Data communication

Communication is defined as a process in which more than one computer transfers information,
instructions to each other and for sharing resources. Or in other words, communication is a
process or act in which we can send or receive data.

Data flow

The data communication is divided into three types:

● Simplex Communication: It is one-way communication or we can say that unidirectional

communication in which one device only receives and another device only sends data
and devices uses their entire capacity in transmission. For example, IoT, entering data
using a keyboard, listing music using a speaker, etc.
● Half Duplex communication: It is a two-way communication or we can say that it is a
bidirectional communication in which both the devices can send and receive data but not
at the same time. When one device is sending data then another device is only receiving
and vice-versa. For example, walkie-talkie.
● Full-duplex communication: It is a two-way communication or we can say that it is a
bidirectional communication in which both the devices can send and receive data at the
same time. For example, mobile phones, landlines, etc.

Communication Channels

Communication channels are the medium that connects two or more workstations. Workstations
can be connected by either wired media or wireless media. It is also known as a transmission
medium. The transmission medium or channel is a link that carries messages between two or
more devices. We can group the communication media into two categories:

● Guided media transmission

● Unguided media transmission
1. Guided Media: In this transmission medium, the physical link is created using wires or cables
between two or more computers or devices, and then the data is transmitted using these cables
in terms of signals. Guided media transmission of the following types:

1. Twisted pair cable: It is the most common form of wire used in communication. In a
twisted-pair cable, two identical wires are wrapped together in a double helix. The twisting of the
wire reduces the crosstalk. It is known as the leaking of a signal from one wire to another due to
which signal can corrupt and can cause network errors. The twisting protects the wire from
internal crosstalk as well as external forms of signal interference. Types of Twisted Pair Cable :
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): It is used in computers and telephones widely. As the name
suggests, there is no external shielding so it does not protects from external interference. It is
cheaper than STP.
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): It offers greater protection from crosstalk due to shield. Due to
shielding, it protects from external interference. It is heavier and costlier as compare to UTP.
2. Coaxial Cable: It consists of a solid wire core that is surrounded by one or more foil or wire
shields. The inner core of the coaxial cable carries the signal and the outer shield provides the
ground. It is widely used for television signals and also used by large corporations in building
security systems. Data transmission of this cable is better but expensive as compared to twisted
pair.

3. Optical fibers: Optical fiber is an important technology. It transmits large amounts of data at
very high speeds due to which it is widely used in internet cables. It carries data as a light that
travels inside a thin glass fiber. The fiber optic cable is made up of three pieces:

● Core: Core is the piece through which light travels. It is generally created using glass or
plastic.
● Cladding: It is the covering of the core and reflects the light back to the core.
● Sheath: It is the protective covering that protects fiber cable from the environment.

2. Unguided Media: The unguided transmission media is a transmission mode in which the
signals are propagated from one device to another device wirelessly. Signals can wave through
the air, water, or vacuum. It is generally used to transmit signals in all directions. Unguided
Media is further divided into various parts :

1. Microwave: Microwave offers communication without the use of cables. Microwave signals
are just like radio and television signals. It is used in long-distance communication. Microwave
transmission consists of a transmitter, receiver, and atmosphere. In microwave communication,
there are parabolic antennas that are mounted on the towers to send a beam to another
antenna. The higher the tower, the greater the range.

2. Radio wave: When communication is carried out by radio frequencies, then it is termed radio
waves transmission. It offers mobility. It is consists of the transmitter and the receiver. Both use
antennas to radiate and capture the radio signal.

3. Infrared: It is short-distance communication and can pass through any object. It is generally
used in TV remotes, wireless mouse, etc.

Types of area networks – LAN, MAN, and WAN

● LAN stands for local area network. It is a group of network devices that allow
communication between various connected devices. Private ownership has control over
the local area network rather than the public. LAN has a short propagation delay than
 MAN as well as WAN. It covers smaller areas such as colleges, schools, hospitals, and
so on.
● MAN stands for metropolitan area network. It covers a larger area than LAN such as
small towns, cities, etc. MAN connects two or more computers that reside within the
same or completely different cities. MAN is expensive and should or might not be owned
by one organization.
● WAN stands for wide area network. It covers a large area than LAN as well as a MAN
such as country/continent etc. WAN is expensive and should or might not be owned by
one organization. PSTN or satellite medium is used for wide area networks.

Network Models

A peer-to-peer network is a simple network of computers. It first came into existence in the late
1970s. Here each computer acts as a node for file sharing within the formed network. Here each
node acts as a server and thus there is no central server in the network. This allows the sharing
of a huge amount of data. The tasks are equally divided amongst the nodes. Each node
connected in the network shares an equal workload. For the network to stop working, all the
nodes need to individually stop working. This is because each node works independently.

Features of P2P network

● These networks do not involve a large number of nodes, usually less than 12. All the
computers in the network store their own data but this data is accessible by the group.
● Unlike client-server networks, P2P uses resources and also provides them. This results
in additional resources if the number of nodes increases. It requires specialized
software. It allows resource sharing among the network.
● Since the nodes act as clients and servers, there is a constant threat of attack.
● Almost all OS today support P2P networks.
● P2P Network Architecture
● In the P2P network architecture, the computers connect with each other in a workgroup
to share files, and access to the internet and printers.
● Each computer in the network has the same set of responsibilities and capabilities.
● Each device in the network serves as both a client and server.
● The architecture is useful in residential areas, small offices, or small companies where
each computer act as an independent workstation and stores the data on its hard drive.
● Each computer in the network has the ability to share data with other computers in the
network.
● The architecture is usually composed of workgroups of 12 or more computers.

Client-Server Model

The Client-server model is a distributed application structure that partitions task or workload
between the providers of a resource or service, called servers, and service requesters called
clients. In the client-server architecture, when the client computer sends a request for data to
the server through the internet, the server accepts the requested process and deliver the data
packets requested back to the client. Clients do not share any of their resources. Examples of
Client-Server Model are Email, World Wide Web, etc.
Advantages of Client-Server model:

Centralized system with all data in a single place.

Cost efficient requires less maintenance cost and Data recovery is possible.
The capacity of the Client and Servers can be changed separately.
Disadvantages of Client-Server model:

Clients are prone to viruses, Trojans and worms if present in the Server or uploaded into the
Server.
Server are prone to Denial of Service (DOS) attacks.
Data packets may be spoofed or modified during transmission.
Phishing or capturing login credentials or other useful information of the user are common and
MITM(Man in the Middle) attacks are common.