TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

CHAPTER 6 COMMUNICATION MEDIA AND DEVICES

Learning Objectives Describe basic components of a network Explains the methods of data transmission, including types of signal, modulation and choices among transmission mode Differentiate among the various kinds of communications links Describe various network configurations.

DATA COMMUNICATIONS Mail, telephone, TV, radio, books, newspapers are traditional method for users to send and receive information. Data communication systems have been evolving since mid-1960s Data communication system is the computers systems that transmit data over communication lines such as telephone and cables. Network is a computer system that uses communication equipment to connect two or more computers and their resources.

PUTTING TOGETHER A NETWORK: A FIRST LOOK Getting started The basic components of a data communications system are:

1. Sending device

2. Modem

3. Communications link
5. Receiving device 4. Modem

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

Network design consideration The task of network design is complex one. Here is a list of questions that might occur to a customer who was considering installing a network. 1. 2. 3. 4. Modems speed. communication media geographical area network topology

DATA TRANSMISSION A terminal or computer produces digital signals. Some combination lines accept digital transmission However, most telephones lines built for voice transmission that requires analog signals.

Digital and Analog transmission Digital transmission sends data as distinct pulses, either on or off. Some communication media are not digital such as telephone lines, coaxial cables and microwave circuits are already in place for voice (analog) transmission. Therefore, the most communications devices all use analog transmissions, a continuous electrical signal in the form of a wave. To be sent over analog lines, a digital signal must be converted to an analog form. Modulation conversion from digital to analog signals Demodulation- conversion from analog to digital signals.

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA Types of communication media

A communication medium is the physical means of data transmission. Types of communication media : 1. Wire pairs/ twisted pair The most communication media. Wire pairs are inexpensive. They are often use because they have already been installed in a building and telephone systems.

2.

Coaxial cables Known for sending a strong signal. Coaxial cables has much higher bandwidth The cable that connects your TV to the cable TV system is the most common type of coaxial cable.

3. Fiber Optics Fiber optics use light and the cables are made of glass or plastic fibers, each thinner than a human hair. Fiber optics cable has much higher bandwidth than coaxial cable, yet less expensive. It uses light rather than electricity.

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

4. Microwave transmission Use as line-of-sight transmission of data signals via atmosphere. Often antennas in high places, such as the tops of mountains and buildings- are positioned at points approximately 30 miles apart to continue the transmission. Microwave transmission offers high speed, cost-effectiveness and ease implementation. One problem is susceptibility to interference by whether conditions.

5. Satellite transmission Satellite transmission is a form of microwave transmission in which a satellite acts as the relay station. Its basic components are earth stations, which send and receive signals. Transponder is the satellite components that receive the transmission from an earth. This entire process takes only a fraction of a second.

6. Wireless transmission Wireless transmission is a group of technologies has recently emerged that transmit data over relatively short distances. IrDA uses infrared to transmit data a few feet between devices, such a PDA and a desktop or a computer and a printer. Similar to TV remote, IrDA requires a direct line-of-sight. Bluetooth is another short distance technique (30 feet or less) that uses radio waves to connect mobile devices such as handhelds, notebooks and cell phones. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a standard uses for distances up to about 150 feet. Wi-Fi capability is built into some notebook model, allowing them to easily join wireless LANs. 802.11a and 802.11g are the newest members of this family and allow transmission at speeds up to 54 Mbps.

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

NETWORK Network is a collection of computers and devices connected via communications devices and transmission media CATEGORIES OF NETWORK 1. Local Area Network (LAN) Network in limited geographical area such as home or office building 2. Metropolitan area network (MAN) connects LANs in city or town 3. Wide Area Network (WAN) Network that covers large geographic area using many types of media. Internet is worlds largest WAN NETWORK TOPOLOGIES A topology is the physical layout of a network. There are three commons topologies: star, ring and bus networks. In a network topology a component is called a node, which is usually a computer on a network. The term node is connected to a network including server, computers and peripheral devices such as printers.

A star network Has a central (hub) computer that is responsible for managing the network. All messages are routed via the hub computer. Any connection failure between a node and the hub will not affect the overall system. However, if the hub computer fails, the network fails.

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

A ring network Links all nodes together in a circular chain. Data messages travel on only one direction around the ring. Each node examines any data that that passes by to see whether that node is the addressee; if not, the data is passed on to the next node in the ring. If one node fails, the ring is broken, and the entire network fails.

A bus network A bus network has a single line (the bus) to which all the network nodes are attached. Computers transmit data in the hope no collision, if the collision occurs, the sending node simply tries again. Nodes can be attached and detached without affecting the network. Furthermore, if one node fails, it does not affect the rest of the networks.

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

Communication Devices
1. Modem A modem is a device that converts a digital signal to analog signal and vice versa. Modem is short for modulator and demodulator. Most modems are directly connected to phone system by a cable. Types of modem: o External modem is separate from computer. o Advantage it can be used with a variety of computers o Internal modem board can be inserted into the computer o Most personal computer use internal modem as standard equipment.
Digital Signal Analog Signal Digital Signal

Computer

Modem

Modem Modems

Computer

LANs do not use the telephone network. Networks that are LANs are made up of a standard set of components:

2. Network cable All networks need some system for interconnection. In some LANs the nodes are connected by a shared network cable. Low cost LANs are connected with twisted pairs, but many LANs use coaxial cables or fiber-optic cable, which may be more expensive but are faster. Some local area networks, are wireless which easy to set up and reconfigure, but they have slower transmission rates.

3. A network Interface card (NIC) NIC connects each computer to the wiring in the network. On a desktop computer, a NIC is a circuit board that fits in one of the computers internal expansion slots. A notebook computer may use NIC in a PC card.

TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

4. Bridge A hardware/software combination that recognizes the messages on a network and passes on messages addressed to nodes in other networks.

5. Router Is a special computer that directs communications traffic when several networks are connected.

6. Gateway Is a collection of hardware and software resources that lets a node communicate with a computer on another dissimilar (different) network.