Data Communications Fundamentals Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of data communications?

  • To process data and generate reports.
  • To store data in a secure location.
  • To analyze data and identify trends.
  • To exchange information between two or more devices. (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental characteristic of an effective data communications system?

  • Delivery
  • Timeliness
  • Accuracy
  • Security (correct)

    • Which of the following BEST describes the concept of jitter in data communication?

  • The delay in data transmission caused by network congestion.
  • The loss of data packets during transmission.
  • The variation in the packet arrival time, resulting in uneven delay. (correct)
  • The distortion of data signals during transmission.

    • What is the role of a transmission medium in data communications?

    <p>To carry data signals between communicating devices. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is accuracy a crucial characteristic of an effective data communication system?

    <p>To ensure the data received is the same as the data sent. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between wired and wireless transmission mediums in data communications?

    <p>Wired mediums use physical cables, while wireless mediums use radio waves or other electromagnetic signals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a component of a data communications system?

    <p>Data Storage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of communication protocols in data communications?

    <p>To ensure that all devices on a network use the same language and format for communication. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used for the amount of time it takes for a message to travel from one device to another?

    <p>Transit Time (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two primary metrics used to assess network performance?

    <p>Throughput and Delay (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors can affect the performance of a network?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of a 'protocol' in a data communications system?

    <p>Defines the rules for communication between devices. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the type of transmission medium affect network performance?

    <p>It determines the data rate or speed of data transfer. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of network reliability?

    <p>It refers to the frequency of network failures and the time it takes to restore service. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'host' in a network context?

    <p>A device that can communicate with other devices on a network. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor considered when evaluating network reliability?

    <p>The number of data packets transmitted per second (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered a discrete form of data?

    <p>Text Document (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is video data different from audio data?

    <p>Video data can be either continuous or discrete, while audio is always continuous. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of "network robustness in a catastrophe"?

    <p>The ability of the network to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes or fires. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A network that fails frequently is considered to have:

    <p>Low reliability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a possible transmission medium in a data communication system?

    <p>Printed paper (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of a network?

    <p>Facilitates communication and data sharing between interconnected devices. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a component of a data communications system?

    <p>Memory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a computer and a television in the context of a data communications system?

    <p>A computer can send and receive data, while a television only receives data. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a mesh topology, what does a dedicated link imply?

    <p>The link is dedicated to carrying traffic between only the two devices it connects. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a mesh topology?

    <p>Easy reconfiguration. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Calculate the number of links required for a mesh network with 5 devices.

    <p>10 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of a central device in a star topology?

    <p>Acting as a central point for data traffic flow. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit of a star topology?

    <p>High performance due to dedicated connections. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between a mesh and a star topology?

    <p>A mesh topology allows direct communication between devices, while a star topology requires data to pass through a central device. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which topology is data transmitted sequentially from one device to the next, forming a loop?

    <p>Ring (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which topology is most commonly used for home and small office networks due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness?

    <p>Star (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these network topologies is best suited for a small office with a limited budget?

    <p>Bus Topology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of a bus topology network?

    <p>It can be difficult to isolate faults. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a characteristic of a ring topology network?

    <p>Data travels in two directions around the ring. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a drop line in a bus topology network?

    <p>A cable that connects a device to the main bus cable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a controller in a star topology network?

    <p>To manage the flow of data between devices. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which network topology allows for easy fault isolation?

    <p>Star topology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main disadvantage of a ring topology?

    <p>A single break in the ring can disrupt the entire network. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the defining characteristic of a hybrid topology?

    <p>It uses a combination of different network topologies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which transmission mode can only one station transmit at a time, while the other station can only receive?

    <p>Simplex (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a full-duplex transmission mode?

    <p>Only one station can transmit at a time, the other can only receive. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which transmission mode is best represented by the analogy of a two-way street with traffic flowing in both directions at the same time?

    <p>Full-duplex (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios exemplifies a simplex transmission mode?

    <p>A keyboard input to a computer monitor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between half-duplex and full-duplex transmission modes?

    <p>The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following devices operates in half-duplex transmission mode?

    <p>A walkie-talkie (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which transmission mode is typically used in modern network communications?

    <p>Full-duplex (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A transmission mode in which communication is one-way and unidirectional is called:

    <p>Simplex (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Broadcasting

    Sending out video or audio signals to multiple recipients simultaneously.

    Data Communication

    The process of sending and receiving messages via a transmission medium.

    Message

    The information that is transmitted during communication, like text, audio, or video.

    Sender

    The device that sends the message in a communication system, such as a computer or camera.

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    Receiver

    The device that receives the message, such as a computer or telephone.

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    Transmission Medium

    The physical path through which the message travels, like cables or radio waves.

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    Protocol

    A set of rules governing data communication between devices.

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    Network

    An interconnection of devices that can communicate with each other.

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    Network Devices

    Devices like routers, switches, and modems that connect networks and devices.

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    Network Effectiveness Criteria

    Criteria that determine a network's efficiency, mainly performance, reliability, and security.

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    Network Performance

    Measured by transit time and response time, indicating how well a network operates.

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    Transit Time

    The time required for a message to travel from one device to another.

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    Response Time

    The time elapsed between sending an inquiry and receiving a response.

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    Factors Affecting Performance

    Includes number of users, transmission medium, hardware, and software used.

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    Network Reliability

    Measured by frequency of failure, recovery time from failure, and robustness in a disaster.

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    Robustness in Catastrophy

    A network's ability to withstand and recover from disasters or failures.

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    Components of Data Communications

    Includes hardware and software for effective data exchange.

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    Delivery

    Characteristic: data must reach the correct destination device or user.

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    Accuracy

    Characteristic: data must be delivered without alteration or error.

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    Timeliness

    Characteristic: data must be delivered promptly and in order.

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    Jitter

    Variation in packet arrival time causing uneven delays in data delivery.

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    Real-time Transmission

    Timely delivery of data without significant delay during transmission.

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    Network Types

    LAN, MAN, and WAN are different types of network setups.

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    Topology

    The structure and layout of a network.

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    Physical Topology

    The physical arrangement of network devices and links.

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    Network Topologies

    The different layouts of network connections.

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    Mesh Topology

    Each device connects directly to every other device.

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    Mesh Topology - Advantages

    Eliminates traffic issues; robust and secure.

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    Mesh Topology - Disadvantages

    Complex installation and expensive hardware.

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    Star Topology

    All devices connect to a central hub.

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    Star Topology - Limitation

    No direct communication between devices.

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    Hybrid Topology

    A network configuration combining multiple topologies.

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    Star Backbone

    Central hub connecting various networks in a star configuration.

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    Ring Network

    A network topology where each device is connected to two others, forming a ring.

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    Bus Backbone

    A communication system where all devices share a single communication line.

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    Transmission Mode

    The direction of information flow between devices.

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    Simplex Mode

    One-way communication where only one device can transmit at a time.

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    Half-Duplex Mode

    Communication where devices can transmit and receive, but not simultaneously.

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    Full-Duplex Mode

    Simultaneous two-way communication where both devices can transmit and receive at the same time.

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    Controller

    A device that relays data between two devices in a network.

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    Advantages of Star Topology

    Benefits include easy fault identification, installation, and robustness.

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    Disadvantages of Star Topology

    Requires every node linked to the hub, needing more cabling.

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    Bus Topology

    A network type where all devices connect to a single cable.

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    Advantages of Bus Topology

    Easy installation and uses less cabling compared to other topologies.

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    Disadvantages of Bus Topology

    Hard to reconfigure or isolate faults; a cable break stops transmission.

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    Ring Topology

    A network topology where devices connect in a closed loop, passing signals one way.

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    Study Notes

    Data Communication Concepts

    • Data communication is the exchange of data between two devices using a transmission medium, such as a wire cable.
    • Communicating devices are part of a communications system combining hardware (physical equipment) and software (programs).
    • Data effectiveness depends on four fundamental characteristics: Delivery, Accuracy, Timeliness, and Jitter.

    Four Fundamental Characteristics

    • Delivery: Data must reach the correct destination, only to the intended device or user.
    • Accuracy: Data must be delivered without alteration during transmission.
    • Timeliness: Data must be delivered in a timely manner, especially for real-time applications like video and audio transmission.
    • Jitter: Jitter is the variation in packet arrival time, which can impact the quality of audio or video.

    Purpose of Data Communication

    • Data refers to facts, concepts, and instructions presented in a form agreed upon. In computer systems, data is represented as binary (0s and 1s).
    • Information comes in various formats: text, numbers, images, audio, and video.

    Message (Cont.)

    • Text is represented as a bit pattern (sequence of 0s and 1s); different sets of bit patterns create codes for representing text symbols.
    • Numbers are represented in direct binary format.
    • Images are composed of pixels represented by bit patterns, with resolution affecting the number of pixels.
    • Audio is continuous, unlike text or numbers.
    • Video refers to the recording or broadcasting of a picture or movie, combining discrete images for the appearance of motion.

    Five Components of a Data Communications System

    • Message: The information to be communicated (e.g., text, numbers, images).
    • Sender: The device initiating the transmission of the message (e.g., computer, telephone).
    • Receiver: The device receiving the message (e.g., computer, telephone).
    • Transmission Medium: The physical path the message travels through (e.g., wires, cables, radio waves).
    • Protocol: A set of rules governing data transmission.

    Networks

    • A network is the interconnection of devices capable of communication.
    • Devices can include large computers, desktops, laptops, workstations, cellular phones, or security systems.

    Network Criteria

    • Networks must meet criteria for performance, reliability, and security to be considered effective and efficient.

    Performance

    • Performance can be measured using transit time (time taken for a message to travel between devices) and response time (time taken from inquiry to response).
    • Performance depends on the number of concurrent users, type of transmission medium, network hardware, and software.

    Reliability

    • Measured by the frequency of failure and recovery time after a failure, as well as the network's robustness in a disaster.

    Security

    • Protecting data from unauthorized access and viruses is crucial.
    • A good network has security features in hardware and software designed to prevent unauthorized access and viruses, as well as implement policies and procedures for recovery from breaches.

    Line Characteristics

    • A link is a communication pathway transferring data between devices.
    • Typical line configurations are point-to-point and multi-drop.

    Types of Connections: Point-to-point and Multipoint

    • Point-to-point: A dedicated link between two devices.
    • Multipoint: Multiple devices share a single link, either spatially or temporally.

    Types of Standards

    • De jure: Standards legislated by an officially recognized body.
    • De facto: Standards that have not been approved by an organization but have become widespread through use.

    Network Topologies (Cont.)

    • Mesh: Each device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every other device.
    • Star: All devices connect to a central device (hub or switch).
    • Bus: All devices connect to a single cable (backbone).
    • Ring: Devices connect in a closed loop.
    • Hybrid: A combination of two or more basic topologies.

    Transmission Mode

    • Simplex: One-way communication; only one station can transmit at a time.
    • Half-duplex: Communication in both directions, but only one way at a time.
    • Full-duplex: Communication in both directions simultaneously.

    Network Types: LAN, MAN, WAN

    • LAN (Local Area Network): relatively small area (e.g., building, office)
    • MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): larger than LAN but smaller than WAN, covering a city
    • WAN (Wide Area Network): large geographical area (e.g., country, world) encompassing multiple LANs.

    Internetwork

    • When two or more networks are connected, they form an internetwork (or internet).
    • A WAN can connect geographically separate LANs.

    Internet Today

    • The Internet today uses a network of peering points and backbones.

    Exercise Questions

    • There are exercises to design different hybrid network topologies. These require diagrams.

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    Data Communication Concepts PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the fundamental concepts of data communications. This quiz covers key characteristics, transmission mediums, and the importance of protocols in effective communication systems. Perfect for anyone studying telecommunications or networking.

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