Computer Network

Data Communication

Transmitting data and information is called data communication.

Data transmission needs a connection between a sender and a receiver. Creating such a
connection is called networking.
Basic components required for data communication
• Sender / Source – the person or the object which sends data
• Medium – medium used to transmit data (telephone wires / wireless)
• Receiver/ destination – the person or the object which receives data

Data Transmission Modes

There are several modes of data transmission between sender and receiver.
1. Simplex
2. Half-Duplex
3. Full Duplex
Simplex Mode
Data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver only. Getting print outs, watching television,
and listening to radio can be given as examples
Half- duplex Mode
Here, data is transmitted to one direction at a time. This means after data is transmitted from
sender / source to the receiver, the receiver can transmit data back to the sender / source.
Browsing internet to get information and walkie-talkie used by security forces can be given as
examples.

Full Duplex Mode

Data is transmitted to both sides at the same time is called Full duplex. Telephone conversation
is an example for full duplex mode communication.

Computer Network
Computer networks are created with the aim of sharing resources among two or more computers.
In this manner we can use a printer, CD/DVD rider in common.
The simplest form of creating a network is connecting two computing devices with a cable. Any
device that is connected to a network is called a NODE. A printer or a modem or a computer can
be considered as a node.
Common Network Elements
A computer network is consist of many different parts.
 Server
  Client
 Modem
 NIC
 Switch/ Hub
 Repeater
 Router
 Bridge
 Firewall

Server
The computer that shares resources is called a server

Client
The other computers that use the resources shared by the server is called a client

Switch/Hub
Switch/Hub acts as the mediator to build a connection between two or more computers. A
guided/wired transmission media is used. One end is connected to port in the computer and the
other end is connected to the port in the Switch / Hub.
Differences between the switch and hub
• The main difference is the data transmission speed. Hub sends the transmitted data to all
computers but switch sends data to the relevant computer only. Here hub may create an
unnecessary network data congestion.
• In data transmission, hub uses half duplex mode and the switch uses full duplex mode.

Router
Router is the device used to build a connection between two or more computer networks. It is
also called a Gateway. This finds out the most suitable ports for data transmission in network
communication.

Modem
The modem is used to connect the computers of a computer network or a personal computer at
home to the internet. The modem acts as a data translator. Digital signals sent from the computer
is translated to analog signals and the analog signals send to the computer from the internet is
translated to digital signals. This is called MOdulation and DEModulation. Hence, ‘MODEM’ is
a combination of these two words. There are different types of MODEMs. Those are internal,
external and wireless modems. Today’s routers have a modem inbuilt in the device.

There are several modems

 Internal Modem
 External Modem
 Wireless Modem
Differences between modem and router
A router can provide internet service for a computer network while a modem provide the internet
facility only for one computer.
A router is being dial up and a modem is not.

Bridge
A bridge is used to partition a network, when the signal become so weak with the enlargement of
the network.

Repeater

This is used to develop the signals that has become weak.

Network Interface Card (NIC)
NIC has an RJ45 port and is built into the mother board in modern computers. In the port NIC
was a separate code to be plugged to the mother board.
Firewall
Firewall is a network security. Instructions to control the data and instruction transmission
between internet and computer network are built into the system. A firewall operates as a secured
barrier between internet and network. Firewalls exist in both forms as software and hardware.

Wireless Fidelity - Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi adapter has become the most popular media in computer networking. This allows the users
to build a computer network easily and internet connections for mobile phones and laptop
computers using radio waves.

NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEMS

The software that operate the network is called a network operating system.
• Windows NT
• Linux
• Unix
• Ubuntu
• Solaris
• Netware
Data Transmission Media
This is another important feature when creating connections among systems. There are two types
of data transmission medium. Those are called Guided/Wired and Unguided/Wireless.

Guided / Wired
If the medium used for data transmission is a physical medium, it is called guided or wired. Here
a special type of wire is used. There are 3 types.
1. Twisted pair wire
2. Coaxial cable
3. Fiber optics
Twisted Pair
Pairs of twisted copper wire are used for data transmission. There are two types.
1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
The twisted copper wire pairs used for telephone connections. These are very flexible and low-
priced. However, it is difficult to transmit data for a long distance through UTP wires. It is
suitable for maximum of 100 meters.
2. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
STP is a better quality and secure data transmission medium. However it is expensive.
Advantages
A cheap system
Disadvantages
Can’t transmit data for long distances
Disturbances occurs from electromagnetic rays
Coaxial Cable
This consists of an electronic cable pair. The outer cable which is like a braided copper net
produces electromagnetic field around the central cable. These two cables are separated by a
plastic shield. These cables are expensive and used for TV antenna and CCTV.

Advantages
Data communication is much speed
Can transmit data in high capacities
Disadvantages
Disturbances occurs from electromagnetic rays
Fiber Optics cable
Fiber Optics cable consists of a pair of an cables. There is a plastic jacket to separate the two
cables. Core is a glass tube and there is glass cladding around it. (Figure 2.66). The data
transmission is carried out by while reflecting light. These are used in modern telephone
networks. The cable is relatively more expensive.
RJ45 Connector
A connector that used to connect different devices with 8 terminals. 2 methods are used to
connect the cable.
• Strait
• Cross Over
Unguided/Wireless Media
Data is transmitted as signal through the air without using physical medium is called
unguided/wireless media.

Radio waves
Data transmission is performed using radio waves. It is a must to connect the receivers to the
computing device. The frequencies that used should not make any disturb to the other radio
waves emits from those economical centers. Usually the transmission can be done about 500
feats. Wifi and Bluetooth are examples for radio waves based communication.

Infrared
Low frequency light rays can be used to transmit data. Infrared data transmission is used in TV
remote controllers, wireless keyboards and mouse etc.
Microwaves
Microwaves travel in a linear mode. Transmission center is positioned facing each other. The
distance between centers are decided based on geographical factor of the area. Microwaves are
used in Satellite communication to transmit data as transponders. Satellite centers, which are
positioned in the sky above 36000 km, capture data transmitted as microwaves through satellite
towers positioned in the Earth and then transmit the data back to the required tower. Using this
method, data can be transmitted to any distance. This is also used in internet communication.
Satellite transmission

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This can be introduced as the best method for data transmission among the
countries all around the world. These satellites are placed in the orbit about
36000km far away from the Earth and one satellite covers 2/3rd of the Earth
surface. Therefore the data transmission through satellites is more efficient
and can keep trust of 100%.
Advantages:
Can transmit data in high capacities
Data transmission is more express
Disadvantages:
Initial cost is so high
Having a risk of security of data
Main types of computer networks
Computer networks can be classified according geographical distribution of computers in the
network.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN connects computers inside a room or several rooms in a building. A computer network
built in a school, university, a small scale business or an office can be given as examples.
Metropolitan Area Network - (MAN)
MAN is a combination of several Local Area Networks which covers less than 16 miles.
Examples include banking networks, institutes and universities with branches.
Wide Area Network - WAN
These networks cover a wide area. This can be within or outside a country. The best example for
WAN is the Internet.
Network Topology
Network topology is the pattern of connection in designing computer network. There are
different types of network topologies.
• Star Topology
• Bus Topology
• Ring Topology
• Tree Topology
• Mesh Topology
 Star Topology
This is a commonly used design and built by centralizing a switch/hub and computers.
Advantages:
Suitable for data transmissions in large amounts
Can add new nodes to the network easily
Disadvantages:
Have to spend a large cost
The total network breaks down if the center node is
destroyed.

Bus Topology
Here, all the connections are established through a main cable. This cable is called the backbone
because any issue with the network affects all the computers in the network. This design is easy
in networking and fewer cables are required. However, a limited number of computers can be
connected.

Advantages:
Have to spend a low cost
Networking is too easy
Disadvantages:
Low speed
Total system breaks down if the center cable is distroyed
The no. of nodes that can be connected is limited

Ring
Here, computers are positioned in a ring/bangle and connected through cables. Data or
information move in a circular manner.
Advantages:
Have to spend a low cost
Networking is too easy

Disadvantages:
Low speed
The no. of nodes that can be connected is limited
The breakdown of one computer or cable can lead to the breakdown of the entire network.
Tree Topology
Tree topology has characteristics of both bus and star topologies. In this design several star
topologies are connected to a bus backbone cable. One of the advantages of this is the ability to
control each network individually.
Mesh Topology
All the computers in the network are connected with each other. Since this is a complex
connection pattern, it is costly and difficult to control. However, a breakdown of one computer
does not affect the connections in the network. Mesh networking can be found on internet.

Advantages:
Can connect to the network from other parts of the network if one part of the network broken
down.

Disadvantages:
Cost is high
Difficult to control

Data transmission types

Data transmission can be done in two ways.
1. Serial data transmission
2. Parallel data transmission
Serial data transmission
In computer networks data are transmitted as bits. Here those data are transmitted bit by bit. So
usage of one wire for data transmission is enough.

Parallel data transmission

Here all the bits are transmitted at once along different Medias. For that few wires are used. At
least 8 wires are used for this purpose most of all the time.
Data Transmission Speed

No. of bits that transferred with a second is taken as the speed of the data transmission. (bits per
second-bps) To measure data transmission, kbps (kilobits per second), Mbps (megabits per
second) and Gbps (gigabits per second) are used as units.
Advantages of networking
Speed
Files can be shared so quickly even if they are in another country far away
from us within few seconds or minutes according to its mass.
Time is saved.
Cost
The licensed software are more expensive. When a software is sharing in a
network through a server it is less cost consuming than maintaining software
separately in different computers.
Security
Only the authorized clients can access the server computer. Data and information
in a network can be made secure.
Ability to share resources
The devices like printer, scanner and modem can be connected to network and
shared by multiple users.
e-mail
E-mail is a convenient method of sharing information between computers.
Flexibility
The files that are relevant to a certain company can be shared among the network.
No need to carry files from place to place
Ability to connect database files easily
The user can easily connect to the databases from a node through the network.
(Withdrawal of deposited money from another branch of the bank)
Calculation work groups
Individual persons that are related to a certain company can connect to the network
from any place for a documentation.
Disadvantages of Networking
In some topologies, breakdown of a computer or a cable can affect the function of the other
computers of the network.
Destroying data with the breakdown of the network
Unable to retrieve data with the breakdown of the network
Used software malfunctioning with the destroy of the server
Service of the user depends on the network
Network can be destroyed by the hackers
User should have a special training on using a networked system