Communication

Communication is a process of transferring information from one source to another. another.

Basic Elements of a Communication Process

A

sender  A medium  A receiver

Communication Model
Medium (carries the message)

Sender (Source)

Receiver (Sink)

General Block Diagram

Source

Transmitter

Transmission System

Receiver

Destination

Data Transmission Media



Guided or Wired Media

 Twisted Pair  Coaxial Cable  Optical Fiber

Unguided or Wireless Media

 Microwave system  Communication satellite

Twisted Pair Cables

A type of cable that consists of two independently insulated wires twisted around one another.

Coaxial Cable
A type of wire that consists of a center wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield of copper mesh.

Optical Fiber
A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads, each of which is capable of transmitting messages modulated onto light waves.

Microwave System
Microwave transmission refers to the technique of transmitting information over a microwave link.

Transmitting Antenna

Receiving Antenna

Communication Satellite
Satellite communication refers to the technique of transmitting information using a satellite and several ground stations.

Computer Networks
It is a group of geographically distributed computers (nodes) for the purpose of data exchange.

Why we use networks ?

 Data

/ Information Exchange  Resource Sharing - Hardware Sharing - Software Sharing

Applications
Business 1. Resource sharing-client server model 2. Communication-email, video conferencing, e-business, ecommerce Home 1. Access to remote information-www, on-line news, magazines 2. Person-to-person communication-email, chat, instant messaging 3. Interactive environment-on-line games, video on demand 4. Electronic Commerce- home shopping, banking, bill payment

Other Application Areas of Networks

Education   

Research Industry Medical

Network Types
  

Local Area Networks (LAN) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)

Local Area Networks (LAN)

 

Developed in 1970s. A network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or building. Privately owned Restricted size Speed:10 Mbps to 100Mbps 1 Mbps=100000 bits/sec Medium : optical fibers, coaxial cables, twisted pair, wireless.

  

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

 

Connects two or more LAN together. Does not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town, city, or metropolitan area (50 kms)

  

Developed in 1980s. Medium : optical fibers, cables. Message routing is fast.

Wide Area Network (WAN)



Covers a relatively broad geographic area (i.e. one city to another and one country to another country)

often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers, such as telephone companies.

 

Developed in 1960s. Typical speed : 20 - 2000 Kbps.

Network Topology
Network topology refers to the way in which the nodes of a network are linked together.

Network Topologies
     

Star Network Ring Network Complete/Mesh Network Bus Network Tree Network Hybrid Network

Star Network


Each device has a dedicated point-to-point link only to a central controller usually called a hub.

  

Devices not linked to each other directly. Does not allow direct traffic b/w devices. The controller acts as an exchange- one device send data to controller, where it relays to other.

Advantages
     

Less expense Each device need only one link and one I/O port Easy to install and reconfigure Less cabling Easy addition, deletion, replace Robustness, where one link fails, that only is affected.

Disadvantages


Failure of Central Hub affects the whole network

Ring Network


Each device has a dedicated point-to-point line configuration only with the two devices on either side of it. A signal is passed along the ring in one direction from device to device until it reaches its destination Each device in the ring incorporates a repeater When a device receives a signal intended for another device its repeater regenerates the bits and passes them along.

 

Advantages
 

Easy to install and reconfigure Fault isolation is simplified (alarm)

Disadvantages
 

Unidirectional traffic Break in ring disable the entire network

Complete/Mesh Network


Every device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every other device.

Dedicated means that the link carries traffic only between the two devices it connects.

A fully connected mesh n(n-1)/2 physical channels for n devices.

Needs n-1 ports.

Advantages
  

Eliminate the traffic problems Privacy and security Fault identification and correctness is easy

Disadvantages
  

Amount of cables and no: of I/o ports is more Installation and reconfiguration is difficult Sheer bulk of the wiring greater than it can accommodate Expensive hardware.

Bus Topology
 

Multipoint configuration One long cable acts as a backbone to link all the devices in the n/w Nodes are connected using drop lines and tap Drop line-connection running between the device and the main cable Tap is a connector that either splices into the main cable or punctures the sheathing of a cable to create a contact with the metallic core.

 

Advantages
  

Ease of installation Less cabling is required Easy to add new devices

Disadvantages
  

Difficult reconfiguration and fault isolation Signal reflection at the taps cause degradation Break in the main cable stops all transmission

Tree Topology
  

Variation of star Nodes are linked to a central hub Not every device plugs directly into the central hub .The majority of devices connect to a secondary hub that in turn is connected to the central hub. Active hub strengthens the signals using repeaters Central hub is always an active hub Passive hub acts as a physical connection between devices eg: secondary hubs

  

Advantages
  

All same as star Can connect more devices Can allow priority to devices

Disadvantages


Same as Star

Hybrid Network
A network topology that uses two or more network topologies