Overview of Data Communications and Networking

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.

Topics discussed in this section:

Components Data Representation Data Flow

Figure 1.1

Five components of data communication

Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex)

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.

Topics discussed in this section:

Distributed Processing Network Criteria Physical Structures Network Models Categories of Networks Interconnection of Networks: Internetwork

Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint

Figure 1.4 Categories of topology

Categories of networks

An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet

MAN

Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN

1-3 THE INTERNET

Internet today

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 and organized it for our use.

Figure 1.12 A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs

Figure 1.13 Hierarchical organization of the Internet

1-4 PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS

Protocols
First, we define protocol, which is synonymous with rule

Standards
which are agreed-upon rules. Why standards? Required to allow for interoperability between equipment Advantages Ensures a large market for equipment and software Allows products from different vendors to communicate Disadvantages Freeze technology May be multiple standards for the same thing

Defacto and Dejure standards

Key Organizations

Standards organizations provide forums for discussion, help turn discussion into formal specifications Most standards organizations have specific processes for turning ideas into formal standards. They all iterate through several rounds of organizing ideas, discussing the ideas, developing draft standards, voting on all or certain aspects of the standards, and finally formally releasing the completed standard to the public. Some of the better-known standards organizations follow:
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)An international standards organization responsible for a wide range of standards, including those relevant to networking. This organization is responsible for the OSI reference model and the OSI protocol suite.

Key Organizations (cont)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)The coordinating body for voluntary standards groups within the United States. ANSI is a member of ISO. ANSIs best-known communications standard is FDDI. Electronic Industries Association (EIA)A group that specifies electrical transmission standards. EIAs best-known standard is EIA/TIA-232 (formerly RS-232). Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)A professional organization that defines: Network standards. IEEE LAN standards (including IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 802.5) are the best-known IEEE communications standards and are the predominant LAN standards in the world today. International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) (formerly the Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone [CCITT])An international organization that develops communication standards. The best-known ITU-T standard is X.25.

Key Organizations (cont)

Internet Activities Board (IAB)A group of internetwork researchers who meet regularly to discuss issues pertinent to the Internet. This board sets much of the policy for the Internet through decisions and assignment of task forces to various issues. Some Request for Comments (RFC) documents are designated by the IAB as Internet standards, including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).