CoE 542 Lesson 1- Basic Concepts

This is an introduction to the basic concepts of Data Communication and Networking. Topics outlined is referenced from the book Data Communication and Networking by Behrouz Forouzan.

Data Communication - exchange of data
Networking - "share resource"
Resource - files, printer, CPU, memory, etc.
Distributed Processing-  task is divided

Fundamental Characteristics of Data Communication

1. timeliness
2. delivery
3. accuracy

Network Criteria

1. Performance
2. Reliability
3. Security

Components of Communication

1. sender- computer or node
2. receiver- computer or node
3. media- wired or wireless
4. message- signal transmission
5. protocol- language of communication

bit (mbps) v.s. Byte (MBps)

baud rate v.s. bit rate/ signals per second vs bit per second

Transmission Modes

1. Simplex- one direction at all time
2. Half-duplex- both direction one at a time
3. Full duplex- Both direction at any time

Line Configuration

1. Point-to-point- "dedicated" line
2. Multipoint- "shared" line

Physical Topology- refers to the physical layout of the network

1. bus- "broadcast"/ multipoint
2. ring- "point-to-point"
3. star- hub
4. mesh- dedicated line
   full mesh- each have dedicated line (no. of lines = (no. of nodes) (no. of nodes -1) / 2)

Categories of Network

1. LAN
2. MAN
3. WAN