Introduction to Networks

Network Fundamentals

• Not all devices in a network are considered nodes; printers, for example, are not nodes.
• Besides computers, other devices that can be nodes in a network include printers, scanners, and servers.

Data Communication

• Timeliness refers to the ability of a system to deliver data within a specified time constraint.
• Various types of communication media can be used to connect devices in a network, including twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and wireless networks.

Data Communication Modes

• Simplex mode is unidirectional, like a one-way street, where one station can only transmit and the other can only receive.
• Half-duplex mode allows both stations to transmit and receive, but not at the same time.
• Full-duplex mode enables both stations to transmit and receive simultaneously.

Data Communication Process

• The sender is responsible for converting the data into a transmittable format and sending it over the transmission medium.
• The transmission medium is used to transmit data between devices.

Network Performance

• Network criteria can be measured using transit time and response time.
• Throughput is often used to evaluate the performance of a network.
• Performance can be measured using criteria such as bandwidth, latency, and reliability.

Network Security

• The primary purpose of a network is to share resources and exchange data between devices.
• Confidentiality ensures that only the intended device or user receives the data.

Network Characteristics

• Two computers are said to be interconnected if they can exchange data.
• An effective network is differentiated from an ineffective one by its ability to provide reliable, efficient, and secure data communication.
• A protocol represents an agreement between communicating devices in data communication.
• The components of data communication include the sender, receiver, message, transmission medium, and protocol.