The Internet and Communications Technology

Useful Link http://fcit.usf.edu/network/default.htm

Communication

Communication involves a sender, a receiver, a medium and a communication channel (cable). These are the
four basic elements of a communication act.

Data communication is the transfer of data from point A to point B using a communication link. When data travel
a long distance, the communication is referred to as telecommunication. The prefix ‘tele’ comes from an ancient
Greek word that means a ‘far off’.

Data Communication

This is the transmission of data to and from computers via communication channels. The combination of
computing and telecommunication has given rise to new services and has opened up many new fields of
application. Data and information is transmitted over a communication medium such as a telephone line from
one computer to another.

Telecommunication

This is the transmission of data over far distance without changing it. A telecommunication system is made of a
sender, receiver and a medium.

Internet

This is the worlds’ largest network. It is a world wide collection of networks that links together millions of other
smaller network via different communication media. The internet is not owned by anyone however, the rules and
standards that govern the internet is set by the Network Information Center (impose by the US national Science
Foundation (NSF).

The Structure of the Internet

The basic components of the internet are:

1. host – this is a PC on IBM or mix platforms or mainframe computers

2. networks – when two or more host communicate it is called a network.
3. routers – these are used to connect network.
Services available on the internet

There are four main services that are available on the internet: communication; file access and transfer services;
terminal emulation services; and the world wide web (www).

Communication services

The electronic mail (e-mail) is the most popular and widely used service in the internet. It enables users to send
and receive electronic messages. A typical e-mail address begins with a user’s name, followed by the @ symbol
and the providers name.

Intranet

This is a type of network that belongs to an organization and is accessible only by members of that organization.
It has similar features to an internet, the main difference is in who can access the data store on it.

Terminal Emulation Services

These services enable one to connect your computer to a remote host and uses the services available as if your
computer where a terminal of the remote host. For example, you can use a telnet to access data and programs
from a telnet server.

Modems

Telephone system and computer systems have become fused together with the convergence of the
telecommunications and computing technologies. Data or information may now appear in a variety of formats –
text, voice or sound, pictures, graphics and video. However, data is transmitted by two types of signals;
analogue (voice) and digital (computer). A modem is used to convert between the two different signals. The
process of converting digital to analogue is known as modulation while the reverse is known as demodulation.

NETWORKS

A network is group of computers and associated devices connected by communications facilities (both
hardware and software) to share information and peripheral devices, such as printers and modems.
 There are a variety of networks available to facilitate the need of different organizations. However, there
are some factors that need to be considered when selecting a network. These factors are cost, security,
management, expandability and interconnectivity.

Assignment: research on the advantages and the disadvantages of networks.

Types of Networks
Internet

A worldwide network of computer networks. It is an interconnection of large and small networks around the
globe. The Internet began in 1962 as a computer network for the U.S. military and over time has grown into a
global communication tool of many thousands of computer networks that share a common addressing scheme.
Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized by design. Each Internet
computer, called a host, is independent. Its operators can choose which Internet services to use and which local
services to make available to the global Internet community. Remarkably, this anarchy by design works
exceedingly well. There are a variety of ways to access the Internet. Most users gain access through an Internet
Service Provider (ISP).

Extranet

An Extranet is a private network that uses the Internet protocols and the public telecommunication system to
share part of business information with suppliers, vendors, customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be
viewed as part of a company's Intranet that is extended to users outside the company.

Intranet

A private network inside a company or organization, which uses software like that used on the Internet,
but is for internal use only, and is not accessible to the public. Companies use Intranets to manage projects,
provide employee information, distribute data and information, etc.

A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software that you would
find on the public Internet, but that is for internal use only. Firewalls keep unauthorized Internet traffic off an
intranet. As the Internet has become more popular, many of the tools used on the Internet are being used in
private networks. For example, many companies have web servers that are available only to employees. Note
that an intranet may not actually be an internet; it may simply be a network.

LAN – Local Area Network

A non-public data communications network confined to a limited geographic area (usually within a few miles),
used to provide communication between computers and peripherals. The area served may consist of a single
building, a cluster of buildings, or a campus-type arrangement.
A geographically limited data communications system for a specific user group consisting of a group of
interconnected computers, sharing applications, data and peripheral devices such as printers and CD-ROM
drives intended for the local transport of data, video, and voice.

Local area networks are made up of several components.

 Workstations, or Personal Computers with network interface cards

 Cabling or connection system, which may be wired (wire or cable) ore wireless.
 Network operating system, the software to manage the activities of the network. Examples of network
operating systems are Novell’s Netware, SCO, UNIX, and IBM PC LAN. Windows 95 and Windows NT
are examples of peer-to-peer networking software.
 Other shared devices, for example printers, scanners and storage devices.
 Bridges, routers, and gateways: to connect a LAN to other networks.

Assignment: Define Bridges, Routers and Gateways and state their function in a network.

Categories of LANs

 Peer- to – peer network –

 Client/server network

 Enterprise network – consist mainly of many traditional file servers, interconnected to provide a total
network solution for a large company. This type of network involves connecting across widely dispersed
geographical locations.

Assignment: research on peer-to-peer network and client/server. Define them and state at least 3
advantages and 3 disadvantages of each.

MAN - Metropolitan Area Network

A group of LANs with high-speed, seamless interconnection within a 'metropolitan' area. The latter is not
necessarily a city; it normally means any area which is spread out but in some sense a single entity: for instance,
two company buildings on opposite sides of the road or on a large site.

WAN – Wide Area Network

A network which covers a larger geographical area than a LAN or a MAN and where telecommunications links
are implemented, normally leased from the appropriate Private Telephone Operator(s).
VAN – Value Added Network

A secure electronic repository for electronic commerce. A VAN provides you with an Interchange ID that
is unique and that ID is assigned to a mailbox. When you dial into your VAN, you send transactions to your
mailbox and the VAN in turn routes those transactions to the appropriate Trading Partner. The VAN also
receives transactions that are to be routed to you, they are sent to your mailbox and your EDI Translator
downloads them when you call in to receive mail. VAN's also provide information about any transactions that
may not have been sent or received properly, and reset your document if there was an error in downloading.

A company that acts as a pipe or an electronic mailbox for the transmission of data and provides
communications services such as line speed conversion and protocol matching.

VPN – Virtual Private Network

Private network built atop a public network. Hosts within the private network use encryption to talk to
other hosts; the encryption excludes hosts from outside the private network even if they are on the public
network.

A private network within a public network, usually on the Internet. Privacy for the virtual network is
achieved through encryption and provides a less expensive option than using dedicated lines.

A private network that is configured within a public network. VPNs enjoy the security of a private network
via access control and encryption, while taking advantage of the economies of scale and built-in management
facilities of large public networks.

A virtual private network is what it says-a private network of computers that's partially connected over
public phone lines. Encryption and secure protocols permit VPN users to transmit data secure in the knowledge
that the data will be difficult, if not impossible, to intercept by unauthorized third parties. This technology allows
VPN users to communicate with the assurance of total privacy and safety of data and information while cutting
the cost of traditional leased telephones lines by 90-95%.

Campus-area networks (CANs):

The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a campus or military base.

Home-area networks (HANs):

A network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices.

Assignment: research on the advantages and the disadvantages of each type of networks

Network Topologies
The configuration or design of a network is called a topology (Layout). There are three designs star, bus and ring
topology.

Examples

The above diagrams are examples of the layout of each network topology.

Star Topologies

All the nodes are connected to a central hub. This means that each computer has its own connection to the
network and that a break in a cable will not affect the working of other computers. If the hub breaks down, then
all the computers on the hub will not work. However, star networks although more expensive to install than other
types, are the quickest.

Bus network

This is the simplest type of topology, where the network nodes (computers) are in a line. Bus network are cheap
and reliable, but if the cable breaks the network split in two unconnected parts. Bus network are slower than star
networks, with the speed of the network limited to 10 Mb per second.

Ring network
This type of network has no end to the line. The last node (computer) is connected to the first node, forming a
ring loop. If the cable breaks it will affect all the computers on the network. Ring networks are slower than star.

Communication Channel
This is the path through which information passes between two devices. It can also be defined as the method or
medium used for transmitting data. Characteristics of communication channel include transmission mode,
direction of data flow, communication channel (media) and transmission speed.

Transmission Mode (rates)

This determines the number of characters that can be transmitted in one second. Types of transmission modes
include:

 Asynchronous

 Synchronous

Research on Asynchronous, Synchronous

Direction of data flow

These include simplex, half duplex and full duplex.

Research on simplex, half duplex and full duplex.

Transmission speed (rate)

This is the amount of information that a channel can comfortably ‘handle’ at any one time. It is usually measured
in bps (bits per second) and is referred to as baud rate.

Bandwidth

This is the width of the communication channel. The higher the bandwidth the more data and information the
channel can transmit. Different types of bandwidth include: base band, narrow band, broadband and voice
band.

Research on base band, narrow band, broadband and voice band.

 Transmission Media
In communication there are two main types of transmission media. These are wireless and physical transmission
media.

Physical transmission media

Use wire, cables and other tangible materials to send communication signals. These include twisted cable,
coaxial cable and fiber optic.

Twisted pair cable – these cables consists of one or more twisted-pair wires bundled together. Each twisted
pair wires consist of two separate insulated copper wires that are twisted together. The wires are twisted
together to reduce noise. Noise is an electrical disturbance that can degrade communication. Often used for
telephone system.

Research on shielded and unshielded twisted pair cables

Coaxial cables – often refer to as coax; consist of a single copper wire surrounded by at least three layers:
(1) an insulating material, (2) a woven or braided metal, and (3) a plastic outer coating. Cable television wiring
often use coaxial cable.

Fiber- optic cable - this consist of dozens or hundreds of strands of glass or plastic that use light to transmit
signal. Each strand is called an optical fiber (this is as thin as the human hair). Inside the fiber optic cable, an
insulating glass cladding and a protective coating surround each optical fiber.

Assignment: find at least 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of the different types of transmission media.
Find pictures of each.

Wireless Transmission Media

Sends communication signals though air or space using radio, microwave and infrared.

Research on broadcast radio, Bluetooth, cellular radio, microwaves, communication satellites and
infrared.
 Uses of Communication Technologies
Communication technologies use is all around you. In the course of the day, for example, you might use, or use
information generated by, one or more of the following communication technologies: voice mail, fax, e-mail, instant
messaging, chat rooms, newsgroups (threaded discussion), telephony, videoconferencing, collaboration,
groupware and global positioning system (GPS).

Assignment: research on the following terms: voice mail, fax, e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms,
newsgroups, telephony, videoconferencing, collaboration, groupware and global positioning system
(GPS).

Network communication Technologies

Today’s networks connect terminals, devices and computers from many different manufacturers across many
types of networks, such as WAN, LAN and wireless. For the different devices on several types of networks to be
able to communicate, the network must use a specific combination of hardware and software. A variety of
communication technologies exist for this purpose. These include Ethernet, token ring, TCP/IP (transaction
control protocol/ internet protocol, wireless application protocol (WAP), intranets and firewalls

Assignment: Ethernet, token ring, TCP/IP (transaction control protocol/ internet protocol, wireless
application protocol (WAP), intranets and firewalls

The telephone network

The public switched telephone network (PSTN) is the worldwide telephone system that handles voice
oriented telephone calls. Nearly the entire telephone network today uses digital technology, with the final link
from the telephone company to the home, which is often analog.

The telephone network plays an essential role in computer communication. data, instruction and
information can be sent over the telephone network using dial-up lines, dedicated lines, Integrated Services
Provider network (ISBN), digital subscriber line (DSL), cable TV lines and T-carrier lines.

Assignment: research on the following terms: dial-up lines, dedicated lines, Integrated Services Provider
network (ISBN), digital subscriber line (DSL), cable TV lines, leased lines and T-carrier lines.
 Communication devices
This is any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instruction and information between a sending device
and a receiving device, via a communication channel. Sometimes the communication device also must convert
the data, instructions, and information from analog to digital or vice versa depending on the services involves.
Some of the more common types off communication devices are dial-up modem, ISBN and DSL modems, cable
modems and NIC (network interface card).

Research on the following terms: modems, dial-up modem, ISBN and DSL modems, cable modems and
NIC (network interface card).

Define the following terms:

1. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

2. file transfer protocol (FTP)
3. telnet
4. Teleconferencing
5. Telecommuting
6. World Wide Web (WWW)
7. Videoconferencing
8. Internet
9. Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
10. Extensible Markup Language (XML)
11. newsgroup
12. Electronic mail
13. Intranet
14. Telemarketing
15. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
16. Website
17. Online Service Provider (OSP)
18. Web Page
19. Search Engine
20. Web Browser
21. Hyperlink
22. Home Page
23. Uniform Resource Locator(URL)
24. download
25. Upload
26. Domain name
27. Internet Protocol (IP) Address
 28. Logon Name
29. Inbox
30. Attachment
31. Internet
32. Modem
33. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
34. bandwidth
35. modulation/demodulation
36. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
37. Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
38. protocols
39. hotspots

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Set of special code called tags that format a file for use as a web page.

File transfer protocol (FTP)

File access and transfer services

These services enable you to locate and electronic files stored on computers across the internet. File Transfer
Protocol (FTP) is a set of rules for communicating over the internet. It enables users to upload and download
data.

Telnet

Teleconferencing
 Telecommuting
Work arrangement in which employees work away from a company’s standard workplace, and often
communicate with office using communication technology.

World Wide Web (WWW)

This is a collection of all linked documents, or pages on millions of computers and spread over the entire
internet. Many people believe that the internet and the web is the same, but this is not so. The web is a large
subset (section) of the internet.

Videoconferencing
Meeting between two or more geographically separated people who use a network or the internet to transmit
audio and video data.

Internet
This is the worlds’ largest network. It is a world wide collection of networks that links together millions of other
smaller network via different communication media. The internet is not owned by anyone however, the rules and
standards that govern the internet is set by the Network Information Center (impose by the US national Science
Foundation (NSF).

The Structure of the Internet

The basic components of the internet are:

1. host – this is a PC on IBM or mix platforms or mainframe computers

2. networks – when two or more host communicate it is called a network.
3. routers – these are used to connect network.

Services available on the internet

There are four main services that are available on the internet: communication; file access and transfer services;
terminal emulation services; and the world wide web (www).

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

Extensible Markup Language (XML)

Web development language that enables the web page developers to create and run web page application,
enabling web application created with any programming language or any operating system to communicate and
share data seamlessly.

Newsgroup
Online area on the web where users conduct written discussion about a particular subject. It is also called a
discussion.

Electronic mail
The electronic mail (e-mail) is the most popular and widely used service in the internet. It enables users to send
and receive electronic messages. A typical e-mail address begins with a user’s name, followed by the @ symbol
and the providers name.

Intranet
This is a type of network that belongs to an organization and is accessible only by members of that organization.
It has similar features to an internet, the main difference is in who can access the data store on it.

Telemarketing
 Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Website
A website is a collection of screen display, which are related, and they are stored on the Internet. Websites are
created to share data and information with other users.

Online Service Provider (OSP)

Business that provides access to the internet as well as members-only features that offer a variety of special
content and services.

Web Page
Electronic document on the web.

Search Engine
Software program used to find web sites, web pages, and internet files.

Web Browser
Program used to access and view web pages on the internet. It is also called a browser.

Hyperlink
Built-in connection to another related web page or part of a web page. It is called link.

Home Page
Starting page for a browser, similar to a book cover or table of contents for a web site; provide information
about the site’s purpose and content.

Uniform Resource Locator

Unique address for a web page; consists of a protocol, domain, and sometimes the path to a specific web
page or location on a web page.

Download
It is also defined as taking data from a computer and placing in on secondary storage.

Upload
Process of copying a file to a web server. It is also defined as taking data from a secondary storage and
placing in on the computer.

Domain name
Text version of an IP address.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

A number that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to the internet, consisting of four
groups of numbers, each separated by a period.

Logon Name

Inbox
 Attachment

Internet
A worldwide network of computer networks. It is an interconnection of large and small networks around the
globe. The Internet began in 1962 as a computer network for the U.S. military and over time has grown into a
global communication tool of many thousands of computer networks that share a common addressing scheme.
Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized by design. Each Internet
computer, called a host, is independent. Its operators can choose which Internet services to use and which local
services to make available to the global Internet community. Remarkably, this anarchy by design works
exceedingly well. There are a variety of ways to access the Internet. Most users gain access through an Internet
Service Provider (ISP).

Modem

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Private network built atop a public network. Hosts within the private network use encryption to talk to
other hosts; the encryption excludes hosts from outside the private network even if they are on the public
network.

A private network within a public network, usually on the Internet. Privacy for the virtual network is
achieved through encryption and provides a less expensive option than using dedicated lines.

A private network that is configured within a public network. VPNs enjoy the security of a private network
via access control and encryption, while taking advantage of the economies of scale and built-in management
facilities of large public networks.

A virtual private network is what it says-a private network of computers that's partially connected over
public phone lines. Encryption and secure protocols permit VPN users to transmit data secure in the knowledge
that the data will be difficult, if not impossible, to intercept by unauthorized third parties. This technology allows
VPN users to communicate with the assurance of total privacy and safety of data and information while cutting
the cost of traditional leased telephones lines by 90-95%.

Telecommunication related challenges

 monopoly versus open market

  infrastructure

 terrain and location of branches

 cost and availability of telecommunication services

 speed of transmission within each territory

 policies-government

Remote information

To access remote information a software tool, for example, a browser or email system.

Emerging technology