Basics of data communication
Communication is defined as a process in which more than one computer transfers information, instructions to each other and for sharing resources. Or in other words, communication is a process or act in which we can send or receive data. A network of computers is defined as an interconnected collection of autonomous computers. Autonomous means no computer can start stop or control another computer.
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Components of Data Communication
A
communication system is made up of the following components:
1.
Message: A
message is a piece of information that is to be transmitted from one person to
another. It could be a text file, an audio file, a video file, etc.
2.
Sender: It
is simply a device that sends data messages. It can be a computer, mobile,
telephone, laptop, video camera, or workstation, etc.
3.
Receiver: It
is a device that receives messages. It can be a computer, telephone mobile,
workstation, etc.
4.
Transmission Medium / Communication
Channels: Communication channels are the medium that connect
two or more workstations. Workstations can be connected by either wired media
or wireless media.
5. Set of rules (Protocol): When someone sends the data (The sender), it should be understandable to the receiver also otherwise it is meaningless. For example, Somali sends a message to Cretan. If Somali writes in Hindi and Cretan cannot understand Hindi, it is a meaningless conversation.
Therefore,
there are some set of rules (protocols) that is followed by every computer
connected to the internet and they are:
·
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): It
is responsible for dividing messages into packets on the source computer and
reassembling the received packet at the destination or recipient computer. It
also makes sure that the packets have the information about the source of the
message data, the destination of the message data, the sequence in which the
message data should be re-assembled, and checks if the message has been sent
correctly to the specific destination.
·
IP (Internet Protocol): Do
you ever wonder how computer determines which packet belongs to which device.
What happens if the message you sent to your friend is received by your father?
Scary Right. Well! IP is responsible for handling the address of the
destination computer so that each packet is sent to its proper
destination.
In the context of data communication, the basics involve the
transmission of data between devices or systems. Here are some fundamental
concepts that you might learn in a class on data communication at the 9th-grade
level:
1. Data: Data refers to information in a form
that can be transmitted and processed. It could be text, numbers, images, or
any other type of information.
2. Communication: Communication
involves the exchange of data between two or more devices. This can be achieved
using various methods such as wired or wireless communication.
3. Sender and Receiver: In data
communication, there is always a sender (source) and a receiver (destination)
of data. The sender transmits the data, and the receiver receives and processes
it.
4. Channels: Channels are the
physical or logical paths through which data is transmitted. They can be wired,
like cables, or wireless, like radio waves.
5. Medium: The medium is the
physical substance or method used to carry the signal. Examples include copper
cables, optical fibres, or air (for wireless communication).
6. Data Transmission Modes:
·
Simplex: Data can only be transmitted in one
direction (either from sender to receiver or vice versa).
·
Half-Duplex: Data can be transmitted in both
directions, but not simultaneously.
·
Full-Duplex: Data can be transmitted in both
directions simultaneously.
7. Protocols: Protocols are a set
of rules and conventions that govern the data communication process. They
ensure that devices can understand and interpret the data being transmitted.
8. Modulation and Demodulation: In communication,
modulation is the process of encoding digital data onto an analogy signal for
transmission. Demodulation is the reverse process of extracting digital data
from the received analogy signal.
9. Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the
amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. It is usually
measured in bits per second (bps) or megabits per second (Mbps).
10.Networking: Networking involves
connecting multiple devices to share resources and information. Local Area
Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) are common types of networks.
11.Types of Data Transmission:
·
Serial Transmission: Data is sent bit by
bit over a single channel.
·
Parallel Transmission: Multiple bits are
sent simultaneously over multiple channels.
12.Error Detection and Correction: Techniques and
algorithms are used to detect and correct errors that may occur during data transmission.
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Understanding these
basic concepts will provide a foundation for further exploration of more
advanced topics in data communication.
