1.1
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.2
1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS
The term telecommunication means communication at a distance. The word data refers to information presented in whatever form is agreed upon by the parties creating and using the data. Data communications are the exchange of data between two devices via some form of transmission medium such as a wire cable.
Components
Data Representation�Data Flow
Topics discussed in this section:
1.3
Figure 1.1 Five components of data communication
1.4
Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex)
1.5
1-2 NETWORKS
A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes) connected by communication links. A node can be a computer, printer, or any other device capable of sending and/or receiving data generated by other nodes on the network.
Distributed Processing
Network Criteria�Physical Structures�Network Models�Categories of Networks�Interconnection of Networks: Internetwork
Topics discussed in this section:
1.6
Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint
1.7
Figure 1.4 Categories of topology
1.8
Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh topology (five devices)
1.9
Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four stations
1.10
Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting three stations
1.11
Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six stations
1.12
Figure 1.9 A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus networks
1.13
Figure 1.10 An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet
1.14
Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN
1.15
Figure 1.12 A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs
1.16
1-3 THE INTERNET
The Internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily lives. It has affected the way we do business as well as the way we spend our leisure time. The Internet is a communication system that has brought a wealth of information to our fingertips and organized it for our use.
A Brief History
The Internet Today (ISPs)
Topics discussed in this section:
1.17
Figure 1.13 Hierarchical organization of the Internet
1.18
1-4 PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS
In this section, we define two widely used terms: protocols and standards. First, we define protocol, which is synonymous with rule. Then we discuss standards, which are agreed-upon rules.
Protocols�Standards
Standards Organizations�Internet Standards
Topics discussed in this section: