3.1.5 Data transmission a.

What are the characteristics of a LAN (local area network) and a WAN (wide area network)? http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-lan-and-wan/ http://www.computer-realm.net/lan-wan/ http://www.helium.com/items/1066784-what-are-the-differences-between-lan-and-wan http://www.diffen.com/difference/LAN_vs_WAN good table with comparisons. Text book: p44
Characteristics of a LAN are as follows: LANs are small to medium-sized networks and generally connect network devices that are no more than a few miles of one another, which Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) defines as being 4 km or less in diameter. LANs include networks that have been set up in homes, offices, the floor of a building, an entire building, a campus or group of nearby buildings, or facilities that are relatively close to one another. Typically, a LAN is owned by a single person or organization and is managed by a single person or group of people.

WHAT IS A WAN?
A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network covering a wide geographical area, including more than one remote location. The geographically dispersed locations are interconnected, thus forming a WAN. Characteristics of a WAN are as follows: WANs can span great geographical distances and connect different LANs together using high-speed solutions or telephone lines. A WAN may connect LANs in different cities, regions, states/provinces, or even countries. With WANs, ownership isnt a defining factor. WANs are often owned and managed by more than one organization. Each LAN that is part of the WAN may be managed by individuals or IT departments, and either the former or the latter maintains its connection to the rest of the LAN or hires outside parties to perform that function.

SWITCHING METHODS
WANs are based on one of two types of switching methods: circuit switching and packet switching. Circuit switching Circuit-switched networks are networks that are dialed on demand. The connection must be initiated before transmission can take place. Example: Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Packet switching Packet-switched networks are always on. When you set the carriers link up, it stays up. Examples: Frame Relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), switched multimegabit data services (SMDSes), and X.25. Additional characteristics of packet-switched networks are as follows: They divide the transmitting data into packets in which each is sent individually from the source to the destination. All packets are given sequence numbers so that they can all be put back together again in the right order at the destination. Each packet can take a different route to get to its destination.
An effective way of understanding how a local area network is related to a WAN is to look at how they are

3.1.5 Data transmission

connected and how data is sent. This may differ from organization to organization, as there are several different ways of getting data from a LAN to a WAN, including the following: Modem is a device that allows you to connect to other computers and devices using telephone lines. Generally, when a modem is mentioned, it refers to a dial-up modem (as opposed to the digital modems used for other methods mentioned below). This type of connection is slow and allows connections at a maximum of 56 Kbps (meaning that 56,000 bits of data can be sent or received per second) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) sends data over telephone lines but at higher speeds up to 128 Kbps but averaging at 64 Kbps using an ISDN modem or router. Digital subscriber line (DSL) sends data across telephone lines at speeds ranging from 1.5 million bits per second (Mbps) using a router or digital modem and configured phone lines. Cable transmits the data across cable lines using the same lines used for cable television at speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps. Satellite transmits data to a satellite at speeds of up to 400 Kbps. T1 and T3 are dedicated connections that provide extremely high speeds. A T1 line provides speeds of 1.544 Mbps, while a T3 line provides speeds ranging from 3 Mbps to 44.736 Mbps

b. What hardware and software do you need for a LAN and for accessing a WAN, eg the internet?

c. What are the different types of data transmission?

SIMPLEX, HALF-DUPLEX, AND FULL DUPLEX

When data travels across the medium, it travels in a certain direction. To describe the movement of data across communication channels, certain terms are used, including the following:

d. Describe the characteristics of each data transmissions (serial and parallel; and simplex, half-duplex and duplex modes) Communications between devices occur two ways: Manner in which signals are transferred: Serial single wire, one small bit of a byte at a time. Parallel multiple wires, one whole bit e.g computers internal bus where multiple wires are connected. Most computers have at least one parallel port.

3.1.5 Data transmission

Simplex It refers to data moving in a single direction. Half-duplex It means data travels in both ways, but in only one direction at a time. Full duplex It means data travels simultaneously in both directions.

e. Explain the relationship between bit rates and the time sensitivity of the information;

f.

What are the errors that can occur in data transmission?

g. How can you detect and correct these errors? (parity checks, the use of parity in data blocks to become self-correcting, check sums and echoes);

h. What is packet switching and circuit switching?

i.

Explain the difference in use of packet switching and circuit switching;

j.

What is a protocol?

k. Why is protocol important to the transmission of data?

l.

Describe the need for communication between devices and between computers, and explain the need for protocols to establish communication links;

3.1.5 Data transmission

m. Why are there a need for both physical and logical protocols and the need for layering in an interface?

Bandwidth is a measurement of the amount of data that can be passed over a cable in a given amount of time. The bandwidth capacity of a network cable is usually measured in the number of bits or bytes that can be transferred in a second.

Security Issues
The security of cabling should be considered before installing a particular kind of cabling. You will need to be aware of security issues that are inherent to certain types of cabling, such as Wiretapping This involves gaining physical access to a network cable and cutting or piercing the cable so that the wires inside the cable can be accessed and then spliced or tapped. Eavesdropping This involves listening to data being sent over the wire without actually piercing the cable. Fiber-optic cabling is not susceptible to either of these vulnerabilities.