Introduction
1.1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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
Data Representation
Data Flow
1.2
Figure 1.1 Components of a communication system
1.3
Components of a communication system
1.4
Figure 1.1 Components of a communication system
1.5
The Message Types
• Text
• Numbers
• Images
• Audio
• Video
• Voice
1.6
Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex)
1.7
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.
Topics discussed in this section:
Network Criteria
Physical Structures
Network Models
Categories of Networks
Interconnection of Networks: Internetwork
1.8
Communication Devices: Examples
Non-common communication devices
Common communication devices
Bluetooth watches
switch
Wireless router Bluetooth alarm clock
1.9
Network Criteria
• Performance:
•Throughput, Network Speed, Delay / Latency
• Reliability
•Network Uptime, fault tolerance and
redundancy
• Security
•Unauthorized access, data breaches and cyber
threats.
•Scalability (handle growing demands)
•Manageability (Monitoring and Maintenance)
1.10
Network Criteria
• Availability:
•Accessibility and Uptime
• Quality of Service (QoS)
•Critical applications and traffic prioritization
• Interoperability
•Ability to integrate with different systems,
devices and protocols
1.11
Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint
1.12
Figure 1.4 Categories of topology
1.13
Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh topology (five devices)
3
1
4
5
n(n-1) half-duplex links
n(n-1)/2 duplex links
1.14
Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four stations
1.15
Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting three stations
1.16
Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six stations
1.17
Figure 1.9 A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus networks
1.18
Categories of Networks
1.19
Figure 1.10 An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet
1.20
Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN
1.21
Figure 1.12 A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs
1.22
Figure 1.13 Hierarchical organization of the Internet now
1.23
1-4 PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS
In this section, we define two widely used terms: protocols
and standards.
Protocol, is synonymous with rules.
Standards, which are agreed-upon rules.
1.24
1-4 PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS
Protocols
A set of rules , conventions and procedures that govern
communication between devices, systems or networks.
It defines
• Data Format (structure and organization)
• Communication Sequences (order of messages)
• Error Handling (detection, correction, and reporting)
Standards.
Documented agreement that specifies:
•Technical Specifications ( Requirements for devices,
systems, or protocols
•Interoperability (seamless interaction between systems or
devices)
1.25