define what action
• Timing
– When data should be sent and what
– Speed at which data should be sent or speed at which it is being
received.
 Standards
• Advantages of Standard
• To ensure that hardware and software produced by different vendors can
work together.
• Without networking standards, it would be difficult—if not impossible—to
develop networks that easily share information.
• Standards also mean that customers are not locked into one vendor. They can
buy hardware and software from any vendor whose equipment meets the
standard. In this way, standards help to promote more competition and hold
down prices.
• The use of standards makes it much easier to develop software and hardware
that link different networks.
 Definition of Standard
• Networking standards define the rules for data communications that are
needed for interoperability of networking technologies and processes.
Standards help in creating and maintaining open markets and allow
different vendors to compete on the basis of the quality of their products
while being compatible with existing market products.
• Standards are of two types
• De facto − These are the standards that are followed without any formal
plan or approval by any organization. They have come into existence due
to traditions or facts. For example, the HTTP had started as a de facto
standard.
• De jure − These standards are the ones which have been adopted through
legislation by any officially recognized standards organization. Most of the
communication standards that are used today are de jure standards.
 Standards Organizations

Some of the noted standards organizations are

• International Standards Organization (ISO)
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• Internet Research Task Force (IETF)
• Electronic Industries Association (EIA)
 Bandwidth
• Network bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network
communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one
point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a
given amount of time
• Bandwidth works on the principle. That, higher the capacity of the
communication link, or pipe, the more data can flow through it per
second.
• bandwidth is traditionally expressed in bits per second (bps)
• Bandwidth connections can be symmetrical, which means the data
capacity is the same in both directions to upload or download data,
or asymmetrical, which means download and upload capacity are not
equal.
 Bit Rate
• Network connections can send bits very fast. We measure that speed
using the bit rate, the number of bits of data that are sent each second.
• The earliest Internet connections were just 75 bps (bits per second). These
days, connections are more often measured in Mbps (megabits per
second).
• bit rate is synonymous with data transfer rate (DTR).
• BR = D ÷ T
Where:
BR = Bit Rate
D = Amount of Data
T = Time (usually seconds)
 Baud Rate
• A baud is the number of signaling elements per second sent by a
communications device such as a modem, In theory, a modem with a high
baud rate means fast transmission. The baud rate is therefore equal to the
bit rate only if each signal element represents one bit of information .
• Baud Rate = Bit rate / the number of bit per baud
• Thus Baud Rate is always less than or equal to bit rate.
 Bit Interval
• Bit Interval :- Data can be represent by a digital signal . For Example
a 1 can be encoded as a positive voltage and a 0 can be encoded as
a zero voltage . The bit interval is the time required to send one single bit
 Transmission Modes
• Transmission mode means transferring of data between two devices. It is
also known as communication mode.
 Simplex Mode
• Simplex Mode –
In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, as on a one-way
street. Only one of the two devices on a link can transmit, the other can
only receive. The simplex mode can use the entire capacity of the channel
to send data in one direction.
Example: Keyboard and traditional monitors. The keyboard can only
introduce input, the monitor can only give the output.
 Half-Duplex Mode –

• 2. Half-Duplex Mode –
In half-duplex mode, each station can both transmit and receive, but not at
the same time. When one device is sending, the other can only receive, and
vice versa. The half-duplex mode is used in cases where there is no need
for communication in both direction at the same time. The entire capacity
of the channel can be utilized for each direction.
Example: Walkie- talkie in which message is sent one at a time and
messages are sent in both the directions.
 Full-Duplex Mode
• 3. Full-Duplex Mode –
In full-duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive simultaneously.
In full_duplex mode, signals going in one direction share the capacity of
the link with signals going in other direction, this sharing can occur in two
ways:
• Example: Telephone Network in which there is communication between
two persons by a telephone line, through which both can talk and listen at
the same time.
 Analog Signal and Digital Signal
• A signal is an electromagnetic or electrical current that carries data from
one system or network to another. In electronics, a signal is often a time-
varying voltage that is also an electromagnetic wave carrying information,
though it can take on other forms, such as current. There are two main
types of signals used in electronics: analog and digital signals.
• Analog Signal: An analog signal is time-varying and generally bound to a
range , but there is an infinite number of values within that continuous
range. An analog signal uses a given property of the medium to convey the
signal’s information, such as electricity moving through a wire. In an
electrical signal, the voltage, current, or frequency of the signal may be
varied to represent the information. Analog signals are often calculated
response to changes in light, sound, temperature, position, pressure.
• When plotted on a voltage vs. time graph, an analog signal should produce
a smooth and continuous curve.
Analog Signal
 Advantages and disadvantages of Analog
• Advantages
• Analog signals are easier to process.
• Analog signals best suited for audio and video transmission.
• Analog signals are much higher density, and can present more refined
information.
• Analog signals use less bandwidth than digital signals .
• Analog communication systems are less sensitive in terms of electrical
tolerance.
• Disadvantages
• Data transmission at long distances may result in undesirable signal
disturbances.
• Analog signals are prone to generation loss.
• Analog signals are subject to noise and distortion, as opposed to digital
signals which have much higher immunity.
• Analog signals are generally lower quality signals than digital signals.
 Applications of Analog
• Audio recording and reproduction
• Image sensors
• Temperature sensors
• Radio signals
• Telephones
• Control systems
 Digital Signal
• A digital signal is a signal that represents data as a sequence of discrete
values. A digital signal can only take on one value from a finite set of
possible values at a given time.
• Digital signals are used in all digital electronics, including computing
equipment and data transmission devices.
• When plotted on a voltage vs. time graph, digital signals are one of two
values, and are usually between 0V and VCC (usually 1.8V, 3.3V, or 5V)
 Digital Signals: Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages:
• Digital signals can convey information with less noise, distortion, and
interference.
• Digital circuits can be reproduced easily in mass quantities at
comparatively low costs.
• .Digital signal processing is more secure because digital information can
be easily encrypted and compressed.
• Digital systems are more accurate, and the probability of error occurrence
can be reduced by employing error detection and correction codes.
• Digital signals can be easily stored on any magnetic media or optical media
using semiconductor chips.
• Digital signals can be transmitted over long distances.
 Digital Signals: Advantages and Disadvantages

• Disadvantages:
• higher power dissipation
• A higher bandwidth is required for digital communication when compared
to analog transmission of the same information
• Digital systems and processing are typically more complex.

• Applications:
• Communication systems (broadband, cellular)
• Networking and data communications
• Digital interfaces for programmability
Difference Between Analog And Digital Signal

Difference Between Analog And Digital Signal

Analog Signals Digital Signals
Continuous signals Discrete signals
Represented by sine waves Represented by square waves
Human voice, natural sound,
Computers, optical drives, and
analog electronic devices are few
other electronic devices
examples
Continuous range of values Discontinuous values
Records sound waves as they are Converts into a binary waveform.
Suited for digital electronics like
Only be used in analog devices.
computers, mobiles and more.
Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Converters

• The world is analog, but signal processing nowadays is digital. The

transition between the two domains is done using analog-to-digital (A/D)
and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters.
• An analog to digital converter (ADC, A/D, or A to D) is a device that
converts a continuous physical quantity (usually voltage) to a digital
number that represents the quantity’s amplitude.In block diagram form, it
can be represented as such:
 Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog
Converters
• A DAC, on the other hand, inputs a binary number and outputs an analog
voltage or current signal.
• In block diagram form, it looks like as below:
 Fundamentals of Computer Network
• Definition of Computer Network: A computer network is a set of
computers that are connected together so that they can share
information.
Need Of Computer Network
• Communicating using email, video, instant messaging and other methods
• Sharing devices such as printers, scanners and photocopiers
• Sharing files
• Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems
• Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information
 Application Of Computer Network
• File Sharing
• Printer Sharing
• Communication
• Remote Access
• Data Protection
• Centralized Support and Attraction
 Benefits Of Computer Network
• File sharing - you can easily share data between different users, or access
it remotely if you keep it on other connected devices.
• Resource sharing - using network-connected peripheral devices like
printers, scanners and copiers, or sharing software between multiple users,
saves money.
• Sharing a single internet connection - it is cost-efficient and can help
protect your systems if you properly secure the network.
• Increasing storage capacity - you can access files and multimedia, such
as images and music, which you store remotely on other machines or
network-attached storage devices
• Storing information in one centralised database can also help you reduce
costs and drive efficiency.
• You can reduce errors and improve consistency by having all staff work
from a single source of information
 Classification Of Computer Network
• There are various types of computer networks available. We can categorize
them according to their size as well as their purpose.
• The size of a network should be expressed by the geographic area and
number of computers, which are a part of their networks. It includes
devices housed in a single room to millions of devices spread across the
world.
 Local Area Network (LAN)
• Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a
small area such as building, office.
• LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a
communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
• It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs,
network adapters, and ethernet cables.
• The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network.
• Local Area Network provides higher security.
 PAN(Personal Area Network)

• Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person,

typically within a range of 10 meters.
• Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of
personal use is known as Personal Area Network.
• Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of
the Personal Area Network.
• Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.
• Personal computer devices that are used to develop the personal area
network are the laptop, mobile phones, media player and play stations.
 MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)

• A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic

area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
• Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private
industries.
• In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone
exchange line.
• It has a higher range than Local Area Network(LAN).
 Uses Of Metropolitan Area Network:

• MAN is used in communication between the banks in a city.

• It can be used in an Airline Reservation.
• It can be used in a college within a city.
• It can also be used for communication in the military.
 WAN(Wide Area Network)

• A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical

area such as states or countries.
• A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.
• A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a
large geographical area through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or
satellite links.
• The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.
• A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government,
and education.
WAN(Wide Area Network)
 Classification of Computer Network on
basis of Architecture
• Network architecture is classified into
following categories :
 Peer-to-Peer Network
• In the P2P (Peer-to-Peer) network, “peers” generally represent computer
system. These peers are connected to each other with help of Internet. Files
might be shared directly without requirement of central server among these
systems on the network.
• In this network, tasks are allocated at each and every device available on
network. This network is very essential and important for small
environments, usually up to at least 10 computers. There is also no separate
division as clients and servers. Each and every computer in this network
are treated same and equally and might send even receive message directly.
This P2P network is generally useful in various fields such as business,
education, military, etc.
• Advantages :
• Dedicated server or centralized is not very essential, so P2P network is less
costly and is very cheaper. It is affordable.
 Peer-to-Peer Network
• P2P is very simple and not complex. This is because all computers that are
connected in network communication in an efficient and well-mannered
with each other.
• It is very easy and simple to set up and manage as installation and setup is
less painless and computer manages itself. This is because of built-in
support in modern operating systems.
 Peer-to-Peer Network
• Disadvantages :
– Security is one of major issues in this type of network. This is
because message that is sent flows freely among connected
computers.
– If computer working with some of resources is down and sharing
of resources might become major problem.
– Performance, security, and access can also become major
problem and headache with an increase in number of computers
on this network.
 Client/Server Network
• CSN (Client/Server Network) is type of computer network in which one of
centralized and powerful computers (commonly called as server) is hub to
which many of personal computers that are less powerful or workstations
(commonly known as clients) are connected. It is type of system where
clients are connected to server to just share or use resources.
• This type of network is more stable and scalable as compared to P2P
network.
 Client/Server Network
• Advantages :
• A special Network Operating System (NOS) is provided by server to
provide resources to many users that request them.
• It is also very easy and simple to set up and manage data updates. This
is because data is generally stored in centralized manner on server.
• The server usually controls resources and data security.
• This network also boosts speed of sharing resources.
• Disadvantages :
• If anyhow server goes down or crashes, entire will be affected by this.
• It is very expensive as compared to P2P. This is due to need for server
with greater memory as well as need for many networking devices such
as hubs, routers, switches, etc.
• Cost of NOS being provided is very high.
Differentiate between LAN,MAN and WAN
LAN MAN WAN

LAN stands for local area MAN stands for metropolitan WAN stands for wide area
network. area network. network.

MAN’s ownership can be While WAN also might not be

LAN’s ownership is private. private or public. owned by one organization.

The transmission speed of a While the transmission speed Whereas the transmission
LAN is high. of a MAN is average. speed of a WAN is low.

The propagation delay is short There is a moderate Whereas, there is a long

in a LAN. propagation delay in a MAN. propagation delay in a WAN.

Whereas there is more

There is less congestion in While there is more congestion congestion than MAN in
LAN. in MAN. WAN.

While MAN’s design and Whereas WAN’s design and

LAN’s design and maintenance is difficult than maintenance is also difficult
maintenance is easy. LAN. than LAN as well MAN.

There is more fault tolerance While there is less fault In WAN, there is also less fault
in LAN. tolerance. tolerance.
Differentiate between Client Server and
Peer to Peer
Client-Server Network Peer-to-Peer Network

In Client-Server Network, Clients and server are In Peer-to-Peer Network, Clients and server are not
1. differentiated, Specific server and clients are present. differentiated.

Client-Server Network focuses on information

2. sharing. While Peer-to-Peer Network focuses on connectivity.

In Client-Server Network, Centralized server is used While in Peer-to-Peer Network, Each peer has its own
3. to store the data. data.

In Client-Server Network, Server respond the While in Peer-to-Peer Network, Each and every node
4. services which is request by Client. can do both request and respond for the services.

Client-Server Network are costlier than Peer-to-Peer While Peer-to-Peer Network are less costlier than
5. Network. Client-Server Network.

Client-Server Network are more stable than Peer-to- While Peer-to-Peer Network are less stable if number
6. Peer Network. of peer is increase.

Client-Server Network is used for both small and While Peer-to-Peer Network is generally suited for
7. large networks. small networks with fewer than 10 computers.