St.

Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
Data Communication and Computer Network

1. Introduction to Data communication and Computer Networks

1.1. Data communication
- Data communication is the process of communicating information in binary form
between two points.
- Data communication is often referred to as "computer communication" because most
of the information interchanged is between computer systems.
- This process involves two stages;
o The first is the communication between man and machine.
o The second is the transfer of that data from machine to machine.

1.2. Use of data communications

- The purpose of Data Communications is to provide the rules and regulations that
allow computers with different disk operating systems, languages, cabling and
locations to share resources.
- The rules and regulations are called protocols and standards in Data Communications.
- Data communication has become an extremely important aspect of the modern world.
It has been a subject of great interest for many decades. However, the possibilities of
exchanging business-critical documents and information, conducting mission-critical
transactions across geographical boundaries, sharing of personal information with
friends, etc. have made it very important to understand how to exchange data and how
it works internally.
- Data communications gives you the ability to easily stay in touch with others instant
messaging, phones, emails and social networking sites all utilize data
communications.
- A data communication system may collect data from remote locations through data
transmission circuits, and then outputs processed results to remote locations.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 1

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
1.3. Basic components of Communication network

- A Communication system has the following components: 

1. Message: It is the information or data to be communicated. It can consist of

text, numbers, pictures, sound or video or any combination of these.

2. Sender: It is the device or computer that generates and sends that message.

3. Receiver: It is the device or computer that receives the message. The location
of receiver computer is generally different from the sender computer. The
distance between sender and receiver depends upon the types of network used
in between.

4. Medium: It is the channel or physical path through which the message is

carried from sender to the receiver. The medium can be wired like twisted pair
wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable or wireless like laser, radio waves, and
microwaves.

5. Protocol: It is a set of rules that govern the communication between the

devices. Both sender and receiver follow same protocols to communicate with
each other.

- In general, all networks have certain components, functions, and feature in common,
these include: -
o Source: It is the transmitter of data. Examples are: Terminal, Computer,
Mainframe, etc.
o Medium: The communications stream through which the data is being
transmitted. Examples are: Cabling, Microwave, Fibre optics, Radio Frequencies
(RF), Infrared Wireless, etc.
o Receiver: The receiver of the data transmitted. Examples are: Printer, Terminal,
Mainframe, Computer, etc.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 2

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
1.4. Data communication Fundamentals
- Data communications is the process of transmitting and receiving data in an orderly
way so that data arriving at its destination is an accurate duplication of the data that
was sent.
- For data communications to occur, the communication devices must be part of a
communication system made up of a combination of hardware (physical equipment)
and software (program).
- When the data travels a short distance, the communication is referred to as local
communications.
- When the data travels a long distance, the communication is referred to as
telecommunications; the prefix “tele” is derived from Greek word that means “far”.
- Communication channel is a physical path or frequency for a signal transmission.
 Some channels such as telephone cables provide a physical path for analog
audio signals.
 Other channels might be a frequency or range of frequency, rather than a
physical cable.
- Fundamental characteristic influences the effectiveness of data communication
systems are:-
 Delivery. The system must deliver data to the correct destination. Data must
be
received by the intended device or user and only by that device or user.
 Accuracy. The system must deliver the data accurately. Data that have been
altered in transmission and left uncorrected are unusable.
 Timeliness. The system must deliver data in a timely manner. Data delivered late
are useless. In the case of video and audio, timely delivery means delivering data
as they are produced, in the same order that they are produced, and without
significant delay. This kind of delivery is called real-time transmission.
 Jitter. It refers to the variation in the packet arrival time. It is uneven delay
in the delivery of audio or video packets. For example, let us assume that
video packets are sent every 3D-ms. If some of the packets arrive with 3D-

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 3

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
ms delay and others with 4D-ms delay, an uneven quality in the video is the
result.
1.5. Data communication signals
- Data may be transfer from one device to another by means of some communication
media. The electromagnetic or light waves that transfer data from one device to
another device in encoded form are called signals. Data transmissions across the
network can occur in two forms i.e.: Analog signal and Digital signal.
1.5.1. Analog Signal
o The transfer of data in the form of electrical signals or continuous waves is
called analog signal or analog data transmission.
o An analog signal is measured in volts and its frequency is in hertz (Hz).
o Analog signal is a continuous time signal as shown in the figure below:

o Frequency is the number of times per second that the wave cycle repeats or
oscillates.
o Shorter wave length produce higher frequencies b/c the waves are closer
together.
o Note: The bandwidth of analog signal is measured in Hertz (cycles/second)
o The unit can be expanded by adding prefixes as follows.
1 kilohertz = 1,000 Cycles/Second
1 Megahertz = 1,000,000 Cycles/Second
1 Gigahertz = 1,000,000,000 Cycles/Second
1 Terahertz = 1,000,000,000,000 Cycles/Second

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 4

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

Bandwidth Capacity
 Bandwidth is the transmission capacity of a communications channel.
 In the world of networking, bandwidth is measured in terms of megabits per
second.
 A medium with a high capacity has a high bandwidth; a medium with a low
capacity has a low bandwidth.

1.5.2. Digital signal

o A signal which is discrete with respect to time is called digital signal.
o The transfer of data in the form of digit is called digital signal or digital data
transmission.
o Such signal can be modeled using binary number system as shown in the
figure below.

Note: The bandwidth of digital signals is usually measured in bits per second (BPS).

o The unit can be expanded by adding prefixes as follows.

1 KiloBPS = 1 KBPS = 1,000 BPS
1 MegaBPS = 1 MBPS = 1,000,000 BPS
1 GigaBPS = 1 GBPS = 1,000,000,000 BPS
1 TeraBPS = 1 TBPS = 1,000,000,000,000 BPS

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 5

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

1.6. Mode of communication

- The manner in which data is transmitted from one location to another location is
called data transmission mode.
- There are three ways or modes for transmitting data from one location to another.
These are: Simplex, Half duplex, and Full duplex.
1.6.1. simplex
o In simplex mode, data is transmitted in only one direction. A terminal can only
send data and cannot receive it or it can only receive data but cannot send it.
o Simplex mode is usually used for a remote device that is meant only to receive data.
o It is not possible to confirm successful transmission of data in simplex mode.
o This mode is not widely used in data communication.
o Speaker, radio and television broadcasting are examples of simplex
transmission, on which the signal is send from the transmission to your TV
antenna. There is no return signal.

1.6.2. Half-duplex
o In half duplex mode, data can be transmitted in both directions but only in one
direction at a time.
o During any transmission, one is the transmitter and the other is receiver. So
each time for sending or receiving data, direction of data communication is
reversed, this slow down data transmission rate.
o In half duplex modes, transmission of data can be confirmed.
o Ham radios are example of half duplex data transmission.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 6

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

1.6.3. Full-duplex
o In full-duplex mode, data can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously.
o It is a faster mode for transmitting data because no time wastes in switching
directions.
o Example of full duplex is telephone set in which both the users can talk and
listen at the same time

1.7. Methods of transmission

- LAN data transmissions at Layer 2 fall into three classifications: unicast, multicast,
and broadcast.
- In each type of transmission, a single frame is sent to one node on the network. If the
frame is to be sent to more than one node on the network, the sender must send
individual unicast data streams to each node.
- In a unicast transmission, a single frame or packet is sent from a single source to a
single destination on a network.
- In a multicast transmission environment, a single data frame or a single source to
multiple destinations packet is copied and sent to a specific subset of nodes on the
network.
- In a broadcast transmission environment from a single source to all nodes, a single
data frame or packet is copied and sent to all nodes on the network.
1.7.1. Unicast Transmission
- Unicast is a one-to-one transmission method in which the network carries a message
to one receiver, such as from a server to a LAN workstation.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 7

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- In a unicast environment, even though multiple users might ask for the same
information from the same server at the same time, such as a video clip, duplicate
data streams are sent.
- One stream is sent to each user.
- Unicast sends separate data streams to each computer requesting the data, in turn
flooding the network with traffic.
1.7.2. Multicast Transmission
- Multicast is a one-to-many transmission method in which the network carries a
message to multiple receivers at the same time.
- Multicast is similar to broadcasting, except that multicasting means sending to a
specific group, whereas broadcasting implies sending to everybody, whether they
want the traffic or not.
- When sending large amounts of data, multicast saves considerable network
bandwidth because the bulk of the data is sent only once.
- The data travels from its source through major backbones and is then multiplied, or
distributed out, at switching points closer to the end users.
- This is more efficient than a unicast system, in which the data is copied and
forwarded to each recipient.
1.7.3. Broadcast transmission
- Broadcast is a one-to-all transmission method in which the network carries a message
to all devices at the same time.
- Broadcast message traffic is sent out to every node on the network where the
broadcast is not filtered or blocked by a router.
- Broadcasts are issued by the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) for address
resolution when the location of a user or server is not known.
- Regardless of the reason for a broadcast, the broadcast must reach all possible stations
that might potentially respond.
- All LANs support broadcast transmission.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 8

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

1.8. Transmission media (Communication channel)

- Transmission media is a pathway that carries the information from sender to receiver or
from one node to the other. We use different types of cables or waves to transmit data.
- Data is transmitted normally through electrical or electromagnetic signals. An
electrical signal is in the form of current. An electromagnetic signal is series of
electromagnetic energy pulses at various frequencies.
- These signals can be transmitted through copper wires, optical fibers, atmosphere,
water, vacuum, etc.
- Different Medias have different properties like bandwidth, delay, cost and ease of
installation and maintenance.
Types of Transmission Media
- Transmission media is broadly classified into two groups.
o Wired or Guided Media or Bound Transmission Media
o Wireless or Unguided Media or Unbound Transmission Media
- In general                       

1.8.1. Guided transmission media

- Guided media are the physical links through which signals are confined (limited) to
narrow path. These are also called bounded media.
- Bounded media are great for LABS because they offer high speed, good security and
low cast. However, some time they cannot be used for distance communication.
- Three common types of bounded media are used of the data transmission. These are:
o Coaxial Cable
o Twisted Pairs Cable

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 9

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
o Fiber Optics Cable
COAXIAL CABLE:
- Coaxial cable is very common & widely used commutation media. For example TV
wire is usually coaxial.
- Coaxial cable gets its name because it contains two conductors that are parallel to
each other. The center conductor in the cable is usually copper. The copper can be
either a solid wire or stranded martial.
- Outside this central Conductor is a non-conductive material. It is usually white,
plastic material used to separate the inner Conductor form the outer Conductor.
- The other Conductor is a fine mesh made from Copper. It is used to help shield the
cable form EMI (electro magnetic interferences).
- Outside the copper mesh is the final protective cover.
- The actual data travels through the center conductor in the cable. EMI interference is
caught by outer copper mesh.

- There are different types of coaxial cable vary by gauge & impedance.
- Gauge is the measure of the cable thickness. It is measured by the Radio grade
measurement, or RG number.
- The high the RG number, the thinner the central conductor core, the lower the number
the thicker the core.
- Here the most common coaxial standards.
o 50-Ohm RG-7 or RG-11: used with thick Ethernet.
o 50-Ohm RG-58 : used with thin Ethernet
o 75-Ohm RG-59 : used with cable television
o 93-Ohm RG-62: used with ARCNET.
Types of Coaxial Cable
- There are two types of coaxial cable:

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 10

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
o Thin (thinnet) cable
o Thick (thicknet) cable

- Thinnet Cable: Thinnet cable is a flexible coaxial cable about 0.64 centimeters
(0.25 inches) thick. Because this type of coaxial cable is flexible and easy to work
with, it can be used in almost any type of network installation.
- Thinnet coaxial cable can carry a signal for a distance of up to approximately 185
meters (about 607 feet) before the signal starts to suffer from attenuation.
- Thicknet Cable: Thicknet cable is a relatively rigid coaxial cable about 1.27
centimeters (0.5 inches) in diameter. The following figure shows the difference
between thinnet and thicknet cable. Thicknet cable is sometimes referred to as
Standard Ethernet because it was the first type of cable used with the popular
network architecture-Ethernet. Thicknet cable's copper core is thicker than a
thinnet cable core.

- The thicker the copper core, the farther the cable can carry signals. This means
that thicknet can carry signals farther than thinnet cable. Thicknet cable can carry
a signal for 500 meters (about 1640 feet). Therefore, because of thicknet's ability
to support data transfer over longer distances, it is sometimes used as a backbone
to connect several smaller thinnet-based networks.

- Thinnet vs. Thicknet: As a general rule, the thicker the cable, the more difficult
it is to work with. Thin cable is flexible, easy to install, and relatively
inexpensive. Thick cable does not bend easily and is, therefore, harder to install.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 11

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
This is a consideration when an installation calls for pulling cable through tight
spaces such as conduits and troughs. Thick cable is more expensive than thin
cable, but will carry a signal farther.
Coaxial-Cable Connectors
- Both thinnet and thicknet cable use a connection component, known as a BNC
connector, to make the connections between the cable and the computers. There
are several important components in the BNC family, including the following:

 The BNC cable connector: The following figure shows a BNC cable
connector. The BNC cable connector is either soldered or crimped to the end
of a cable.

 The BNC T connector: The following figure shows a BNC T connector. This
connector joins the network interface card (NIC) in the computer to the
network cable.

 The BNC barrel connector: The following figure shows a BNC barrel
connector. This connector is used to join two lengths of thinnet cable to make
one longer length.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 12

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

 The BNC terminator: The following figure shows a BNC terminator. A

BNC terminator closes each end of the bus cable to absorb stray signals.
Otherwise, the signal will bounce and all network activity will stop.

NOTE: The origin of the acronym "BNC" is unclear, and there

have been many names recognized to these letters, from "British
Naval Connector" to "Bayonet Neill-Councilman." Because there
is no consensus on the proper name and because the technology
industry universally refers to these simply as BNC-type connectors

Coaxial Cable Advantages

o It is less susceptible to interference than twisted-pair cable.
o Transmit data for a greater distance is possible with less expensive cabling.
o Transmit voice, video, and data with moderate level of EMI immunity.
o Offer a familiar technology with reasonable data security.
o It is easy to wire and expand.
Coaxial Cable Disadvantages
o Single cable failure can take down an entire network
o Due to its high metallic content, it is usually expensive than other cable types.

Twisted-Pair Cable
- The most popular network cabling is Twisted pair cable.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 13

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- It is light weight, easy to install, inexpensive and support many different types of
network.
- In its simplest form, twisted-pair cable consists of two insulated strands of copper
wire twisted around each other.
- A number of twisted-pair wires are often grouped together and enclosed in a
protective cover to form a cable. The total number of pairs in a cable varies.
- Each pair is twisted with a different number of twists per inch to help eliminate
interference from adjacent pairs and other electrical devices.
- The maximum cable length segment is 100 meters.
- There are two type of twisted pair cable:
 Unshielded twisted-pair cables (UTP cables)
 Shielded twisted-pair cables (STP cables)
Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) Cable
- UTP is the most popular type of twisted-pair cable and is fast becoming the most
popular LAN cabling.
- UTP specifications govern how many twists are permitted per foot of cable; the
number of twists allowed depends on the purpose to which the cable will be put.

- There are 7 standard categories of UTP cable:

 Category 1 This refers to traditional UTP telephone cable that can carry
only voice but not data transmissions.
 Category 2 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to 4
megabits per second (Mbps). It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire.
 Category 3 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to
16 Mbps. It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire with three twists
per foot.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 14

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
 Category 4 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to
20 Mbps. It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire.
 Category 5 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to
100 Mbps. It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire.
 Category 5e Improved version of cat 5 category. The bandwidth is
1000MBPS.
 Category 6 Similar to CAT5 wire, but contains a physical separator
between the 4 pairs to further reduce electromagnetic interference
- One potential problem with all types of cabling is crosstalk.
- Crosstalk is defined the situation in which, signals from one line interfering with
signals from another line.
- UTP is particularly susceptible to crosstalk, but the greater the number of twists
per foot of cable, the more effective the protection against crosstalk
- The following figure shows crosstalk between two UTP cables..

Twisted-Pair Cabling Components

- While we have defined twisted-pair cabling by the number of twists and its ability
to transmit data, additional components are necessary to complete an installation.
- As it is with telephone cabling, a twisted-pair cable network requires connectors
and other hardware to ensure proper installation.
Connection hardware
- Twisted-pair cabling uses RJ-45 telephone connectors to connect to a computer.
- These are similar to RJ-11 telephone connectors.
- Although RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors look alike at first glance, there are crucial
differences between them.
- The RJ-45 connector is slightly larger and will not fit into the RJ-11 telephone jack.
The RJ-45 connector houses eight cable connections, while the RJ-11 houses only four.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 15

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

- Several components are available to help and organize large UTP installations and
make them easier to work with.
o Distribution racks and rack shelves Distribution racks and rack shelves
can create more room for cables where there isn't much floor space. Using
them is a good way to organize a network that has a lot of connections.
o Expandable patch panels These come in various versions that support up
to 96 ports and transmission speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
o Jack couplers These single or double RJ-45 jacks snap into patch panels
and wall plates and support data rates of up to 100 Mbps.
o Wall plates these support two or more couplers.

- UTP advantages
 It has a large installed base and is a familiar technology.
 It is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

 Most LAN systems are readily capable of running over UTP.

 It does not require bonding and grounding.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 16

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
 Easy to install.
- UTP disadvantages
 High-quality UTP systems require specialized installation procedures.
 UTP is potentially more sensitive to external electromagnetic interference,
crosstalk, and attenuation than other media.

 Not recommended for LAN that requires a high level of security and you
must be absolutely sure of data integrity.

 Not suitable for transmitting data over long distances at high speeds.

Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) Cable

- It is similar to UTP but has a mesh shielding that’s protects it from EMI which
allows for higher quality transmission.
- STP also uses a foil (very thin sheet of metal) wrap around each of the wire pairs.
- This gives STP excellent shielding to protect the transmitted data from outside
interference, which in turn allows it to support higher transmission rates over
longer distances than UTP.

STP advantage
o Provides better performance than UTP in environments with high noise
levels (high levels of unwanted electrical signals).
STP disadvantages
o It is more labor-intensive than UTP to install.
o Not all LAN systems work readily over STP.
o Susceptible to ground faults through the shield.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 17

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
Fiber Optics Cable
- Fiber optic cable uses electrical signals to transmit data. It uses light. In fiber optic
cable light only moves in one direction for two way communication to take place
a second connection must be made between the two devices.
- It is actually two stands of cable. Each stand is responsible for one direction of
communication.
- A laser at one device sends pulse of light through this cable to other device. These
pulses translated into “1’s” and “0’s” at the other end.
- In the center of fiber cable is a glass stand or core. The light from the laser moves
through this glass to the other device around the internal core is a reflective
material known as CLADDING. No light escapes the glass core because of this
reflective cladding.
- Fiber optic cable has bandwidth more than 2 GBPS (Gigabytes per Second)

Types of Fiver optics cable

- There are two basic types of fiber: multimode fiber and single-mode fiber.
- Multimode fiber is best designed for short transmission distances, and is suited
for use in LAN systems and video surveillance.
- This fiber type has a much larger core diameter, compared to single-mode fiber,
allowing for the larger number of modes, and multimode fiber is easier to couple
than single-mode optical fiber.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 18

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

- Single-mode fiber is best designed for longer transmission distances, making it

suitable for long-distance telephony and multi-channel television broadcast
systems.
- Single-mode fiber also enjoys lower fiber attenuation than multimode fiber. Thus,
more information can be transmitted per unit of time.

Advantages of Fiber Optic Cable:

o Capable of extremely high speed
o Low attenuation
o Extremely low attenuation
o No EMI interference
Disadvantages Fiber Optics:
o Very costly
o Very Hard to install
Fiber optic cable uses two types of connectors

1. Screw Mounted Adapters (SMA)

 SMA connector is mounted/screwed on the end
2.  Spring-loaded Twist (ST)
 Uses a spring loaded twist to clamp to the cable
 Common than SMA

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 19

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
Cable Components
- As with most network components, there are trades-off with the type of cable you
purchase.
- Cabling depends on the needs of a particular site. The cabling you purchase to set
up a LAN for a small business has different requirements than those of a larger
organization, such as a major banking institution.
- Some of the considerations which affect cabling price and performance include:
 Installation logistics
How easy is the cable to install and work with? In a small installation
where distances are short and security isn't a major issue, it does not
make sense to choose thick and expensive cable.
 Shielding
The level of shielding required will be an added cost. Almost every
network will be using some form of shielded cable. The noisier the area
in which the cable is run, the more shielding will be required.
 Crosstalk
Crosstalk and noise can cause serious problems in large networks where
data security is crucial. Inexpensive cabling has low resistance to
outside electrical fields generated by power lines, motors, relays, and
radio transmitters. This makes it susceptible to both noise and crosstalk.
 Transmission speed
Transmission rates are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). A
standard reference point for current LAN transmission over copper cable
is 10 Mbps, however, recent standards now allow > 100 Mbps
transmission speeds.
 Cost
Better cable, which transmits data securely over long distances, is more
expensive than thin cable, which is easy to install and work with.
 Attenuation
Attenuation is the reason for cable specifications that recommend
certain length limits on different types of cabling. If a signal suffers too
much attenuation, it will not be understood by the receiving computer.
Most networks have error checking systems that will generate a
retransmission if the signal is too weak to be understood, but
retransmission takes time and slows down the network.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 20

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
Properties of Cables
- The reason that many different types of cables are used in a network is that each
type of cable has its own properties and therefore is best used for a specific area
or purpose in the network.
- Different types of cables may vary in regard to many properties including
o transmission speeds
o distance
o duplex
o noise immunity and
o frequency
Factors Affecting Cable Performance
- In view of cost, care needs to be taken otherwise the performance of the cables
will deteriorate and the cables will require replacement. By taking suitable
precautions, the life of the cables can be maximized and the periodic replacement
costs for cables can be reduced.
- There are many factors that affect coax cables to greater or lesser degrees:
o Humidity and water vapor
o Sunlight
o Corrosive vapors and liquids
Coaxial Considerations
- Use coaxial cable if you need:
o A medium that will transmit voice, video, and data.
o To transmit data longer distances than less expensive cabling can transmit.
o A familiar technology that offers reasonable data security.
Twisted-Pair Considerations
- Use twisted-pair cable if:
o Your LAN is under budget constraints.
o You want a relatively easy installation where computer connections are simple.
- Do not use twisted-pair cable if:-

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 21

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
o You must be absolutely sure of data integrity transmitted over great
distances at high speeds.
Fiber-Optic Considerations
- Use fiber-optic cable if you:
o Need to transmit data at very high speeds over long distances in a very
secure media.
- Do not use fiber-optic cable if you:
o Are under a tight budget.
o Do not have the expertise available to properly install it and connect
devices to it.
Selecting Cabling
- To determine which cabling is the best for a particular site you need to answer the
following questions:
o How heavy will the network traffic be?
o What are the security needs of the network?
o What are the distances the cable must cover?
o What are the cable options?
o What is the budget for cabling?
- The more the cable protects against internal and external electrical noise, the
farther and faster the cable will carry a clear signal. However, the better the speed,
clarity, and security, the higher the cabling cost.

UTP cabling tools and cabling

- If you want to make custom cable lengths or crossover cables, or repair a broken
connector, make sure you have the necessary tools,
- What you'll need is:
o Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) patch cable
o Modular connector (RJ45)
o Crimping tool
o Cable tester (optional, but recommended)

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 22

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- There are four pairs of wires in an Ethernet cable, and an Ethernet connector has
eight pin slots. Each pin is identified by a number, starting from left to right, with
the clip facing away from you.
- The two standards for wiring Ethernet cables are T568A and T568B.
- The tables below show the proper orientation of the colored wires to the pins.
T568B Standard
T568A Standard Pin 1 White/Orange
Pin 1 White/Green Pin 2 Orange
Pin 2 Green Pin 3 White/Green
Pin 3 White/Orange Pin 4 Blue
Pin 4 Blue Pin 5 White/Blue
Pin 5 White/Blue Pin 6 Green
Pin 6 Orange Pin 7 White/Brown
Pin 7 White/Brown Pin 8 Brown
Pin 8 Brown

Step 1: Strip the cable jacket about 1.5 inches down from the end.

Step 2: Spread the four pairs of twisted wire apart.

Step 3: Untwist the wire pairs and neatly align them in the T568B orientation.

Step 4: Cut the wires as straight as possible, about 0.5 inches above the end of the jacket.

Step 5: Carefully insert the wires all the way into the modular connector, making sure
that each wire passes through the appropriate guides inside the connector.

Step 6: Push the connector inside the crimping tool and squeeze the crimper all the way down.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 23

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
Step 7: Repeat steps 1-6 for the other end of the cable.

Step 8: To make sure you've successfully terminated each end of the cable, use a cable
tester to test each pin.

- There are three types of Ethernet cables you can make.

 Straight through
 Crossover and
 Rollover cables.
- Straight through is used to connect dissimilar devices. Like:-
o Switch – PC
o Switch – Server
o Hub – PC
o Hub – Server
 For straight through cables, both ends must be the same that means
T568A or T568B.
- Crossover cable is used to connect similar devices. Like:-
o Switch – Switch
o Switch – Hub
o Hub – Hub
o PC – PC
 For crossover cables, simply make one end of the cable a T568A
and the other end a T568B.
- Rollover cables, like other cabling types, got their name from how
they are wired. Rollover cables essentially have one end of the cable
wired exactly opposite from the other. This essentially “rolls over”
the wires- but why would we need to do such a thing? Usually it connects a
device to a router or switch’s console port. This allows a programmer to make a
connection to the router or switch, and program it as needed.
o Note: But nowadays the standard is becoming obsolete due to the fact that
Auto-MDIX (automatic medium dependent interface crossover)
technology on devices grows with each device that supports it. This means

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 24

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
that ports do not need to know what type of cable is used when you
connect two devices.

1.8.2. Unguided transmission media (Wireless transmission)

- The wireless environment is an often appropriate, and sometimes necessary,
networking option. Today, manufacturers are offering more products at attractive prices
that, in turn, will mean increased sales and demand in the future. As demand increases,
the wireless environment will grow and improve.

- The phrase "wireless environment" is misleading because it implies a network

completely free of cabling. In most cases, this is not true. Most wireless networks
actually consist of wireless components communicating with a network that uses the
cabling discussed earlier in this chapter in a mixed-component network called a hybrid
network.

- Wireless networks are attracting attention because wireless components can:

o Provide temporary connections to an existing, cabled network.
o Provide backup to an existing network.
o Provide some degree of portability.
o Extend networks beyond the limits of physical connectivity.
Uses for Wireless-Network Connectivity

- The inherent difficulty of setting up cable networks is a factor that will

continue to push wireless environments toward greater acceptance.
- Wireless connectivity can be especially useful for networking:
o Busy locations, such as lobbies and reception areas.
o Users who are constantly on the move, such as doctors and nurses in hospitals.
o Isolated areas and buildings.
o Departments in which the physical setting changes frequently and unpredictably.
o Structures, such as historic buildings, for which cabling present’s challenges.
Types of Wireless Networks

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 25

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- Wireless networks can be divided into three categories based on their
technology:
o LANs
o Extended LANs
o Mobile computing
- The primary difference between these categories lies in the transmission
facilities.
- Wireless LANs and extended LANs use transmitters and receivers owned by
the company in which the network operates.
- Mobile computing uses public carriers, such as long distance telephone
companies, along with local telephone companies and their public services, to transmit and
receive signals.
LANs
- Except for the media used, a typical wireless network operates almost like a
cabled network: a wireless network interface card with a transceiver is installed in each
computer, and users communicate with the network just as if they were using cabled
computers.
- The transceiver, sometimes called an access point, broadcasts and receives
signals to and from the surrounding computers and passes data back and forth between
the wireless computers and the cabled network.
- These wireless LANs use small wall-mounted transceivers to connect to the
wired network.
- The transceivers establish radio contact with portable networked devices.
 Note that this is not a true wireless LAN, because it uses a wall-
mounted transceiver to connect to a standard, cabled LAN.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 26

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics

- Wireless LANs use four techniques for transmitting data:

1. Infrared transmission
2. Laser transmission
3. Narrowband (single-frequency) radio transmission
4. Spread-spectrum radio transmission

Infrared Transmission: -
- All infrared wireless networks operate by using an infrared light beam to carry
the data between devices. These systems need to generate very strong signals because
weak transmission signals are susceptible to interference from light sources such as
windows.
- Many of the high-end printers sold today are preconfigured to accept infrared
signals.
- This method can transmit signals at high rates because of infrared light's high
bandwidth.
- An infrared network can normally broadcast at 10 Mbps.
- There are four types of infrared networks:
 Line-of-sight networks: As the name implies, this version of infrared
networking transmits only if the transmitter and receiver have a clear line of
sight between them.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 27

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
 Scatter infrared networks: In this technology, broadcast transmissions
are bounced off walls and ceilings and eventually hit the receiver. They are
effective within an area limited to about 30.5 meters (100 feet).
 Reflective networks: Optical transceivers situated near the computers
transmit to a common location that redirects the transmissions to the
appropriate computer.
 Broadband optical telepoint: This infrared wireless LAN provides
broadband services and is capable of handling high-quality multimedia
requirements that can match those provided by a cabled network.
- While its speed and convenience are generating interest, infrared has difficulty
transmitting for distances greater than 30.5 meters (100 feet). It is also subject to
interference from the strong ambient light found in most business environments.
Laser Transmission: -
- Laser technology is similar to infrared technology in that it requires a direct
line of sight, and any person or thing that breaks the laser beam will block the
transmission.

Narrowband (Single-Frequency) Radio Transmission: -

- This approach is similar to broadcasting from a radio station. The user tunes
both the transmitter and the receiver to a certain frequency. This does not require line-of-
sight focusing because the broadcast range is 3000 meters (9842 feet). However, because
the signal is high frequency, it is subject to attenuation from steel and load-bearing walls.
Narrowband radio is a subscription service. This method is relatively slow; transmission
is in the 4.8 Mbps range.
Spread-Spectrum Radio Transmission: -
- Spread-spectrum radio broadcasts signals over a range of frequencies. This
helps it avoid narrowband communication problems.
- The available frequencies are divided into channels, known as hops, which
are comparable to one leg of a journey that includes intervening stops between
the starting point and the destination. The spread-spectrum adapters tune in to a specific

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 28

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
hop for a predetermined length of time, after which they switch to a different hop. A
hopping sequence determines the timing. The computers in the network are all
synchronized to the hop timing. This type of signaling provides some built-in security in
that the frequency-hopping algorithm of the network would have to be known in order to
tap into the data stream.
- To further enhance security and to keep unauthorized users from listening in
to the broadcast, the sender and the receiver can encrypt the transmission.
- Spread-spectrum radio technology provides for a truly wireless network.
- Although some implementations of spread-spectrum radio can offer
transmission speeds of 4 Mbps over distances of about 3.22 kilometers (two miles)
outdoors and 244 meters (800 feet) indoors, the typical speed of 250 Kbps (kilobits per
second) makes this method much slower than the other wireless networking options
discussed.

Point-to-Point Transmission

- The point-to-point method of data communication does not fall neatly into the
present definitions of networking. It uses a point-to-point technology that transfers data
from one computer to another instead of communicating among several computers and
peripherals. However, additional components such as single and host transceivers are
available. These can be implemented in either stand-alone computers or computers
already on a network to form a wireless data-transfer network.
- This technology involves wireless serial data transfer that:
o Uses a point-to-point radio link for fast, error-free data transmission.
o Penetrates through walls, ceilings, and floors.
o Supports data rates from 1.2 to 38.4 Kbps up to 61 meters (200 feet) indoors or
about 0.5 kilometers (0.30 miles) with line-of-sight transmission.
- This type of system transfers data between computers, or between computers
and other devices such as printers or bar-code readers.
Extended LANs

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 29

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- Other types of wireless components are able to function in the extended LAN
environment similarly to their cabled counterparts. A wireless LAN bridge, for example,
can connect networks up to 4.8 kilometers (three miles) apart.

Multipoint Wireless Connectivity

- A wireless bridge is a component that offers an easy way to link buildings

without using cable. In the same way that a footbridge provides a path between two
points, a wireless bridge provides a data path between two buildings. The following
figure shows a wireless bridge connecting two LANs. With variations that depend on
atmospheric and geographic conditions, this distance can be up to 4.8 kilometers (three
miles).

- Though costly, such a component might be justified because it eliminates the

expense of leased lines.

The Long-Range Wireless Bridge

- If the wireless bridge will not reach far enough, another alternative to consider
is a long-range wireless bridge. These also use spread-spectrum radio technology to
provide both Ethernet and Token Ring bridging, but for a distance of up to 40 kilometers
(about 25 miles).
- As with the original wireless bridge, the cost of the long-range bridge might
be justified because it eliminates the need for T1 line or microwave connections.
Mobile Computing

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 30

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- Wireless mobile networks use telephone carriers and public services to
transmit and receive signals using:
o Packet-radio communication.
o Cellular networks.
o Satellite stations.
- Traveling employees can use this technology with portable computers or
personal digital assistants (PDAs) to exchange e-mail messages, files, or other
information.
- While this form of communication offers convenience, it is slow.
Transmission rates range from 8 Kbps to 19.2 Kbps. The rates slow further when error
correction is included.
- Mobile computing incorporates wireless adapters that use cellular-telephone
technology to connect portable computers with the cabled network. Portable computers
use small antennas to communicate with radio towers in the surrounding area. Satellites
in near-earth orbit pick up low-powered signals from portable and mobile networked
devices.
- This system breaks a transmission into packets (A packet is a unit of
information transmitted as a whole from one device to another on a network).
- These radio packets are similar to other network packets. They include:
o The source address.
o The destination address.
o Error-correction information.
- The packets are linked up to a satellite that broadcasts them. Only devices
with the correct address can receive the broadcast packets.

Cellular Networks
- Cellular network uses the same technology and some of the same systems that
cellular telephones use. It offers computer data transmissions over existing analog voice
networks between voice calls when the system is not busy. This is very fast technology
that suffers only sub-seconds delay, making it reliable enough for real-time transmission.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 31

 St. Mary’s University
Faculty of Informatics
- As in other wireless networks, there must be a way to tie the cellular network
in to the existing cabled network.
Satellite Stations
- Microwave systems are a good choice for interconnecting buildings in small,
short-distance systems such as those on a campus or in an industrial park.
- Microwave transmission is currently the most widely used long-distance
transmission method. It is excellent for communicating between two line-of-sight points
such as:
o Satellite-to-ground links.
o Between two buildings.
o Across large, flat, open areas, such as bodies of water or deserts.

- A microwave system consists of the following:

o Two radio transceivers: one to generate (transmitting station) and one to receive
(receiving station) the broadcast.
o Two directional antennas pointed at each other to implement communication of
the signals broadcast by the transceivers. These antennas are often installed on
towers to give them more range and to raise them above anything that might block
their signals.

Data communication and computer network Biruk W. 32