TDC 261 and TDC 405 Voice / Data Network Fundamentals

Homework #1
1. Please define the following terms:
a. A computer network
A computer network is an interconnection of computers and computing equipment using
either wires or radio waves and can share data and computing resources.
b. Data communications
The transfer of digital or analog data using digital or analog signals. Once created, these
analog and digital signals then are transmitted over conducted media or wireless media.
c. Telecommunications
The exchange of information by electronic and electrical means over a significant distance.
A complete telecommunication arrangement is made up of two or more stations equipped with
transmitter and receiver devices. A single co-arrangement of transmitters and receivers, called a
transceiver, may also be used in many telecommunication stations.
d. A local area network
Networks that are a little larger in geographic size than personal network areas
spanning a room, a floor within a building, a building, or a campus are local area networks
(LANs)
e. A personal area network
Networks spanning an area of several meters around an individual are called personal area
networks (PANs). Personal area networks include devices such as laptop computers, personal
digital assistants, and wireless connections.
f. A metropolitan area network
Networks that serve an area up to roughly 50 kilometersapproximately the area of a
typical city are called metropolitan area networks (MANs). Metropolitan area networks are highspeed networks that interconnect businesses with other businesses and the Internet
g. A wide area network
Large networks encompassing parts of states, multiple states, countries, and the world are
wide area networks (WANs)
h. Network management
The design, installation, and sup- port of a network and its hardware and software.
i. Convergence
Over the years, the communications industry has seen and continues to see different
network applications and the technologies that support them converge into a single technology
capable of supporting various applications. In particular, we can define three different types of
convergence: technological convergence, protocol convergence, and industrial convergence.
j. Baud rate
The number of times a signal changes value per second is called the baud rate
2. Why is a network architecture model useful?
It allows vendors to design products following the model, so different devices from different
manufacturers will work together.
3. List the seven layers of the OSI model.

4. Is it redundant if the data link layer provides error checking and the transport layer provides
error checking? Explain.
No. The data link layer performs the error checking when the data arrives at the next computer
on the transmission path. The transport layer performs the error checking only when the data
arrives at the final destination machine.
5. List the OSI layer that performs each of the following functions:
a.
Data compression - Presentation
b.
Routing Physical and transport
c.
Definition of a signals electrical characteristics - Physical
d.
E-mail - Application
e.
Error detection - Data link and Transport
f.
End-to-end flow control Transport
6. For each of the functions in the question #5, list the TCP/IP protocol suite layer that performs
that function.
a.
Data compression - Application
b.
Routing Physical and transport
c.
Definition of a signals electrical characteristics - Physical
d.
E-mail - Application
e.
Error detection Network access and Transport
f.
End-to-end flow control Transport

7. What is the difference between data and signals?

Data usually refers to raw data, or unprocessed data. It is the basic form of data, data that hasnt
been analyzed or processed in any manner. Once the data is analyzed, it is considered as
information. In order for data to be transferred electronically, it must first be converted into
electromagnetic signals. The signal can then be used to transfer data from one device to another
device.
8. What are the three basic components of all signals?
All signals consist of three basic components: amplitude, frequency, and phase.
9. What are the three main types of shift keying?
Amplitude shift keying, frequency shift keying, and phase shift keying.

10. What is the bandwidth of a signal composed of frequencies from 50 Hz to 500 Hz?
450Hz
11. A signal starts at point X. As it travels to point Y, it loses 8 dB. At point Y, the signal is
boosted by 10 bB. As the signal travels to point Z, it loses 7 dB. What is the dB strength of the
signal at point Z?
-5 dB
12. What is the difference between baseband coaxial and broadband coaxial cable?
A baseband coaxial cable, commonly called an Ethernet cable, is a 50-ohm cable that transmits
an unmodulated digital signal. Transmission in baseband cables is bidirectional, meaning a signal
inserted at any point propagates in both directions. Baseband cables are commonly used in local
area networks. Broadband coaxial cables are 75-ohm cables that transmit modulated, analog
signals. Broadband cables are unidirectional, but can compensate for this by dividing into
different channels
13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of fiber-optic cable?
- Advantages: Secure, high capacity, low noise
- Disadvantage: Interface expensive but decreasing in cost
14. What is the difference between analog and digital electronics? Please give an example.
Analog is continuous time circuit. i.e. for any instance you would have a certain value.
take an example of an analog voltmeter, which uses a needle to display the voltage values e.g.
between 0 to 10 volts, and at any time you will will have a value between 0 and 10v.
A digital system is discrete time system. i.e. value are defined discretely. i.e. for the digital
voltmeter 0 to 1 may have 10 intermediate values, i.e. you can display .1, .2, .3 etc. but not .
2147653.
In short the digital systems may use the same components but its the working that makes the
difference. Digital systems use digits/bits to communicate, while analog systems use continuous
voltages (voltages, etc.) to drive the system.
The transistor used in digital systems can be considered as (in a very basic way), a switch used
to turn on of off a particular line/device.