INTRODUCTION TO

NETWORKING AND
DATA COMMUNICATION

BY MR.KARIUKI
Definition of terms used in
Networking
Network
 A Network can be defined as a collection of
independent entities that are arranged in such a
manner as to exchange data, information or resources.
 Examples of networks:
 Road network: - this is the interconnection of roads in a
country, continent or throughout the world. Road
networks facilitate the transfer of goods & services
from one area to another.
 Telephone network (voice networks): - it includes the
many lines that criss-cross a country, and enables
people to communicate.
 Railway network.
Computer Network
 A computer network can be defined as a collection 2
or more computers connected together using
transmission media (e.g., telephone cables, or
Satellites) for the purpose of communication and
sharing of resources.
 Usually there can be from 2 to hundreds or even
thousands of computers on the network. Apart from
computers, other devices such as Printers, plotters, fax
machines, modems, etc can also be connected to the
network.
 The term Transmission media refers to any physical
or non-physical link between 2 or more computers,
and in which a signal can be made to flow from source
Network Server.

Computer networks usually have one computer
reserved as the “Mother” of all the other computers
on the network.
 A Server is a powerful computer that provides
services (shared resources) to the other computers on
the network. It enables information, resources &
network devices to be shared by users on a computer
network.
Network servers;
 Have a higher hard disk & main memory (RAM)
capacity than the other computers on the network.
 Store & run a special program called the server
software (network operating system), which controls
computers on the network.
Clients (workstations)
 Clients (also referred to as Workstations) are
Personal Computers (PCs) attached to the
network, on which the network users do their
work. They are used by network users to send
their requests to the server.

Clients;
 Are usually less powerful than the server, and
use the resources provided by the Server.
 Have their own operating systems and files.
 The PCs can be IBM or compatible running MS-
The figure below shows a server on a network.
DATA COMMUNICATION
 Data communication refers to the process of
transmitting data signal from one place to
another through a communication media.

 The basic components of a data transmission
system are:
a) A central computer.
b)Terminal devices.
c)Telecommunications link between the
central computer & the terminal devices.
Terms used in data communication
Data signal:
A data signal is a voltage level in the
circuit which represents the flow of data.

 Indata communication, there are 2 types

of data signals; Digital and Analog.

 Analogdata is made up of continuous

waveforms, while digital data is made up
of a non-continuous discrete waveform.
Signal modulation and demodulation:
 This is the process of converting data signals to a form
that can be transmitted over a transmission medium.
 E.g., a modem converts a digital signal to an analog
signal, which can be transmitted over analog telephone
lines. This process is called modulation. A modem at
the receiving end converts the analog signal into a
digital signal, a process known as demodulation.

Multiplexing and Demultiplexing:

 Multiplexing is the process of sending multiple data
signals over the same medium, e.g., a wire conductor
can be made to carry several data signals either
simultaneously or at different times.
 Demultiplexing is the process of separating the
multiplexed signals at the receiving end.
 Frequency (f):
 Frequency of a wave is the number of cycles
made by the wave in 1 second. Frequency is
measured in units called Hertz (Hz); where 1
Hz is equivalent to 1 cycle/second.
 Baud:
 This is the unit to measure the speed of
transmission. Generally, 1BAUD is
1bit/second.
 Baud rate:
 This is the rate at which data is transferred or
transmitted. It is measured in Bits per second
Band:
 The rate of change of a signal on a transmission line.
Bandwidth:
 A Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that a
transmission medium can carry at any one time. E.g.,
a certain cable may have a bandwidth of 100 Mbps
(Mega bits per second).
Baseband signal:
 This is a digital signal that is generated and applied to
the transmission medium directly without modulation.
 Note. A baseband signal utilizes the full capacity of
the transmission medium; hence, at any one time,
only one signal can be sent. However, multiple signals
can be sent at different times, if they are multiplexed.
Broadband transmission:
 This is where an analog signal is sent over the transmission
medium using a particular frequency. This means that,
several data signals can be sent at the same time through
the same medium, but at different frequencies so as to
prevent them from overlapping
Attenuation:
 Attenuation is the decrease in magnitude and energy of a
signal as it progressively moves along a transmission
medium.
 If the signal is not boosted, it will totally be lost along the
way, and may never reach the destination.
 Attenuation (or signal loss) is usually corrected by placing
signal amplifiers (also called repeater stations) along the
medium at appropriate distances in order to receive the
weak signal, clean it, amplify it, then retransmit it.
Modes of data communication

There are 3 modes of data communication:
 Simplex.
 Half duplex.
 Full duplex.


Simplex transmission:
 This is where communication is only in one
direction (as in radio or television broadcast).
The listener or viewer cannot communicate back
through the radio or television receiver back to
the broadcaster.
Half duplex transmission:
 This refers to communication in both directions, but
one direction at a time.
A sender must first send the data before the
recipient can reply, e.g., if two police officers are
communicating using a ‘walkie talkie’ radio, one has
to say “over” to mark the end of every statement in
order for the other to respond.

Full duplex transmission:

 This is where communication occurs in both
directions simultaneously (as in computers that are
sending & receiving data on a network).
Factors to consider when selecting a data transmission
system
 Cost of each type of data transmission method.
 Distance between the computer & the terminal.
 Whether data should be transmitted direct to the computer
online.
 Type of data transmission system to be used, i.e., whether
the data transmission will be 1-way or 2-way.
 Volume of data to be processed; and whether it is batched at
particular times, or whether it is collected individually and
required to be processed immediately.
 Speed of transmission required.
 In many cases, it is acceptable to use the ordinary Postal
service, Kenyan rail, or a private Courier service.

PURPOSE OF NETWORKING
 Some of the reasons for setting up computer networks include:
1. Resource sharing
 A Network resource refers to any component that can be attached to the network for
access by users.
 Some of the shared resources include:
i. Application programs. vii). Network Printers
ii. Data and information. viii). Fax machines
iii. Messages. ix). Modems
iv. Graphics. x). Storage devices
(optical drives).
v. Files. xi). Communication
ports.
vi. Computer processing power. xii). Disk space
 Users whose computers are connected to a network can, for example, share their
files, exchange mails, send faxes, schedule meetings, and print documents from any
point on the network. This centralized access to data & information leads to less
2. Remote communications
 Remote communication refers to the transmission of data
signals between two communication devices located at
different geographical locations.
 E.g., using remote communication, one can work from
home just as if he/she is in the office.
 It is mainly through remote communications that people
can be able to share ideas, and pass messages over the
Internet.
A computer that tries to access resources from another
computer on the network is called a remote client, while
the computer being accessed is called a remote host.
 Remote communication has been made possible by use of
wireless transmission media such as radio waves,
3. Distributed processing facilities
 Distributed
processing refers to the act of running the
same programs or databases on different computers,
which are on the same network but placed in separate
locations.
 Each computer has its own local peripherals, e.g., disks,
printers, terminals, etc.
 For example;
 In
a large organization, each branch office has its own
server that stores data, information, and other resources
required for their daily operations.
 Thisimplies that, files reside on the user’s computer
rather than on a central computer, and are only
transmitted periodically to update the central computer.
Advantages of distributed processing.
 Failure of the central computer does not affect the operations of
the other terminals.
 Processing load is shared equally; hence, no time wastage.
 There is faster access of data as each machine can process &
store its data.
 It doesn’t need powerful and expensive servers for data storage.
 It can accommodate users with variety of needs.
Disadvantages of distributed processing.
 It is more susceptible to virus, as any user could introduce an
infected file and spread it throughout the network.
 Developing an effective back up plan is more difficult when users
store data in their individual systems.
 File management (organization) is difficult as the files are stored
in different locations.
4. Cost effectiveness
 The initial cost of purchasing and laying down of networks
components may be expensive. However, the savings
experienced and the value added to service delivery make
networks cost effective.
 Networks greatly increase the efficient use of scarce
resources. E.g., a large organization with many stand alone
computers will need a printer for each computer. However, if
the computers are networked, only one printer is used.
 Computer networks have also enhanced daily
communication, i.e., they have made the flow of information
from one place to another easy. Users can send mails (e.g., e-
mails) to each other, without having to bear the cost of stamp
duty or delivery charges.
 Similarly, company executives can hold electronic video
conferences, thus reducing the traveling costs.
5. Reliability
 A computer network is reliable especially
when communicating or accessing
information:

I. Data can be transferred with minimum

errors from source to destination.
II. Incase one computer breaks down; the
user can still access data & information
from the other computers using another
computer on the network.