Definition
The hardware used to transmit data instructions and information between a sending and are receiving
device is called communication device.
Function
Are communication device at sending and sends data to a communication channel
Are communication device at receiving and receives data from communication channel
Sometimes communication device may also convert the data from digital to analogue and analogue to
digital signals
Important devices
Some important communication devices are as follows
Dial up modem (modulation and demodulation)
Digital modem (ISDN modem, DSL modem, Cable Modem)
Wireless modem
Network interface card
Wireless access point
Hub
Switch
Routers
Gateway
Bridge
Dial up modem
modem is a communication device that sends and receives data from one computer to another on the
internet through telephone lines. the sending and receiving computers both must have dialogue
modems.
Function
Computer stores information in the form of digital signals. However the information transmitted over
the telephone lines in the form of analogue signals.
Modulation
the dial up modem receives data from computer in digital form and converts it into analogue form. This
process is called modulation. It sends analogue signals to other computer using telephone lines.
Demodulation
The dialogue modem or receiving a metre receive data in analogue form it converts the analogue data
back into digital form this process is called demodulation
Uses
A dial-up modem must be re-established is time the modem is used.
It provides a transfer rate of UP 56 kbps. It is much slower than broadband connections. Dial up modem
is not used today.
Digital modem
Digital modem is also called broadband modem.
Types
Different types of digital modems are as follows:
ISDN Modems:
An ISDN Modem sends digital data and information from a computer to an ISDN line and receive digital
data and information from an ISDN line. It provides data transfer rate up to 1.5 Mbps.
DSL modem:
DSL modem is a broadband modem that sends digital data and information from a computer to a DSL
line and receives digital data from a DSL line. DSL modem is typically an external device that connects to
the phone line at one end and a port on the computer at the other end.
It allows faster transmission over the standard telephone lines than ISDN modem. It provides the data
transfer speed of 384 kbps to 20 mbps.
Cable modem:
Cable modem is a broadband modem that sends and receives data over the cable television network.
Data transfer rates
It provides faster Internet speed than dial-up modem, DSL modem and ISDN modem. It provides a speed
of 8 MBPS to 50 mbps.
Wireless modem
Wireless modem transmit the data signals through the air instead of cable. It is also known as radio
frequency modem.
Design
It is designed to work with cellular technology and wireless local area network.
Uses
Most handheld computers smartphones and other mobile devices used the wireless modem to connect
to the internet wirelessly. It can also be used with notebook and desktop computers.
Network interface card
network card is a communication device used to connect a computer to a network it is also called
network interface card.
Different network cards:
There are different network cards available:
A network card for desktop computer is an adaptor card. It has a port to connect the cable.
Electric car for mobile computer is in the form of USB adaptor Express card module etc.
Wireless network card
A wireless network card is used to transmit data wirelessly.
Uses
It usually has a antenna that can be positioned properly for the best signals.
An amplifier can be used for increasing the signal strength.
Some network cards sport wired as well as wireless network.
Wireless access point
A wireless access point is a communication device that allows computers and other devices to transfer
data wirelessly among themselves over to a wired network. It acts as the receiver of wireless radio
signals. It has antenas to provide better signals.
Uses
The wireless access point sport Wi-Fi and are most commonly used to support public internet hotspots
at airports hotels and library.
They are also used in business networks where larger building and spaces need wireless coverage.
Hub
Ab also called concentrator or multi-station access unit (MAU). It provides a central point for tables in a
network. Hub also transmit signals and have multiple ports to which devices are connected.
Hub connect the computers to a network. It broadcasts all messages to every computer on the network
but only the intended recipient computer takes the message the computers that are not be recipients of
the message ignore the message. Ab can handle only one way information traffic at a time.
Switch
Network switch is more intelligent device than hub. Thus which improves the efficiency of the data
transfer in the network. it receives a message from any device connected to the network and then
transmits the message only to the device for which the message was meant. It can also handle multiple
communication channels at the same time.
Router
a router is a communication device that connects multiple networks using similar or different protocols.
It manages the best router between any two communication networks
Characteristics
It can connect networks of different countries
The router is an intelligent device
They transfer data in less time
Uses
Routers are used when several networks are connected together
Router can be used on a network of any size
It uses algorithms to find out the best path of transfer data to a network
Gateway
Gateway is a device that connects two or more networks with different types of protocols.
Characteristics
It is an intelligent device
It can convert data according to the protocol
Uses
A gateway can be used to connect two personal computer network to mainframe computer network
Bridge
A network bridge can be used in computer networks to interconnect to LANs and two separate network
segments.
Segment
A segment is a section open at work.
Function
When a bridge receives a signal it determines the segment where the signal should be sent. It reads the
address of sending and receiving computers.
The bridge does not pass the signal to the other segment if sending and receiving computers are both in
the same segment.
It reduces network traffic and increase network performance.
