CIS 321 – Fall 2004

Data Communications &

Networking

Chapter 1 - Introduction
321 Topics to be Covered
 Network Topologies &  Data Link Control and
Categories Protocols
 Transmission Modes  LANs/WANs,
 Network Models VLANs/VPNs
 Signaling and Media  Frame Relay, ATM
 Encoding and Modulating  Internetworking
 High Speed Digital Access  Security
 Multiplexing  Compression
 Error Detection and  TCP/IP
Correction  Application Services

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Part 1 Overview of Data
Communications and Networking
 Chapter 1
 Brief description of data communication, networking,
and protocol standards
 Chapter 2
 Network models

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Data Communication

 Why study data communications?

 Data communication – exchange of data between
two devices via a transmission medium
 Effectiveness depends on:
 Delivery, Accuracy, Timeliness

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Communication System Components

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Data Representation

 Text – represented as a bit pattern; codes often

used:
 ASCII; Extended ASCII; Unicode; ISO
 Numbers – represented by binary equivalent
 Images – bit patterns representing pixels
 Audio
 Video

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Direction of Data Flow
 Simplex – unidirectional; one transmits, other
receives
 Half-duplex – each can transmit/receive;
communication must alternate
 Full-duplex – both can transmit/receive
simultaneously

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Networks

 Set of devices (nodes) connected by media

 Distributed processing
 Advantages

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Network Criteria

 Performance – affected by # users, type of

medium, HW/SW
 Reliability – measured by freq of failure, recovery
time, catastrophe vulnerability
 Security – protection from unauthorized access,
viruses/worms

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Types of Connections

 Point-to-point –
dedicated

 Multipoint – shared

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Physical Topology

 Physical or logical arrangement

 4 basic types: mesh, star, bus, ring
 May often see hybrid

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Mesh Topology
 Dedicated point-to-point
links to every other device
 Advantages
 Disadvantages

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Star Topology
 Dedicated point-to-point
links to central controller
(hub)
 Controller acts as
exchange
 Advantages
 Disadvantages

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Bus Topology
 Multipoint configuration
 One cable acts as a
backbone to link all
devices
 Advantages
 Disadvantages

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Ring Topology
 Dedicated point-to-point
configuration to neighbors
 Signal is passed from device to
device until it reaches destination
 Each device functions as a
repeater
 Advantages
 Disadvantages

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Categories of Networks

 Local Area Network (LAN) – smaller geographical

area
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – network
extended over an entire city
 Wide Area Network (WAN) – large geographical
area

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Internetworks
 Connection of two or more networks
 Internet vs. internet

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The Internet

 Collaboration of more than hundreds of thousands

interconnected networks
 1969 – started as ARPAnet, a small network of
connected computers
 1972 - Cerf and Khan – packet delivery and
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
 Shortly thereafter – evolution of TCP/IP
 A brief history of the Internet
 Internet Timeline

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Protocols and Standards

 Why do we need them?

 Protocol – set of rules that govern data
communication; defines what, how, and when
 Key elements – syntax, semantics, timing
 Standard – provides a model for development;
allows for interoperability

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Standards
 Types –
 De jure/Formal – legislated by an officially
recognized body
 De facto – by convention or widespread use
 Standards Organizations – committees, forums,
regulatory agencies
 Internet Standards
 Drafts
 RFC Process

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Summary

 Introduction to data communication, networking,

and protocol standards
 Next chapter…
 Network models

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Credits

 All figures obtained from publisher-provided

instructor downloads
Data Communications and Networking, 3rd
edition by Behrouz A. Forouzan. McGraw Hill
Publishing, 2004

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