Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1
 Lecture Topics

• Data Communications
• Data Flow (Simplex, Half-Duplex, Full-Duplex)
• Networks (Topology)
• Network Performance
• Types of Networks
• The Internet
• Network Protocols

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 1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS
The term telecommunication means communication at a
distance. The word data refers to information presented
in whatever form is agreed upon by the parties creating
and using the data. Data communications are the
exchange of data between two devices via some form of
transmission medium such as a wire cable.

Topics discussed in this section:

 Components of a data communications system
 Data Flow

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 Figure 1.1 Components of a data communication system

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 Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex)

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 1-2 NETWORKS

A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes)

connected by communication links. A node can be a
computer, printer, or any other device capable of sending
and/or receiving data generated by other nodes on the
network. A link can be a cable, air, optical fiber, or any
medium which can transport a signal carrying
information.
Topics discussed in this section:
 Network Criteria
 Physical Structures
 Categories of Networks

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 Network Criteria

 Performance
 Depends on many factors such as no. of user, type of
transmission medium, connected hardware
 Measured in terms of Delay and Throughput
 Reliability
 Failure rate of network components
 Measured in terms of availability/robustness
 Security
 Data protection against corruption/loss of data due to:
 Errors
 Malicious users

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 Network Criteria

 Throughput refers to the rate at which data is

successfully transmitted over a communication channel
in a given amount of time
 Measured in bits per second
 High network traffic can reduce it due to collisions and
delay
 Delay: refers to the time it takes for a data packet to
travel from the source to the destination in a network.
It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms)

1.8
 Task

 Scenario: You are the IT manager for a small business

that has been experiencing slow internet speeds and
delays during video conferencing and file transfers. The
business uses a basic network setup with a single router
and a few switches connecting the computers

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 Physical Structures

 Type of Connection
 Point to Point - single transmitter and receiver
 Multipoint - multiple recipients of single transmission
 Physical Topology
 Connection of devices
 Type of transmission - unicast, mulitcast, broadcast

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 Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint

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 Topology

 Network topology refers to the

physical arrangement or layout
of different elements (links, nodes,
etc.) in a computer network.

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 Figure 1.4 Categories of topology

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 Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh topology (five devices)

• every node is
connected to
every other node
• Total
communication
links n(n-1)/2
• Every node will
have n-1 ports

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 Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four stations

• In a star topology,
each device has a
dedicated point-to-
point link only to a
central controller,
usually called a hub.

• Less expensive as
compared to mesh

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 Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting three stations

• where all devices (computers, printers,

etc.) are connected to a single central
cable, also called the "bus" or
"backbone.“
• Data broadcast to all devices but only
recipient accepts it
• Less expensive as requires less cable

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 Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six stations
In a ring topology, each device has a
dedicated point-to-point connection
with only the two devices on either side
of it.

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 Figure 1.9 A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus networks

The combination of
one or more
topologies such as
star, ring, bus..
Is called a hybrid
topology

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TASK Choosing a Network Topology

Scenario: You are tasked with setting up a small office network for a team of 10
employees who will be working on shared documents and conducting video calls.
The office has limited space and budget.

•Choose a suitable network topology for this small office.

•Briefly explain why you chose this topology, considering factors like cost, ease
of setup, and reliability.
•List the devices you would need to implement this topology

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 Categories of Networks

 Local Area Networks (LANs)

 Short distances
 Designed to provide local interconnectivity
 Wide Area Networks (WANs)
 Long distances
 Provide connectivity over large areas
 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
 Provide connectivity over areas such as a city

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 Figure 1.10 An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet

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 Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN

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 Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN

•The image shows a direct connection between a computer and an ISP (Internet Service
Provider) using modems at both ends.

•The point-to-point WAN is a dedicated link, meaning the communication happens between
only two points: one end being the computer (on the left) and the other being the ISP server
(on the right).

•The customer connects to the ISP via a dedicated line, which is often implemented using
technologies like leased lines or fiber connections.
•.
•In a switched WAN, multiple users share the same network resources through an
intermediary (like a switch or router). This often reduces the amount of dedicated cabling
needed but may lead to shared bandwidth, which can affect performance during peak usage.

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 Figure 1.12 A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs

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 1-3 THE INTERNET

The Internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily

lives. It has affected the way we do business as well as the
way we spend our leisure time. The Internet is a
communication system that has brought a wealth of
information to our fingertips and organized it for our use.

Topics discussed in this section:

Organization of the Internet
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

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 Figure 1.13 Hierarchical organization of the Internet

NAP: The point from

which an Internet service
provider (ISP) drops
down its lines and
establishes a peering
arrangement to provide
Internet connectivity to
customers.

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 1-4 PROTOCOLS

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

Topics discussed in this section:

 Syntax
 Semantics
 Timing

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 Elements of a Protocol

 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.

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