Introduction to Data

Communications
What is Data?
In the data communications world, data
generally are defined as information that is
stored in digital form

The word data is plural form of datum which

is a single unit of data.

Information is defined as knowledge or

intelligence.*
What is Data Communications
Data communications can be summarized as
the transmission, reception, and processing of
digital information.

The information can be both in analog or digital

form*. If the source is analog, it must be first
converted to digital before transmission then
reconverted back to analog form when it reaches
its destination.
What is Data Communications
A Network is a set of devices(sometimes
called nodes or stations) interconnected by
media links*.

Data communication networks are systems of

interrelated computers and computer
equipments.
History of Data Communications
Even before the advent of electricity data
communications have already existed in form of
smoke signals, tom-tom drums, horns, or
semaphores.
Semaphore
History of Data Communications
In 1753 Scotland, a proposal was made
suggesting running a communications line
between villages comprised of 26 parallel wires,
one for each letter of the alphabet.

But this idea was impractical at the time due to

their wire-making technology.
History of Data Communications
In 1833, Carl Freidrich Gauss developed a single
wire system based on a 5x5 matrix representing
each letter of the alphabet. (i and j are
combined) A B C D E
I/
F G H K
J
L M N O P
Q R S T U
V W X Y Z
History of Data Communications
The first practical data
communication system was
invented by Samuel Morse in
1832 which is called the
telegraph.

He also developed the first

data communications code
which he called morse code.
 History of Data Communications

Decode this message: ././.-../.-../---/

History of Data Communications
In 1884, Emile Baudot invented a telegraph multiplexer,
which allowed signals from about 6 different telegraph
machines to be transmitted simultaneously over a single
wire.

In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi succeeded in transmitting

wireless telegraph messages.

Wireless telegraph was the only way to transmit messages

over large bodies of water until in the year 1920 when the
first radio stations carrying voice signals were installed.
History of Data Communications
Soon after the invention of the telephone, the
American Telephone and Telegraph Company
(AT&T) emerged, providing long-distance and
local telephone service and data communication
service throughout the United States.
Data Communications Network
Architecture
A data communications network is any
system of computers, computer terminals, or
computer peripheral equipment used to transmit
and/or receive information between two or more
locations.

Network architectures outline the products

and services necessary for the individual
components within a data communications
network to operate together.
Data Communications Network Architecture
A network architecture outlines the way in which
a data communications network is arranged or
structured and generally includes the concept of
levels or layers of functional responsibility
within the architecture.

The functional responsibilities include electrical

specifications, hardware arrangements, and
software procedures.
Data Communications Network Architecture
Networks and network protocols fall into three
general classifications:
Current
Legacy
Legendary
Data Communications Network Architecture
In general terms, computer networks can be
classified in two different ways: broadcast and
point-to-point.

In broadcast networks, all stations and devices

share a single communications channel. Data
must be split into smaller messages sometimes
called packets, frames, or blocks*
Data Communications Protocols
The list of protocols used by a system is called a
protocol stack which generally includes only one
protocol per layer.

Layered network architectures consist of two or

more independent levels. Each level has a
specific set of responsibilities and functions,
including data transfer, flow control, data
segmentation and reassembly, sequence control,
error detection and correction, and notification.
Data Communications Network Architecture
Point-to-point networks have only two stations,
where all transmissions are intended for and
received the other station, hence they do not
need to be split into smaller messages, instead it
sends the data in a single uninterrupted stream
of data.
Data Communications Protocols
Computer networks communicate using
protocols, which define the procedures that the
systems involved in the communications process
will use.

Numerous protocols are used to provide

networking capabilities, such as how the data is
sent, how much data can be sent at a time, how
will it be addressed or how will it make sure that
there would be no errors, etc.*
Connection-oriented and
Connectionless Protocols
Protocols can be generally classified as either
connection oriented or connectionless.

With a connection based protocol, a logical* connection

is established between endpoints prior to the
transmission of data.

This is accomplished by using a rigid set of procedures

for establishing a connection (handshaking),
transferring the data, acknowledging the data, and then
clearing the connection.
Connection-oriented and Connectionless
Protocols
Setup request

Setup request

Data transmitted

Data acknowledgement

Connection clear request

Clear response

Figure: Connection based protocol

Connection-oriented and Connectionless
Protocols
Connectionless protocols are protocols where
data are exchanged in an unplanned fashion
without prior coordination between endpoints.

Connectionless protocols do not provide the

same high degree of reliability as connection
based protocols; however connectionless ones
offer significant advantage in transmission
speed.
Connection-oriented and Connectionless
Protocols
Data

Data

Data

Data

Data

Figure: Connectionless protocol

Syntax and Semantics
Protocols include the concept of syntax and
semantics.

Syntax refers to the structure or format of the

data within the message, which include the
sequence in which data is sent.*

Semantics refers to the meaning of each

section of data.
Data Communication Standards
Since the past decades, data communications grows at an
astronomical rate. Consequently, the need to provide
communication between dissimilar equipments and systems
also grows. *

Data communication standards are guidelines that have been

generally accepted by the data communications industry.

Those guidelines outline procedures and equipment

configurations that help ensure the orderly transfer of data
between 2 or more equipment/networks
Data Communication Standards
There are two basic types of standards: Proprietary (closed)
system, and open system

Proprietary standards* are generally manufactured and

controlled by one company. Other companies are not allowed
to manufacture equipment or write software using this
standard

With open system standards*, any company can produce

compatible equipment or software, however often a royalty
must be paid to the original company (unless its open-
source).
Layered Network Architecture
The basic concept of layering network
responsibilities is that each layer adds value to
services provided by sets of lower layers.

A layered architecture facilitates peer-to-peer

communications protocols where a given layer in
one system can logically communicate with its
corresponding layer in another system.
Layered Network Architecture
Source Destination

NETWORK

Peer-to-peer communications

Layer Layer
N+1 Layer N+1 to Layer N+1 N+1

Layer N Layer N
Layer N to Layer N

Layer N- Layer N-
1 Layer N-1 to Layer N-1 1
Protocol Data
With layered Unit
architectures, communications between
two different layers requires a unit of data called a
protocol data unit (PDU).

A PDU can be a header added at the beginning of the

message, or a trailer which is appended at the end of the
message.

Data flows downward though the layers of the source

system, then upwards on the destination system.

The process of adding and removing PDU information is

called encapsulation and decapsulation respectively.
Open Systems Interconnection
Open systems interconnection (OSI) is the name
for a set of standards for communicating among
computers.

The primary purpose of the OSI standards is to

serve as a guideline for exchanging information
between computers, workstations, and networks
OSI Layers
It is a seven-layer conceptual
model

Developed by ISO in 1984

Describes standards for inter-

computer communication

A system to break-down
network communication.

A standard to create standards

OSI Layers
Application Layer

Network applications
Mail
Web
File Transfer
Remote Connections

Datagrams are called

Upper Layer Data
OSI Layers
Presentation Layer

provides a context for

communication between
layers. ex: ASCII

Encryption and Decryption

Compression

Datagrams are called Upper

Layer Data
OSI Layers
Session Layer
Controls the dialogs
between computers

Also controls duplexing,

termination, and restarts

Datagrams are called

Upper Layer Data
OSI Layers
Transport Layer
provides transparent
transfer of data
TCP and UDP
end-to-end connections
reliability
flow control
Datagrams are called
segments
OSI Layers
Network Layer
provides connections
between hosts on different
networks
IPv4 and IPv6
routing of packets
Datagrams are called
packets
OSI Layers
Data Link Layer
Provides connections
between hosts on the
same network
ethernet
MAC addresses
datagrams are called
frames
OSI Layers
Physical Layer
describes electrical and
physical specifications for
devices

cable, connectors, hubs,

repeaters

data is called bits