Computer Networking

Lecture 1
Fundamentals of Data Communication
and Network Basics
Session Objective

By the end of this class, you will be able to:

▪ Discuss the importance of data communication

▪ Describe transmission modes with examples

▪ Explain categories of networks

▪ Analyze physical layout of a computer network

▪ List the types of network devices

Data Communication

Transmission Modes

Topology and Types of Network Devices

What is Data Communication

▪ Data communication refers to the process of

transmitting and receiving data between two or
more devices through a medium.

▪ It enables the exchange of information in various

forms, such as text, images, audio, and video.

▪ Example: When you send an email from your

computer to a friend's computer, the email
message is being transmitted over a network,
demonstrating data communication.
Importance of Data Communication

Global Connectivity Efficient Collaboration

Data communication enables global Data communication tools, such as instant

connectivity by facilitating communication messaging, online project management platforms,
and collaboration across geographical and shared document editing, enhance
boundaries. It allows people from different collaboration among individuals and teams. They
parts of the world to connect, share enable seamless communication, file sharing, and
information, and work together in real-time, simultaneous editing, resulting in improved
regardless of their physical location. productivity and efficiency.
Importance of Data Communication

Remote Access Sharing and Transfer of Information

With data communication, individuals can access Data communication enables the rapid and
their work-related resources and systems efficient sharing of information within
remotely. This allows employees to work from organizations and between businesses. It allows for
home or while traveling, providing flexibility and the exchange of important documents, reports, and
reducing the need for physical presence in the data files through various channels such as email,
office. file-sharing platforms, and cloud storage.
Importance of Data Communication

Real-Time Communication Cloud Computing

Data communication enables real-time Data communication is essential for cloud

communication through various channels, such as computing services. Cloud-based storage,
video conferencing, instant messaging, and Voice software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, and
over IP (VoIP) services. These technologies facilitate infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platforms
face-to-face communication, even when participants heavily rely on data communication to provide
are physically distant, resulting in faster users with on-demand access to computing
decision-making, reduced travel costs, and resources, data storage, and software
increased productivity. applications from anywhere at any time.
Importance of Data Communication

E-commerce and Online Transactions Internet of Things (IoT)

Data communication is the backbone of The IoT relies on data communication to

e-commerce and online transactions. It enables connect and communicate with various
secure online payment processing, data encryption, devices and sensors. It enables the
and the transfer of sensitive information between collection, analysis, and exchange of data in
customers and businesses. It plays a crucial role in real-time, facilitating automation, process
ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and optimization, and the development of smart
availability of data during online transactions. cities and industries.
Components of Data Communication

▪ Sender
▪ The sender, also known as the source or
transmitter, initiates the data transfer process.
▪ It converts the data into a suitable format for
transmission.
▪ Examples: A computer, smartphone, or any
device that sends data to another device.

▪ Receiver
▪ The receiver is the device that receives the
transmitted data.
▪ It decodes the received data and delivers it to
the intended destination.
▪ Examples: A computer, smartphone, or any
device that receives data from another device.
Components of Data Communication

▪ Medium
▪ The medium, or transmission medium, is the
physical path through which data is transmitted.
▪ It can be wired, such as copper cables or fiber
optic cables, or wireless, using radio waves or
infrared signals.
▪ Examples: Ethernet cables, wi-fi signals, or
cellular networks.
Components of Data Communication

▪ Protocols
▪ Protocols are a set of rules and procedures that
govern the format, timing, and error control
mechanisms used in data communication.
▪ They ensure reliable and efficient transmission of
data.
▪ Examples: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP),
Internet Protocol (IP), and Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP).
Data Communication

Transmission Modes

Topology and Types of Network Devices

Let’s do an activity to explore different network types

Create a comparison chart to analyze and differentiate the

characteristics, scope, and use cases of different network
types: PAN, LAN, MAN, and WAN.
Transmission Modes

▪ Simplex Mode

▪ In simplex mode, communication is unidirectional,

allowing data to flow in only one direction.

▪ Examples: Television broadcasting, where

information is transmitted from the broadcasting
station to the TV viewers.

▪ Half-Duplex Mode

▪ In half-duplex mode, communication is

bidirectional, but only one device can transmit data
at a time.

▪ Examples: Walkie-talkies, where one person

speaks while the other listens, and then they
switch roles.
Transmission Modes

▪ Full-Duplex Mode
▪ In full-duplex mode, communication is
bidirectional, and both devices can transmit and
receive data simultaneously.
▪ Examples: Phone conversations, where both
parties can speak and listen at the same time.

▪ Network
▪ A network is a collection of interconnected
devices, such as computers, servers, printers, and
switches.
▪ It enables communication, resource sharing, and
collaboration between devices.
▪ Examples: Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area
Networks (WANs), and the Internet.
Data Communication

Transmission Modes

Topology and Types of Network Devices

Categories of Networks

▪ Networks can vary in size and scale, ranging

from small local networks to global networks
such as the Internet.
▪ Understanding the concept of a network is
crucial in the field of computer networking.
▪ There are different types of networks, each
serving a specific purpose and scale.
▪ Let's explore some of the common network
types:
▪ Personal Area Network (PAN)
▪ A PAN is a network used for personal devices
in close proximity, such as smartphones,
tablets, and wearable devices.
▪ Range: Up to 10 meters.
▪ Example: A person using a Bluetooth headset
with their smartphone.
Categories of Networks

▪ Local Area Network (LAN)

▪ A LAN is a network that covers a small
geographic area, such as a home, office
building, or school campus. It connects devices
within a limited area and facilitates resource
sharing, such as file sharing and printing.
▪ Range: Up to a few hundred meters, typically
ranging from 100 meters to several hundred
meters.
▪ Example: A small office network connecting
computers, printers, and servers within a
single office building.
Categories of Networks

▪ Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

▪ A MAN is a network that covers a larger
geographic area than a LAN but smaller than a
WAN
▪ It connects devices within a metropolitan area,
such as a city or town, and is often used by
organizations or service providers to connect
multiple locations.
▪ Range: Several kilometers, ranging from a few
kilometers up to around 50 kilometers.
▪ Example: A university campus network
connecting various academic buildings and
facilities.
Categories of Networks

▪ Wide Area Network (WAN)

▪ A WAN is a network that spans a large
geographical area, often connecting multiple
LANs. WANs are typically used to connect
devices across cities, countries, or even
continents.
▪ Range: Varies greatly, ranging from a few 100
kilometers to intercontinental distances,
depending on the scope of the network.
▪ Example: A multinational company with branch
offices in different countries connected
through a WAN.
Topology

▪ Topology refers to the physical or logical layout of

a computer network. It determines how devices
are interconnected and how data flows between
them.

▪ Different network topologies have distinct

characteristics that impact factors such as
scalability, fault tolerance, and ease of network
management.
▪ Some commonly used network topologies are
○ Bus Topology
○ Star Topology
○ Ring Topology
○ Mesh Topology
○ Tree Topology
○ Hybrid Topology
Bus Topology

▪ Characteristics

▪ All devices are connected to a common

communication medium, typically a single cable
known as the ‘bus’.

▪ Data is transmitted in a linear fashion, and all

devices receive the transmitted data.

▪ Devices connect to the bus using taps or

connectors.

Bus ▪ Example

▪ Ethernet networks using the 10BASE2 or 10BASE5

standards.
Star Topology

▪ Characteristics

▪ All devices are connected to a central device,

typically a switch or hub.

▪ Data is transmitted from one device to the central

device and then forwarded to the intended
recipient.

▪ If one device fails, it does not affect the

connectivity of other devices.

▪ Example
Star
▪ Local Area Networks (LANs) using Ethernet with a
central switch.
Ring Topology

▪ Characteristics

▪ Devices are connected in a closed loop, forming a

ring.

▪ Data travels in one direction around the ring from

device to device until it reaches the intended
recipient.

▪ Each device acts as a repeater to boost the signal

before passing it to the next device.

▪ Example
Ring
▪ Token Ring networks.
Mesh Topology

▪ Characteristics

▪ Each device has a dedicated point-to-point

connection to every other device in the network.

▪ Provides multiple redundant paths for data

transmission, enhancing fault tolerance.

▪ Can be partially meshed (some devices

interconnected) or fully meshed (all devices
interconnected).

▪ Example
Mesh
▪ Wide Area Networks (WANs) or Internet
backbones.
Tree (Hierarchical) Topology

▪ Characteristics

▪ Devices are arranged in a hierarchical structure

similar to a tree.

▪ A central device (such as a root switch or hub)

connects to multiple secondary devices, which in
turn connect to other devices.

▪ Provides scalability and easy management by

dividing the network into smaller segments.
Tree ▪ Example

▪ Large-scale corporate networks or campus

networks.
Hybrid Topology

▪ Characteristics

▪ Combines two or more different network

topologies.

▪ Allows for customization and flexibility by

leveraging the strengths of different topologies.

▪ Can result in complex network designs and

require careful planning and management.

▪ Example

▪ A network with a combination of star, bus, and ring

topologies.
Types of Network Devices

▪ Network devices play crucial roles in facilitating

data communication, managing network traffic,
and ensuring efficient network operations.
▪ Here are some common types of network devices:

▪ Hub
▪ A hub is a basic networking device that connects
multiple devices in a network.
▪ It operates at the physical layer of the OSI model
and simply broadcasts data to all connected
devices.
▪ Hubs are limited in their functionality and have
been largely replaced by switches.
Types of Network Devices

▪ Switch
▪ A switch is a more advanced networking device
that operates at the data link layer of the OSI
model.
▪ It creates a direct connection between the sender
and receiver devices, allowing for efficient data
transmission.
▪ Switches use MAC addresses to forward data
packets only to the intended recipient, reducing
network congestion.
▪ They offer better performance, improved security,
and greater flexibility compared to hubs.
Types of Network Devices

▪ Modem
▪ A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that
converts digital signals from a computer into
analog signals suitable for transmission over
telephone lines or other communication mediums.
▪ Modems are used to connect computers to the
internet or to establish communication between
remote locations.
▪ Types of modems include dial-up modems, cable
modems, DSL modems, and wireless modems.
▪ Dial-up Modems
▪ Cable Modems
▪ DSL Modems
▪ Wireless Modems

▪ Refer lecture notes for detail study on modem

types
Types of Network Devices

▪ Routers
▪ A router is a networking device that operates at
the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
▪ Routers are responsible for forwarding data
packets between different networks or
subnetworks.
▪ They analyze the destination IP addresses in
incoming packets and determine the optimal path
for forwarding the packets to their intended
destinations.
▪ Routers use routing tables and protocols, such as
the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) or the Routing
Information Protocol (RIP), to make intelligent
routing decisions.
▪ They play a crucial role in connecting networks,
enabling interconnectivity, and directing data
traffic efficiently.
 Let’s do an activity on Network Device Scavenger Hunt

Identify and locate different network devices within a given

environment, enhancing their knowledge of network devices
and their physical presence.
Data Communication

Transmission Modes

Topology and Types of Network Devices