DATA COMMUNICATION
1. What do you mean by the term 'Data Communication'?
Data communication is the exchange of data between two or more networked or
connected devices1. These devices must be capable of sending and receiving data over
a communication medium2. Data can be any text, image, audio, video, and multimedia
files3.
2. What are the five components of data communication?
The five components of data communication are:
Sender: A device that sends data over a network, such as a computer, mobile
phone, or smartwatch4.
Receiver: A device that receives data from the network, such as a computer,
printer, or mobile phone5.
Communication Media: The physical path (wired or wireless) through which the
message travels between the source and destination, also known as the
transmission medium6.
Message: The data or information to be exchanged, which can be in the form of
text, images, audio, or video7.
Protocols: A set of rules that must be followed by the communicating devices
for successful and reliable data communication8.
3. Explain the di erence between a Simplex, Half-duplex, and Full-duplex
communication channel with an example of each.
Simplex Communication: This is a one-way, or unidirectional, communication
where one device is a sender and the other is a receiver9. The entire capacity of
the link is used for transmission in a single direction10. An example is data
entered through a keyboard or audio sent to a speaker11.
Half-duplex Communication: This is a two-way, or bidirectional,
communication where both devices can send and receive data, but not at the
same time12. The direction of transmission can be switched13. A walkie-talkie is a
classic example, where one person talks while others listen14.
Full-duplex Communication: This is a two-way, or bidirectional,
communication where both devices can send and receive data simultaneously15.
This is like a two-way road where tra ic can move in both directions at the same
time16. Mobile phones and landline telephones are examples of full-duplex
communication17.
4. A user wants to upload a text document at the rate of 10 pages per 20 seconds.
What will be the required data rate of the channel? (Assume that 1 page contains
1600 characters and each character is of 8 bits).
The required data rate is calculated as follows:
Total bits = (10 pages) x (1600 characters/page) x (8 bits/character) = 128,000
bits.
Required data rate = (128,000 bits) / (20 seconds) = 6400 bps.
This is equivalent to 6.25 Kbps18.
5. How will a Bus and Ring topology behave in case a Node is down?
The provided document does not explicitly state what happens when a node fails in a
Bus or Ring topology, but it does mention that both are considered to be less secure and
less reliable19.
6. List various types of senders on a network.
A sender is any device capable of sending data over a network 20. Examples include a
computer, mobile phone, smartwatch, walkie-talkie, or video recording device 21.
7. Find out how many hertz is 10 Megahertz.
1 Megahertz (MHz) is equal to 1,000,000 Hertz (Hz)22. Therefore, 10 Megahertz is equal
to 10,000,000 Hertz.
8. What is Bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the range of frequencies available for the transmission of data through a
channel23. Higher bandwidth results in a higher data transfer rate24. It is measured in
Hertz (Hz)25.
9. What is Data Transfer Rate?
Data transfer rate, also known as bit rate, is the number of bits transmitted between the
source and destination in one second26. It is measured in bits per second (bps)27.
10. Explain the following devices:
Modem: Stands for 'Modulator DEModulator'28. It converts digital data from a
computer into an analog signal for transmission, and converts the analog signal
back into digital data at the receiving end29292929.
Ethernet Card (NIC): A Network Interface Card is a network adapter used to set
up a wired network. It acts as an interface between the computer and the
network30. Each card has a unique MAC address31.
Repeater: An analog device that regenerates weakened signals that have
traveled a specified distance on a cable, putting the strong signal back on the
cable32.
Hub: A network device that connects di erent devices with wires. Data arriving
on any line is sent out on all other lines33.
Switch: A networking device that connects multiple computers in a LAN34. Unlike
a hub, it extracts the destination address from a data packet and sends the
signal only to the selected device, not all of them35.
Router: A network device that can receive, analyze, and transmit data to other
networks36. It connects a local area network to the internet and can repackage
data packets to be carried over di erent types of networks37373737.
Gateway: A key access point that acts as a "gate" between a network and the
internet, serving as the entry and exit point for all data38. It routes data packets to
their destination using the best possible path39.
11. Explain Circuit Switching and Packet Switching.
Circuit Switching: A dedicated, fixed path is established between the sender
and receiver before communication begins40. All packets follow this same path41.
An example is an older telephone call where a physical path is found for the
duration of the call42.
Packet Switching: The message is broken into smaller pieces called packets,
which are then transmitted independently through the network 43. Di erent
packets from the same message may take di erent routes44. A channel is only
occupied during the transmission of a packet45.
