Chapter 7 :

Telecommunication and Data

Networking
 Communications
Communications
The message (data and information) is communicated via

the signal
The transmission medium “carries” the signal
Transmission
medium

Sender Signal Receiver

 Telecommunications
Telecommunications
The electronic transmission of signals for communications,

including such means as:

Telephone

Radio

Television

Telecommunication medium
Anything that carries an electronic signal and interfaces
between a sending device and a receiving device
Communications and Telecommunications
In human speech, the sender transmits a
signal through the transmission medium of the
air
In telecommunications, the sender transmits a
signal through the transmission medium of a
cable
Schematic
 Data Communications
Data communications
A specialized subset of telecommunications that refers to the

electronic collection, processing, and distribution of data --

typically between computer system hardware devices
Elements of a Telecommunications System

Telecommunication devices
Relay signals between computer systems and
transmission media
 Computer Network
Computer network…
The communications media, devices, and software

needed to connect two or more computer systems

and/or devices
Used to share hardware, programs, and databases

across the organization

Fosters teamwork, innovative ideas, and new
business strategies
 Types of Telecommunications Media (1)
Twisted pair wire cable
Insulated pairs of wires historically used in
telephone service and to connect computer
devices.

Coaxial cable
Consists of an inner conductor wire
surrounded by insulation, called the dielectric
The dielectric is surrounded by a conductive
shield, which is surrounded by a non-
conductive jacket. Coaxial cable has better
data transmission rate than twisted pair.
 Types of Telecommunications Media (2)

Fiber-optic Cable
Many extremely thin
strands of glass or plastic
bound together in a
sheathing which transmits
signals with light beams
Can be used for voice,
data, and video
Types of Telecommunications Media (3)

Microwave Communications
Line-of-sight devices which must be placed in relatively
high locations
Microwave usage
Information is converted to a microwave signal, sent
through the air to a receiver, and recovered

Pretty picture
Types of Telecommunications Media (4)

Satellite transmission
Communications satellites are relay
stations that receive signals from one
earth station and rebroadcast them to
another
Pretty picture
They use microwave signals
Types of Telecommunications Media (5)
Cellular transmission
Signals from cells are transmitted to a receiver
and integrated into the regular network
 Types of Telecommunications Media (6)

Infrared transmission
Involves sending signals through the air via light
waves
Requires line-of-sight and short distances (a few
hundred yards)
Used to connect various computing devices such as
handheld computers
 Terminology
Analog Signal
A continuous, curving signal
Digital Signal
A signal represented by bits
Modems
Devices that translate data from digital to
analog and analog to digital
 How a Modem Works
Modem
Modulates a digital signal into an analog signal for
transmission via analog medium, then demodulates
the signal into digital for receiving
 Network Concepts and Considerations
Network Topology
A logical model that describes how networks are structured or
configured
Topologies…
Ring

Bus

Star

Hierarchical

Hybrid
Hierarchical
• Uses tree like structures with messages
passed along the branches of the hierarchy

Hybrid
• Network made up of various types of
topologies
 Network Types
Local area network (LAN)
Connects computer systems and devices in the same
geographic area (can be Ring, Bus, Hierarchical, Star,
Hybrid)
Wide area network (WAN)
Ties together large geographic regions using microwave

and satellite transmission or telephone lines

International network
Links systems between countries
 File Server Connection
Applications and databases reside on the same host computer.
File server transfers data and programs to PCs on the network,

where these target PCs perform most of the processing

Target PC File downloaded to user

File server

Host
computer
 Client/Server Connection
Applications and databases reside on specialized host
computers
Servers do most or all of the processing and transmit the

results to the client

Client Server

Server Client Server

 Advantages & Disadvantages of
Client/Server

Advantages Disadvantages
 Reduced cost  Increased cost
potential potential
 Improved  Loss of control
Performance  Complex multi-vendor
 Increased Security environment
Communications Software and Protocols (1)
Communications software
Provides error checking, message formatting,
communications logs, data security and privacy, and
translation capabilities for networks
Network operating system (NOS)
Systems software that controls the computer systems and
devices on a network and allows them to communicate with
each other
Network management software
Enables a manager on a networked desktop to monitor the
use of individual computers and shared hardware, scan for
Communications Software and Protocols (2)

Protocol
Rules that ensure communications among
computers of different types and from different
manufacturers.
Communications Software and Protocols (3)
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model
Serves as a standard model for network architectures

and is endorsed by the International Standards

Committee
Communication functions are represented in seven

layers to promote the development of modular

networks. Designed to permit communication among
different computers from different operating systems
Communications Software and Protocols (4)
TCP/IP
TCP/IP = Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
Standard originally developed by the U.S. government to link
defense research agencies; it is the primary communication
protocol of the Internet
Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
IBM communication protocol
Ethernet
Protocol standard developed for LANs using a bus topology
X.400 and X.500
An international standard for message handling and network
Bridges, Routers, Gateways and Switches
Bridge
Connects two or more networks, with the same protocol, at the media
control portions of the data link layer
Router
Operates at the network level of the OSI model and features more
sophisticated addressing software than bridges. Can determine preferred
paths
Gateway
Operates at or above the OSI transport layer and links LANs or networks
that employ different architectures and use dissimilar protocols
Switch Schematic
Routes or switches data to its destination
 Telecommunications Applications (1)
Linking personal computers to mainframe computers
Download and upload information

Voice mail
Enables users to leave, receive, and store verbal messages

for and from other users

Electronic mail (e-mail)
Enables a sender to connect a computer to a network, type

messages, and send it to another person on the network

 Telecommunications Applications (2)
Electronic software distribution
Involves installing software on a file server for users to share by
signing onto the network and requesting that the software be
downloaded onto their computers over a network
Electronic document distribution
Transporting documents -- such as sales reports, policy manuals,
and advertising brochures -- over communications lines and
networks
Telecommuting
Enables employees to work away from the office using personal
computers and networks to communicate via electronic mail with
 Telecommunications Applications (3)
Videoconferencing
Allows participants to conduct long-distance meetings

“face to face” while eliminating

Pretty picture
 Telecommunications Applications (4)
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Uses network systems and follows standards and
procedures that allow output from one system to be
processed directly as input to other systems, without
human intervention

Pretty picture
 EDI link

(a)

Vendor Customer

EDI link EDI link

Third-party
clearing house

(b)

Vendor Customer
 Telecommunications Applications (5)
Public network services
Services that give personal computer users access to vast

databases and other services, usually for an initial fee plus

usage fees
Specialized and regional information services
Specialized electronic bulletin boards and e-mail services

targeting particular interests.

Distance learning
Use of telecommunications to extend the classroom
Thank You!