Computer Communications
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This document discusses computer communications and networking. It introduces how early civilizations used primitive communication methods like drums and smoke signals, which have been replaced by electronic communication. A computer network allows computers to communicate efficiently by connecting them together. The document then discusses different types of computer networks like LAN, MAN, WAN and their topologies. It also discusses the basic elements required for networking like network services, transmission media and protocols. Common network services like file services, print services and message services are explained. The document concludes with discussing data communication and digital transmission.
Computer Communications
- 2. Introduction • Communication is the desire of man. When human voice became inadequate, ancient civilizations devised drum codes and smoke signals to send information to far off distances. • These primitive methods have given way to sending messages through electronic pulses. • A stand-alone computer communicates very efficiently by connecting it with other computers.
- 3. Introduction continues… • Data in a computer is transmitted to another computer located across continents almost instantaneously using telephone, microwaves or radio links. • The long distance communication link between a computer and a remote terminal was set up around 1965. • Now networking has become a very important part of computing activity.
- 4. Network • A large number of computers are interconnected by copper wire, fiber optic cable, microwave and infrared or through satellite. • A system consisting of connected nodes made to share data, hardware and software is called a Computer Network.
- 5. Some Important Reasons for Networking i. Sharing of resources: Primary goal of a computer network is to share resources. For example several PCs can be connected to a single expensive line printer. ii. Sharing information: Information on a single computer can be accessed by other computers in the network. Duplication of data file on separate PCs can be avoided.
- 6. iii. Communication: When several PCs are connected to each other, messages can be sent and received. From a remote location, a mobile salesman can relay important messages to the central office regarding orders. Relevant databases are updated and the business commitments are fulfilled. Some Important Reasons for Networking
- 7. Applications of Network The following are the areas where computer networks are employed. 1. Electronic data interchange 2. Tele-conferencing 3. Cellular telephone 4. Cable Television 5. Financial services, marketing and sales 6. Reservation of Airlines, trains, Theatres and buses
- 8. 7. Telemedicine 8. ATM 9. Internet banking Several educational institutions, businesses and other organizations have discovered the benefits of computer networks. Users can share data and programmes. They can co-operate on projects to maximize the usage of available expertise and talent. Applications of Network
- 9. Benefits of Network Effective handling of personal communications. Allowing several users to access simultaneously Important programs and data. Making it easy for the users to keep all critical data on shared storage device and safeguard the data. Allowing people to share costly equipment.
- 10. The computer communication should ensure safe, secure and reliable data transfer. Safe : The data received is the same as the data sent. Secure : The data being transferred cannot be damaged either will fully or accidentally. Reliable: Both the sender and the receiver knows the status of the data sent. Thus the sender knows whether the receiver got the correct data or not.
- 11. Types of Network The following are the general types of networks used today. 1. Local Area Network (LAN) 2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) 3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
- 13. Local Area Network A network connecting systems and devices inside a single building or buildings close to each other is called Local Area Network (LAN). Generally LANs do not use the telephone network. They are connected either by wire or wireless. Wired connection may be using twisted pairs, coaxial cables or Fiber Optic cables. In a wireless LAN, connections may be using infrared or radio waves. Wireless networks are useful when computers are portable. However, wireless network communicates slowly than a wired network.
- 14. Local Area Network • The number of Computers in the network is between two to several hundreds. • LAN is generally used to share hardware, software and data. • A computer sharing software package and hard disk is called a file server or network server.
- 15. MAN and WAN • A Network that spans a geographical area covering a Metropolitan city is called Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). • A WAN is typically two or more LANs connected together across a wide geographical area. • The individual LANs separated by large distances may be connected by dedicated links, fiber optic cables or satellite links.
- 16. Network Topology The network topology is the structure or layout of the communication channels that connects the various computers on the network. Each computer in the network is called a node. There are a number of factors that determine the topology suitable for a given situation. Some of the important consideration is the type of nodes, the expected performance, type of wiring (physical link) used and the cost. Network can be laid out in different ways. The five common topologies are star, ring, bus, hybrid and FDDI.
- 17. Star network In a star network all computers and other communication devices are connected to a central hub. Such as a file server or host computer usually by a Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables.
- 18. Ring Network In a ring network computers and other communication devices are connected in a continuous loop. Electronic data are passed around the ring in one direction, with each node serving as a repeater until it reaches the right destination. There is no central host computer or server.
- 19. Bus Network In a bus network all communication devices are connected to a common cable called bus. There is no central computer or server. The data transmission is bidirectional.
- 20. Hybrid Network: A hybrid network is a combination of the above three networks suited to the need. FDDI Network: A FDDI network (pronounced as fiddy short for Fiber Distributed Data Interface) is a high- speed network using fiber optic cable. It is used for high tech purposes such as electronic images, high-resolution graphics and digital video. The main disadvantage is its high cost.
- 21. Basic Elements in Networking All networks require the following three elements 1. Network services: Network services are provided by numerous combinations of computer hardware and software. Depending upon the task, network services require data, input/output resources and processing power to accomplish their goal.
- 22. Basic Elements in Networking 2. Transmission media: Transmission media is the pathway for contacting each computer with other. Transmission media include cables and wireless Technologies that allows networked devices to contact each other. This provides a message delivery path. 3. Protocols: A protocol can be one rule or a set of rules and standards that allow different devices to hold conversations.
- 23. Common Network Services The following common network services are available. 1 File Services: Those are the primary services offered by the computer networks. This improves the efficient storage and retrieval of computer data. The service function includes. File transfer –Rapidly move files from place to place regardless of file size, distance and Local operating system.
- 24. File storage and data migration – Increasing amount of Computer data has caused the development of several storage devices. Network applications are well suited to control data storage activity on different storage systems. Some data becomes less used after certain time. For example higher secondary examination result posted on the web becomes less used after a week. Such data can be moved from one storage media (say hard disc of the computer) to another, less expensive media (say an optical disk) is called data migration.
- 25. File update synchronization – Network service keeps track of date and time of intermediate changes of a specific file. Using this information, it automatically updates all file locations with the latest version. File archiving – All organizations create duplicate copies of critical data and files in the storage device. This practice is called file archiving or file backup. In case of original file getting damaged, Computer Operator uses the Network to retrieve the duplicate file. File archiving becomes easier and safe when storage devices are connected in the Network.
- 26. Print services Network application that control manage access to printers and fax equipments. The print service function includes Provide multiple access (more than one user, use the network) – reduce the number of printers required for the organization. Eliminates distance constraints – take a printout at a different location. Handle simultaneous requests – queue print jobs reducing the computer time. Share specialized equipments-Some printers are designed for specific use such as high- speed output, large size formals or colour prints. Specialised equipments may be costlier or may not be frequently used by the user, when numerous clients are using the network, printer use is optimized. Network fax service – Fax service is integrated in the network. The computer in the network sends the digital document image to any location. This reduces the time and paper handling.
- 27. Message services Message services include storing, accessing and delivering text, binary, graphic digitized video and audio data. Unlike file services, message services deal actively with communication interactions between computer users applications, network applications or documents.
- 28. Application Services Application services are the network services that run software for network clients. They are different from file services because they allow computers to share processing power, not just share data. Data communication is the process of sending data electronically from one location to another. Linking one computer to another permits the power and resources of that computer to be tapped. It also makes possible the updating and sharing of data at different locations.
- 29. • Co-ordinating Data Communication • The device that coordinates the data transfer is called Network interface card • (NIC). NIC is fixed in the computer and communication channel is connected to it. • Ethernet, Arcnet and token ring are the examples for the NIC. Protocol specifies the • procedures for establishing maintaining and terminating data transfer. • In 1978, the International Standards organization proposed protocol known as • open system interconnection (OSI). The OSI provided a network architecture with seven • layers. Fig.6.5 gives the seven layers and the respective functions. This architecture • helps to communicate between Network of dissimilar nodes and channels.
- 30. • Forms of Data Transmission • Data is transmitted in two forms • 1. Analog data transmission • 2. Digital data transmission • Analog data transmission is the transmission of data in a continuous waveform. • The telephone system, for instance, is designed for analog data transmission. Analog • signals are sometimes modulated or encoded to represent binary data. • Digital data transmission is the widely used communication system in the world. • The distinct electrical state of ‘on’ and ‘off’ is represented by 1 and 0 respectively. • Digital data transmission as shown in Fig.6.6 is faster and more efficient than analog. • All computers understand and work only in digital forms