This chapter addresses four issues: data communications, networks, the internet, and protocols and standards. First we give a broad definition of data communications. Then we define networks as a highway on which data can travel. The internet is discussed as a good example of an internetwork. Finally, we discuss different types of protocols, the difference between protocols and standards, and the organizations that set those standards. | Chapter 1 Introduction Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1. 1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS 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. Components Data Representation Data Flow Topics discussed in this section: 1. Figure Five components of data communication 1. Figure Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex) 1. 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. Distributed Processing Network Criteria Physical Structures Network Models Categories of Networks Interconnection of Networks: Internetwork Topics discussed in this section: 1. Figure Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint 1. Figure Categories of topology 1. Figure A fully connected mesh topology (five devices) 1. Figure A star topology connecting four stations 1. Figure A bus topology connecting three stations 1. Figure A ring topology connecting six stations 1. Figure A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus networks 1. Figure An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet 1. Figure WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN 1. Figure A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs 1. 1-3 THE INTERNET The Internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily lives. It has affected the way we do business as well as the way we spend our leisure time. The Internet is a communication system that has brought a wealth of information to our fingertips . | Chapter 1 Introduction Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 1. 1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS 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. Components Data Representation Data Flow Topics discussed in this section: 1. Figure Five components of data communication 1. Figure Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex) 1. 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. Distributed Processing Network Criteria Physical Structures Network Models Categories of .
