DATA

COMMUNICATION AND
COMPUTER
NETWORKS
IT 111: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Contents
 Overview of Telecommunication systems.
 Types of data transmission:
 Modes of data transmission,
 Data traffic flow and co-ordination.
Contents……
 Introduction to computer networks.
 Network topology.
 Types of computer networks.
 Client and Peer to peer LAN Architecture;
 Computer networks hardwires/ accessories.
 Type of computer networks medium
 Why computer need to be networked?
 Network application
Data communication
 Data communication is the transfer or
transmission of data/ messages from one point to
another.
 The data being transmitted involves text, images,
audio, video, multimedia data.
Basic elements of
communication systems.
 The communication system consists of three basic
elements, which are:-
1. Sender (Source): A sender creates message to
be transmitted.
2. Medium: Carries message from source to
destination.
3. Receiver (Destination): Receives transmitted
message from the source.
Basic elements of
communication systems.

Medium Destination/
Receiver
A simplified
communications model
Types of data transmission
 Data transmission can be categorized into two types
based on the number of bits sent simultaneously in
the network.
1. Serial (Synchronous and Asynchronous).
2. Parallel
Types of data
transmission………
1. PARALLEL DATA TRANSMISSION
 Parallel transmission requires multiple communication
lines.
 All bits of data are transmitted simultaneously on
separate communications line.
 In order to transmit n bits, n lines (wires) are used.
 Thus, each bit has it’s own line.
 Parallel transmission is used over a short distance.
Types of data transmission………
2. SERIAL DATA TRANSMISSION
 Serial transmission requires only one communication
line to transmit data.
 In serial, bits of data are transmitted one after
another
 Thus, all bits are transmitted on single line in a serial
manner.
 It is used over a long distance.
Modes of data transmission
 Transmission mode defines direction of flow of
information between two communication devices.
 Hence, there is three modes of data transmission
based on the direction of exchange of information,
which are:-
1. Simplex
2. Half-Duplex
3. Full-Duplex
Modes of data
transmission……
1. Simplex
 Is the one in which communication takes place in
only one direction.
 Example broadcast system (Radio and Tv).

2. Half-Duplex
 communication takes place in both directions, but
only in one direction at a time.
 Example Wireless.

3. Full-Duplex: allows information to flow simultaneously

in both directions. Example Telephone.
Modes of data
transmission……

A diagram to describe the modes of transmission
Computer networks
 A computer network is an interconnected group of
computers and computing equipment using either
wires or radio waves that can share data and
computing resources.
 Computer networks that use radio waves are termed
wireless
 Node: A device, usually a personal computer
connected to a computer network.
 Topology: A physical layout of a network.
Network topology
 Network Topology: Describes how computers are
arranged in a network.
 The network topology includes:-
 Star topology
Bus topology
Ring topology
Mesh topology
Network topology…….
 Star Topology
 In this topology, each
device (Node) is
connected to a central
device called Hub.
 All devices
Hub
communicate through
the hub
i.e they can not
communicate to each
other
Network topology……
 Star Topology……
In this topology, any connection failure of a node
will not affect the overall system.

But the failure of a Hub will eventually affect the

whole network.
Network topology……
 Bus Topology
Bus topology has a single
line to which all other
nodes are attached.
Nodes are connected
using a main cable
through drop lines
 if one node fails, does
not affect the rest of the
network
Main Cable
Network topology……
 Ring Topology
Each computer is
connected with the two
devices on either side.
Ring network links all
nodes in a circular chain
forming a ring thus called
a ring.
 Connection failure of
any device affects whole
system(network).
Network topology……
 Mesh Topology
In mesh topology, each
device is connected to
every other device on
the network through
dedicated point-to-
point link.
Each node must be
linked or connected to
another.
Network topology……
 Mesh Topology
Since every node must be connected to each other,
if a network has n nodes, the each computer is
connected to (n-1) devices.
Number of link (cables) for n computers = n(n-2)/2.
 Hence, it uses a lot of cables.
Types of computer networks
 Depending on the coverage, there are three basic
types of network, which are:-
 Local Area Network (LAN).
 Wide Area Network (WAN).
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
Types of computer
networks……
 Local Area Network (LAN).
Is a group of computers connected to each other in
a small area such as a Building or Office.
Or is a kind of a network that cover small/ limited
geographical area.
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
Is a network that extends over a large geographical
area such as State, Country or Continent.
It is quite bigger than LAN
Example Internet.
Types of computer
networks……
 MAN
Covers larger geographical area by
interconnecting different LANs to form a larger
network.
It is relative larger than LAN but smaller than
WAN
i.e it is intermediate.
LAN Architecture
 There are two ways to organize the resources in
networking, which are:-
 Peer to Peer Networking
The one in which group of computers communicate directly
with each other, rather than through a central server
Ring and mesh topology fall under this category.
 Client/ server Networking
The one in which group of computers communicate a
central server.
It involves a server, the computer that controls the
network
Star topology falls under this category.
Network
hardware/accessories
S/N DEVICE NAME DESCRIPTION OR FUNCTION
1 Hub Centralized device that connects multiple devices in a
single LAN
2 Switch Just like a Hub, connects multiple devices on a LAN
3 Bridge Divides larger network into smaller segments
4 Router Connect different network segments.

5 Patch panel Used to organize UTP cables Systematically

6 Proxy Hide internal networks from the outside

7 Gateway Forward packets originated from local host, intended for
remote networks.
8 Modem Device that is used to connect to the internet.
9 Network Converts data packets between two different data
Interface Card transmission technologies.
(NIC)
Computer network medium
 In Computer networks, the transmission media is
broadly classified into two categories that are
 Guided media and
 Unguided media.

The basic difference between guided and unguided

media is that in the guided media, the signal travels
through a physical medium (Wired) whereas, in
unguided media, the signal travel through the air
(Wireless).
Guided media
 Guided transmission media are more commonly
known as the wired communication or bounded
transmission media.
 The electromagnetic signals travel between the
communicating devices through a physical
medium/conductor. As the medium for transmission is
a physical conductor, it also provides direction to the
signal.
 But there are physical limitations of the conductor in
the guided media. Like the length of the conductor,
its installation cost, its maintenance, etc
Guided media……
 The guided media is categorized further into three
categories that are
twisted-pair cable,
coaxial cable and
fiber-optic cable.
(To be discussed).
Why computer need to be
networked?
 Computer need to be networked due the following
reasons:-
1. Sharing of information(i.e Data communication).
2. Sharing of hardware or software (e.g sharing of a
printer).
3. Centralize administration and support.
Network application
 Electronic mail
 Voice mail
 Facsimile Technology (FAX)
 E – Commerce
 Instant banking
 Video conferencing etc.
Reading assignment
 In your groups discuss the following questions.

1. Advantages and disadvantages of each network

topology discussed.
2. Distinguish synchronous from asynchronous data
transmission
THANKS