Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

DATA TRANSMISSION MODES

Data transmission modes, also known as communication modes, define the direction of signal
flow between two linked devices. These are generally categorized into three types: Simplex,
Half-Duplex, and Full-Duplex.

1. Simplex Mode

In Simplex mode, communication is unidirectional. Data can only travel in one direction from
the sender to the receiver. The receiver cannot send a response back through the same channel.

• Direction: One-way only.

• Capacity: The entire bandwidth of the channel is used by the sender.

• Examples: * Television/Radio Broadcasting: Signals travel from the station to your

device; you cannot send data back to the station via that same signal.

o Keyboard to CPU: The keyboard sends keystrokes to the computer, but the
computer does not send data back to the keyboard to be "typed."

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2. Half-Duplex Mode

In Half-Duplex mode, data can be transmitted in both directions, but not at the same time.
While one device is sending, the other must wait until the transmission is complete before
responding.

• Direction: Two-way, but alternating.

• Capacity: The bandwidth is shared over time.

• Examples: * Walkie-Talkies: One person speaks while holding a button; the other person
must wait for them to finish before they can press their button to reply.

3. Full-Duplex Mode

Full-Duplex mode allows data to be transmitted in both directions simultaneously. Both the
sender and receiver can transmit and receive data at the same time without waiting for the
other to finish.

• Direction: Simultaneous two-way communication.

• Capacity: This is the most efficient mode as it utilizes the channel's capacity in both
directions at once.

• Examples: * Telephone Conversations: Both parties can speak and hear each other at
the same time.

o Modern Switches/Fiber Optics: Most high-speed internet connections and

modern network switches operate in full-duplex to maximize throughput.

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Summary Comparison

Feature Simplex Half-Duplex Full-Duplex

Direction of
One-way Two-way (alternating) Two-way (simultaneous)
Flow

Only send or only Can do both, but not at Can do both at the same
Send/Receive
receive once time

Efficiency Lowest Moderate Highest

Analogy A one-way street A single-lane bridge A two-lane highway

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Data Transmission Modes Exercise

Section A: Multiple Choice

1. Which mode allows data to flow in only one direction?

A. Full-Duplex
B. Half-Duplex
C. Simplex
D. Complex

2. A mobile phone conversation on the Econet network is an example of which mode?

A. Simplex
B. Half-Duplex
C. Full-Duplex
D. Fixed-Duplex

3. Which of these is the best analogy for Half-Duplex?

A. A one-way street
B. A narrow bridge where only one car can cross at a time
C. A dual-carriageway with cars moving in both directions
D. A dead-end road

4. In which mode can both devices send and receive data at the same time?

A. Simplex
B. Semi-Duplex
C. Half-Duplex
D. Full-Duplex

Section B: Matching

Match the device in Column A with its correct Transmission Mode in Column B.

Column A (Device/Scenario) Column B (Transmission Mode)

1. Watching ZBC TV news A. Half-Duplex

2. Using a Walkie-Talkie B. Full-Duplex

3. Sending and receiving WhatsApps C. Simplex

Answers: 1: ____ | 2: ____ | 3: ____

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

Section C: Short Answer & Scenarios

1. Define the term "Simplex Mode."

2. Scenario: Two security guards are communicating via handheld radios (walkie-talkies).
Guard A is talking, and Guard B has to wait until Guard A says "Over" before replying.

o a) Identify the transmission mode being used: _________________________

o b) Explain why they cannot both speak at the same time:

3. Scenario: A student is typing an assignment using a computer keyboard.

o a) Identify the transmission mode between the keyboard and the CPU:
____________________

o b) Give one reason why this device does not need to be Full-Duplex:

4. Comparison: Why is Full-Duplex considered more efficient than Half-Duplex?

Section D: Drawing

In the boxes below, use arrows to show the direction of data flow for each mode.

Simplex Half-Duplex Full-Duplex

[ ] ———> [ ] [ ] <———> [ ] [ ] <———> [ ]

(One way) (Both ways, one at a time) (Simultaneous)

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

TRANSMISSION MEDIA

In Computer Science, transmission media (or communication channels) are the physical paths
through which data travels from one device to another. Whether we are using cables or wireless
signals, every medium has specific characteristics that determine how well it performs.

Here are the five main characteristics used to measure and compare transmission media:

1. Bandwidth (Capacity)

Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that a medium can carry in a given amount
of time.

• Analogy: Think of a water pipe. A wider pipe (higher bandwidth) can carry more water at
once than a narrow pipe.

• Measurement: Usually measured in bits per second (bps), Megabits per second (Mbps),
or Gigabits per second (Gbps).

• Example: Fiber optic cables have much higher bandwidth than copper telephone wires.

2. Attenuation (Signal Loss)

Attenuation is the weakening of a signal as it travels over a distance. The further the data has to
go, the weaker it becomes.

• Analogy: If you shout to a friend standing 100 metres away, your voice sounds quieter
than if they were standing right next to you.

• Solution: To fix this, networks use repeaters or amplifiers to boost the signal so it can
reach its destination.

3. Interference (EMI)

Interference, also known as Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), occurs when external electrical
signals disrupt the data being transmitted.

• Causes: Electrical motors, lightning, power lines, or even other nearby cables.

• Resistance: Some media are "shielded" to prevent this. For example, Fiber Optic is
completely immune to electrical interference because it uses light instead of electricity.

4. Distance

This is the maximum length a cable can run before the signal becomes too distorted or weak to
be read.

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• Short Distance: Twisted pair cables (like standard Ethernet) usually only work well up to
100 metres.

• Long Distance: Fiber optic cables can carry data for many kilometres without needing a
booster.

5. Cost and Ease of Installation

This refers to how much the material costs and how difficult it is to set up.

• Copper Cables: Generally cheaper and easy to bend around corners in a classroom.

• Fiber Optic: More expensive and requires specialized tools and training to install
because the glass strands are fragile.

Comparison of Common Media

Media Type Bandwidth Interference Resistance Distance Cost

Twisted Pair Low to

Low Short (100m) Low
(UTP) Medium

Coaxial Cable Medium Medium Medium (500m) Medium

Very Long
Fiber Optic Very High Very High (Immune) High
(100km+)
Wireless Low (Affected by
Medium Varies Medium
(Radio) weather/walls)

Guided vs. Unguided Media

• Guided Media (Wired): The signal is contained within a physical path (e.g., Twisted Pair,
Coaxial, Fiber Optic).

• Unguided Media (Wireless): The signal travels through the air or space (e.g., Radio
waves, Microwaves, Infrared).

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

CONNECTION DEVICES

To build the networks, we need specific hardware to link the computers together. These are
called Network Connection Devices.

We focus on the most common devices used to manage data traffic.

1. Network Interface Card (NIC)

This is a circuit board or chip installed inside a computer that allows it to connect to a network.

• Function: It provides a physical port for the network cable (Ethernet) to plug into.
• Analogy: It is like a "door" that allows data to enter and leave the computer.

• Note: Modern laptops use Wireless NICs to connect to Wi-Fi without a cable.
2. Hub

A Hub is a basic device used to connect multiple computers in a Local Area Network (LAN).

• Function: When it receives data from one computer, it sends (broadcasts) that data to
every other computer on the network.

• Disadvantage: It is "blind"—it doesn't know which computer the data is meant for,
which makes the network slow and congested.

• Analogy: Like a person shouting a message to a whole classroom just to talk to one
student.

3. Switch

A Switch is a "smarter" version of a Hub and is the most common device used in school
computer labs today.

• Function: It learns the unique address (MAC address) of every connected device. When
it receives data, it sends it only to the specific computer that needs it.

• Advantage: Much faster and more secure than a Hub.

• Analogy: Like a private letter delivered directly to your desk instead of someone
shouting it out loud.

4. Router

A Router is used to connect two or more different networks together (e.g., connecting your
school LAN to the Internet).

• Function: It acts as a "traffic policeman," directing data packets between networks and
finding the best path for them to travel.

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

• In Zimbabwe: Many homes and schools use a "Huawei" or "ZTE" router from providers
like TelOne or Econet.

• Analogy: Like a major bus terminal (e.g., Mbare Musika) that directs buses to different
cities.

5. Modem

Short for Modulator-Demodulator.

• Function: It converts digital signals from a computer into analog signals (for telephone
lines or radio waves) and vice versa.

• Purpose: It is essential for connecting a home or school to an Internet Service Provider

(ISP).
Summary Table for Students

Device Purpose Typical Use

NIC Connects a single PC to a network. Inside every laptop/desktop.

Hub Connects multiple PCs (Old/Simple). Very small, basic networks.

Switch Connects multiple PCs (Smart/Fast). School Computer Labs.

Router Connects different networks. Connecting a LAN to the Internet.

Modem Converts signals for the ISP. Connecting to TelOne or Liquid.

Identification Quiz

Instructions: Name the device based on the description.

1. I am the "brain" of a school lab network and I send data only to the correct computer: __

2. I am inside your computer and have a port for an Ethernet cable: ____________________
3. I connect your school’s network to the outside world (the Internet): ____________________

4. I am an older device that sends data to everyone, even if they don't need it: ______________

Answers: 1. Switch, 2. NIC, 3. Router, 4. Hub.

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

TYPES OF NETWORKS

In Computer Science, networks are categorized based on their geographical scale—essentially,

how much physical space they cover. We focus on the four most common types.
1. PAN (Personal Area Network)
A PAN is the smallest type of network. It is used for communication between devices belonging
to a single person, usually within a range of about 10 metres.
• Coverage: A single room or person.
• Examples: * Connecting your smartphone to your Bluetooth headphones.
o Sharing a file between two phones using Bluetooth.
o Syncing a smartwatch to a phone.
2. LAN (Local Area Network)
A LAN connects devices within a small, specific area. It is very fast and usually owned and
managed by a single organization (like a school).

• Coverage: A single building or a small group of buildings (like a school campus).

• Examples: * A school computer lab where all computers are linked to one printer.
o A home Wi-Fi network connecting laptops, tablets, and phones.
o An office network in a single building in Harare.

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3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A MAN is a larger network that connects several LANs across a whole city or a large campus. It is
bigger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN.

• Coverage: An entire city or a large district.

• Examples: * A network linking all the different branches of a bank (like CBZ or CABS) within
Bulawayo.
o A city-wide fiber optic network provided by a company like Liquid Intelligent
Technologies.
o A university network linking different campuses across a town.
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)
A WAN covers a very large geographical area, such as a country, a continent, or even the entire
world. It is often created by linking many LANs and MANs together using satellites, fiber optics,
or leased lines.

• Coverage: Countries, continents, or the globe.

• Examples: * The Internet (the largest WAN in the world).
o A multinational company with offices in Harare, Johannesburg, and London.
o The nationwide network used by Econet or NetOne to provide mobile data across
Zimbabwe.

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Comparison Summary

Network
Full Name Coverage Area Typical Speed
Type
Very High (but short
PAN Personal Area Network Under 10 metres
range)

LAN Local Area Network A building or school High

Metropolitan Area
MAN A whole city Medium to High
Network
Countries or the
WAN Wide Area Network Lower (due to distance)
World

Real-World Scenario for Learners:

Imagine a student in a school lab in Chinhoyi:

• Connecting their phone to their earbuds is a PAN.

• The computers in the lab talking to each other is a LAN.

• The network linking all schools in Gweru is a MAN.

• The student using Google to research a project is using a WAN (The Internet).

Computer Science Worksheet: Networking & Data Communication

Grade: Form 2

Topic: Data Transmission and Networks

Section A: Fill in the Blanks

Use the words in the box below to complete the sentences.

PAN, Full-Duplex, Attenuation, Bandwidth, WAN, Simplex, LAN, Fiber Optic

1. ___ is the maximum amount of data a medium can carry, measured in bits per second (bps).

2. A television broadcast from ZBC is an example of ____________________ transmission.

3. The weakening of a signal as it travels over a long distance is called ____________________.

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

4. The Internet is the world's largest ____________________.

5. ______________ cables are immune to electrical interference because they use light pulses.

6. A network used to connect a smartphone to Bluetooth headphones is a _______________.

7. ____________________ mode allows data to flow in both directions at the same time.

8. A school computer lab in Gweru would typically use a ____________________.

Section B: Matching

Match the Network Type in Column A with its correct geographical coverage in Column B.

Column A (Network Type) Column B (Coverage)

1. PAN A. Across a country or the whole world.

2. LAN B. Within a single city (e.g., across Harare).

3. MAN C. Within a single person’s reach (10 metres).

4. WAN D. Within a single building or school campus.

Answers: 1: ____ | 2: ____ | 3: ____ | 4: ____

Section C: Short Answer & Scenarios

1. Comparison: Explain one difference between Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex.

2. Problem Solving: A school is installing a new network. They need to run a cable 500 metres
across a large sports field. Why might they choose Fiber Optic instead of standard Twisted
Pair (Ethernet) cable? (Give two reasons).

o Reason 1: ___________________________________________________________

o Reason 2: ____________________________________________________________

3. Identify: A bank has branches in Mutare, Masvingo, and Bulawayo. They are all connected
so they can share customer data. What type of network (PAN, LAN, MAN, or WAN) is this?

Section D: Real-World Identification

Identify the Transmission Mode (Simplex, Half-Duplex, or Full-Duplex) for each scenario:

• A: A security guard using a Walkie-Talkie: _________________________

• B: A student listening to Star FM on the radio: _________________________

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

• C: Two people talking on a mobile phone: _________________________

• D: A computer sending a document to a printer: _________________________

COMPUTER NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

A topology is the physical or logical layout of a network. It shows how computers, cables, and
other components are connected to each other.

Common Types of Topologies

Bus Topology

• Description: All computers are connected to a single central cable called a backbone.

• Key Feature: Uses Terminators at both ends to prevent signal bouncing.

• Pros: Very cheap and easy to install in a small room.

• Cons: If the main backbone cable breaks, the entire network fails.

Star Topology

• Description: Every computer is connected to a central device called a Switch or a Hub.

• Key Feature: This is the most common layout used in Zimbabwean school computer labs.

• Pros: If one computer's cable breaks, the rest of the network keeps working perfectly.

• Cons: If the central Switch fails, every computer loses its connection.

Ring Topology

• Description: Computers are connected in a closed circle. Data travels in one direction
around the ring.

• Key Feature: Each computer acts like a repeater to keep the signal strong.

• Pros: No data collisions because data moves in a set order.

• Cons: If one computer is turned off or breaks, the "ring" is broken and the whole network
stops.

Mesh Topology

• Description: Every computer is connected to every other computer.

• Key Feature: Highly redundant (lots of backup paths).

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

• Pros: Extremely reliable. If one path fails, there are many other ways for data to travel.

• Cons: Very expensive and difficult to manage because of the many cables.

Summary Comparison Table

Topology Shape Best For... Reliability

Bus Single Line Small, low-cost setups Low

Star Like a Sun School Labs / Offices High

Ring A Circle High-speed data loops Medium

Mesh A Web Military / Banks / WANs Very High

Classroom Exercise: "The Network Architect"

Scenario: A new High School in Chinhoyi is setting up a computer lab for 30 students. They
want a network that is easy to fix if a student accidentally damages a cable.

1. Identify the best topology for this school: ____________________

2. Sketch a simple diagram of your chosen topology below:

(Draw the central device and 4 computers connected to it)

3. Explain why you chose this layout over a Bus Topology:

Teacher’s Answer Key

1. Star Topology.

2. (Drawing should show a central Switch with lines going to individual PCs).

3. Reason: In a Star topology, if one student damages a cable, only that one computer goes
offline. In a Bus topology, a single cable break would shut down the entire lab for all 30
students.

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPS)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Zimbabwe, such as Econet, NetOne, TelOne, and Liquid
Intelligent Technologies, do more than just provide data. They offer a variety of services that
allow individuals and schools to stay connected.

The Primary Services Offered By ISPs:

1. Internet Connectivity (Data)

This is the most common service. ISPs provide the physical connection and the data bundles
required to access the World Wide Web.

• Examples: Fiber to the Home (FTTH), ADSL (over phone lines), and mobile data
(3G/4G/5G).

• In Zimbabwe: Buying a "WhatsApp bundle" or a "Monthly Data bouquet" is using this

service.

2. Email Services

Many ISPs provide professional email addresses to their subscribers.

• How it works: Instead of a generic @[Link] address, a company or school might get
an address like info@[Link].

• Features: ISPs often manage the storage and security of these emails.

3. Web Hosting

If a person or a school wants to have their own website, they need a place to "park" it so people
can visit it 24/7.

• Service: The ISP provides space on their powerful computers (servers) to store the
website's files.

• Benefit: The ISP ensures the website stays online even when your personal computer is
turned off.

4. Domain Name Registration

A Domain Name is the unique address of a website (e.g., [Link]).

• Service: ISPs help users register and "own" these names so that no one else can use the
same address.

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

5. Domain Name System (DNS) Services

Think of this as the "Phonebook of the Internet."

• Service: Since computers communicate using numbers (IP addresses) and humans use
names, the ISP runs a service that translates [Link] into the correct IP address so
your browser can find it.

Summary Table for Students

Service What it does Simple Analogy

Connectivity Gives you access to the Internet. The road that lets you travel.

Email Provides a digital mailbox. A private post office box.

Web Hosting Stores your website files. Renting a shop in a mall.

Domain Registration Gives you a website name. Registering a business name.

1. Vocabulary List (Key Terms)

• ISP: Short for Internet Service Provider. A company that provides access to the internet
(e.g., TelOne, Econet, Liquid).

• Data Connectivity: The physical link (cables or wireless) that lets you browse the web.

• Web Hosting: Renting space on a powerful computer (server) to store a website so

others can see it.

• Domain Name: The unique "human-friendly" address of a website (e.g., [Link]).

• IP Address: The "computer-friendly" number address of a device (e.g., [Link]).

• DNS (Domain Name System): The service that translates a Domain Name into an IP
Address.

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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

2. ISP Service Matching Worksheet

Match the ISP Service in Column A with its correct Purpose in Column B.

Column A (Service) Column B (Purpose)

1. Data Connectivity A. Storing a website's files so it stays online 24/7.

2. Email Services B. Providing the "road" or connection to reach the internet.

3. Web Hosting C. Registering a unique website name like [Link].

4. Domain Registration D. Providing private digital mailboxes for users.

5. DNS Services E. Acting as a "phonebook" to turn names into IP numbers.

Answers: 1: ____ | 2: ____ | 3: ____ | 4: ____ | 5: ____

3. Scenario Challenge

The Situation: A local businessman in Harare wants to start an online shop called "Zim-
Groceries." He has a laptop and a modem, but he needs help from an ISP.

• Task A: He wants a professional name for his site: [Link]. Which

service does he need?

• Task B: He needs a place to store the photos of his groceries so customers can see them
online. Which service does he need?

• Task C: He wants to send official receipts to customers from orders@[Link].

Which service does he need?

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