Introduction to Data Communication & Networking

Communication

Sending information from one place to another. Can be done through many mediums. Transmission of signals that will be interpreted as data. An information could be transmitted electronically between two points over a physical connection medium.

Types

• Type of information
  • Text, image, audio, video, multimedia
• Direction of information flow
  • Unidirectional
  • Bidirectional non-real time
  • Bidirectional real time
• Based on number of parties
  • 2 party
  • Multi-party

Network

A system that connects devices for communication.

Examples:

• Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN): traditional circuit switched telephone network. used for voice communication.
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Television network
• Vehicular network: good for better autonomous driving
• Internet

Terminal

Used for accessing a network.

Switching equipment

Used for routing data between different points.

Media

Used for transmitting data between two points. Can be wires or wireless technologies.

Challenges in network communication

Different architectures, languages, data formats, communication speeds on the sending and receiving ends.

The challenges are solved by standardized protocols, modularization and layering.