Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

CHAPTER 1
FUNDAMENTALS OF DATA COMMUNICATION & COMPUTER NETWORK

Syllabus Topics:
1.1 Process of Data Communication & its Components: Transmitter, Receiver, Medium, Message,
Protocol
1.2 Protocols, Standards, Standard Organizations: Bandwidth, Data Transmission Rate, Baud Rate and
Bits per Second.
1.3 Modes of Communication: (Simplex, Half Duplex, Full Duplex)
1.4Analog & Digital Signal, Analog & Digital Transmission: Analog to Digital, Digital to Analog
Conversion
1.5 Fundamental of Computer Network: Definition & Need of Computer Network, Applications,
Network Benefits
1.6 Classification of Network: LAN, WAN, MAN
1.7 Network Architecture: Peer to Peer, Client Server Network

1.1 Process of Data Communication & its Components

⎯ Data communications (DC) is the process of using computing and communication technologies to
transfer data from one place to another place.
⎯ It enables the movement of electronic or digital data between two or more nodes, regardless of
geographical location, technological medium or data contents.
⎯ Data communications refers to the transmission of this digital data between two or more computers.
⎯ A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network that allows computers to
exchange data.
⎯ Data communications are the exchange of data between two devices using one or multiple forms of
transmission medium.
⎯ The devices are in need to be a part of a communication system made up of hardware and software.
⎯ Components for Process of Data Communication are as follows:
1. Transmitter 2. Receiver 3.Medium 4.Message 5. Protocol

MSBTE QUE. Draw and explain block diagram of communication system.(Winter-2019)

1.1.1 Transmitter
⎯ A transmitter is an electronic device used in telecommunications to produce radio waves in order to
transmit or send data with the aid of an antenna.
⎯ The transmitteris able to generate a radio frequency alternating current that is then applied to the
antenna, which, in turn, radiates this as radio waves.
⎯ The device that sends the data to the destination or target is the Sender.
⎯ It can be a computer, cell phone, video camera and so on.

1.1.2 Receiver
⎯ The device that receives the data that was sent by the Sender is the Receiver.
⎯ It is the device that receives and decodes signals and then conditions or transforms them into something
that another machine or computer understands.
⎯ It is also known as a sink, a receiver is a target device, or destination device, that receives an
information transfer originated by a transmitter.

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⎯ A receiver can again be a computer, cell phone, video camera, facsimile machines, telephones and so
on.

1.1.3 Medium
⎯ Transmission medium is the means through which we send our data from one place to another.
⎯ Communication medium refers to the physical channel through which data is sent and received.
⎯ The speed of data transmission or data rate depends upon the type of medium being used in
the network.
⎯ There are basically two types of networks: 1. Wired network. 2. Wireless network
⎯ Transmission medium could be like twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, Air, Water,
Vacuum etc.

1.1.4 Message
⎯ The message is the information or data that is get transferred or communicated.
⎯ It may consist of text, number, pictures, sound, video or any a combination of these.

1.1.5 Protocol (Winter-2015, Winter-2014,Winter-2016, Summer-2017, Winter-2018)

⎯ A protocol is nothing but a set of rules that applies on the full data communication procedure.
⎯ This is like an agreement between the two devices to successfully communicate with each other.
⎯ For example, how the data will be sent, how the data will be traveling, how to ensure that full data has
received, how to handle errors in transmission etc.
⎯ Both devices follow the same set of rules or protocol so that they understand each other.
⎯ Ex. UDP, TCP/IP, SMTP, HTTP, SSL, FTP etc.

Need of protocol
⎯ The computers can be physically connected through networking transmission medium and connectivity
devices.
⎯ The communication between two devices or computer can take place only if the two ends agree upon
common set of rules and conventions.
⎯ Hence protocol is essential for communication between two computers or devices.

MSBTE QUE. Define ‘Packet’ in concern with computer communication.

(Summer-2015, Summer-2017, Winter-2018)

⎯ A packet is the unit of data that is routed between an origin and a destination on the Internet or any
other packet-switched network.
⎯ It is the complete unit transmitted by sending computer over the network medium.
⎯
MSBTE QUE. What is transceiver? State the advantages and disadvantages of it.
(Summer-2017)

⎯ These are devices that perform both the tasks of transmit and receive.
⎯ Transceivers are used to connect nodes to the various Ethernet media.
⎯ Most computers and network interface cards contain a built-in 10BaseT or 10Base2 transceiver,
allowing them to be connected directly to Ethernet without requiring an external transceiver.
⎯ Many Ethernet devices provide an AUI connector to allow the user to connect to any media type via an
external transceiver.
⎯ The transceiver is responsible for transmitting, receiving, and detecting collisions. The transceiver is
connected to the station via a transceiver cable that provides separate paths for sending and receiving.

Advantages:
1.Provides separate paths for sending and receiving.

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2. The same device can provide path for send and receive signals.
3. No collision of data in the card (but can happen only in media).

Disadvantages:
1. Increases the cost of the network.
2. The cable length to connect computers from transceiver is less (50m) compared to other guided
media (100m -500m).

MSBTE QUE. List different characteristics of data communication system. (Winter-2019)

1. Delivery 2. Accuracy 3.Timeliness 4.Jitter etc.

1.2 Protocols, Standards, Standard Organizations

MSBTE QUE. Define bit rate and baud rate. (Winter-2019)

⎯ A protocol is a particular set of rules for having a conversation between two computers to convey a
specific set of information.
⎯ A standard is a document that specifies something that has the overwhelming support and agreement of
the standards making body.
⎯ Some standard organizations with their web address are-

Organization Web Address

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) www.ansi.org
Electronics Industries Association (EIA) www.eia.org
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) www.ieee.org
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) www.iso.org

1.2.1 Bandwidth
⎯ In computer network and computer science, digital bandwidth or just bandwidth means the amount of
data that can be sent from one point to another in a certain period of time.
⎯ It is measured as a bit rate expressed in bits per second (bits/s) or multiples of it (kbit/s Mbit/s etc.)
⎯ Bandwidth is also the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time.
⎯ For digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second(bps) or bytes per second.
⎯ For analog devices, the bandwidth is expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
⎯ For example, a gigabit Ethernet connection has a bandwidth of 1,000 Mbps.

1.2.2 Data Transmission Rate

⎯ The speed with which data can be transmitted from one device to another.
⎯ Data rates are often measured in megabits (million bits) or megabytes (million bytes) per second.
⎯ These are usually abbreviated as Mbps and MBps, respectively.

1.2.3 Baud Rate Winter-2019

⎯ The term was originally used to measure the rate of electronic pulses, it has also become a way to
measure data transmission speeds of dial-up modems
⎯ Baud rate or symbol rate is the number of symbols that can be sent on the telecommunication link per
second.
⎯ It is also known as the signaling speed or the number of signal value changes per second.
⎯ Bit rate or data rate is the number of bits that can be transmitted on the link per second.

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⎯ Baud, or baud rate, is used to describe the maximum oscillation rate of an electronic signal.

1.2.4 Bits per Second

⎯ In data communications, bits per second (abbreviated bps or bit/sec) is a common measure of data
speed for computer modems and transmission carriers.
⎯ One kilobit per second (abbreviated Kbps in the U.S.; kbps elsewhere) is equal to 1,000 bps.
⎯ One megabit per second (Mbps) is equal to 1,000,000 bps or 1,000 Kbps.
⎯ In digital telecommunication, the bit rate is the number of bits that pass a given point in a
telecommunication network in a given amount of time, usually a second.

1.3 Modes of Communication

MSBTE QUE. Describe the process of data communication in various modes (Summer-2019)
MSBTE QUE. Explain simplex, half duplex and full duplex modes in data communication.
(Winter-2019)

1.3.1 Simplex:
⎯ In simplex mode, among the two devices which are communicating with each other, one device can
only be a sender and the other can only be a receiver.
⎯ Thus the sender device will not receive data but will transmit data, and the receiver device will only
receive data but will not transmit or send any data
⎯ This transmission is unidirectional.
⎯ Examples: Keyboards and monitors or displays, traditional FM radios etc.

Advantage: The sender can use the full capacity of the medium to transmit data, so more data is
transmitted at a time.

Disadvantage: One way connection, so no inter-communication between devices.

1.3.2 Half-Duplex:
⎯ In half-duplex, both devices which are communicating with each other can send and receive data, but
not at the same time, that is, when one device is sending data then another device can only receive that
data but can’t send data back.
⎯ This is like a narrow bridge where vehicles from both end of the bridge can cross the bridge but not at
the same time.
⎯ Examples:Walkie-talkie, CB radios etc.

Advantage: In half-duplex, both devices can send and receive data and also entire capacity of the
transmission medium is used when transmitting data.

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Disadvantage: As when one device is sending data then another one must wait, this can cause delay in
sending the data at the right time.

1.3.3 Full-Duplex:
⎯ In full-duplex or duplex mode, both devices can send and receive data at the same time.
⎯ Here in this transmission mode, data going in a direction will share the capacity of the transmission
medium with the data going in another direction.
⎯ This sharing can be obtained by two ways, such as, by sharing the capacity of the medium, or having
two physically separated transmission paths.
⎯ Examples: Telephone, cellphone networks etc.

Advantage: Both parties can talk and listen to each other at the same time.

Disadvantage: If there is no dedicated path in the network then the capacity will be divided into two.

1.4 Analog & Digital Signal, Analog & Digital Transmission

1.4.1 Analog to Digital conversion
⎯ Analog-to-digital conversion is an electronic process in which a continuously variable (analog) signal is
changed, without altering its essential content, into a multi-level (digital) signal.
⎯ The input to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)consists of a voltage that varies among a theoretically
infinite number of values.
⎯ Examples are sine waves, the waveforms representing human speech, and the signals from a
conventional television camera.
⎯ The output of the ADC, in contrast, has defined levels or states.
⎯ The number of states is almost always a power of two -- that is, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.
⎯ The simplest digital signals have only two states, and are called binary.
⎯ All whole numbers can be represented in binary form as strings of ones and zeros.

1.4.2 Digital to Analog Conversion

⎯ When data from one computeris sent to another via some analog carrier, it is first converted
into analog signals.
⎯ Analog signals are modified to reflect digital data.
⎯ In this conversion technique, the amplitude of analog carrier signal is modified to reflect binary data.
⎯ A Digital to Analog Converter, or DAC, is an electronic device that converts adigital code to
an analog signal such as a voltage, current, or electric charge.
⎯ Signals can easily be stored and transmitted in digital form; a DAC is used for the signal to be
recognized by human senses or non-digital systems.

1.5 Fundamental of Computer Network

⎯ A network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together.
⎯ A computer network is a collection of two or more connected computers.
⎯ The computers and devices which are part of the network can "talk" to each other and exchange
information.

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⎯ In addition to the computers and devices which are connected, other devices are often needed for the
network to operate properly.
⎯ A network is any collection of independent computers that communicate with one another over a shared
network medium.

MSBTE QUE. Compare human network and computer network.(Summer-2015, Summer-2018)

Human Network Computer Network

1. Human Network is a network of human beings. 1.Computer network is a interconnections of two
or more computers
2.It consist of individuals ,organizations, schools, 2.It consist of computers & connecting devices
hospitals, work places etc like as Hub or printer etc
3.Example: Family network, Peer Network, Restaurant 3.Example : Internet
Network, Contact Network

1.5.1 Definition of Computer Network

MSBTE QUE. Define Computer Network. (Summer-2016, Winter-2017, Summer-2019)

A group of two or ore computing devices connected via a form of communications technology. OR
A computer network is a group of computer systems and other computing hardware devices that are linked
together through communication channels to facilitate communication and resource sharing among a wide
range of users.
For example-
A business might use a computer network connected via cables or the Internet in order to gain access to
a common server or to share programs, files and other information

1.5.2 Need of Computer Network

MSBTE QUE. State the need of computer network (Winter-2016, Summer-2018)

⎯ File/Folder Sharing
⎯ Hardware Sharing (Resource sharing)
⎯ Application sharing
⎯ User Communication (Email, Remote Access)
⎯ Facilitate communication via email, video conferencing, instant messaging, etc.
⎯ Enable multiple users to share a single hardware device like a printer or scanner
⎯ Enable file sharing across the network
⎯ Allow for the sharing of software or operating programs on remote systems
⎯ Make information easier to access and maintain among network users

1.5.3 Applications of Computer Network

MSBTE QUE. Enlist eight applications of computer network (Winter-2014)

MSBTE QUE. List two applications of Computer Network. (Summer-2016)
MSBTE QUE.State various Computer Network applications (Summer-2019)

1. Information retrieval systems:search for books, technical reports, papers and articles on particular
topics
2. News access machines: search past news, stories or abstracts with given search criteria.
3. Reservation system: Airline reservation, hotel booking, railway-reservation, car-rental, etc.
4. A writer's aid: a dictionary, thesaurus, phrase generator, indexed dictionary of quotations, and
encyclopedia.

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5. Stock market information systems:searches for stocks that meet certain criteria, performance
comparisons, moving averages, and various forecasting techniques.
6. Electronic Financial Transactions (EFT): between banks and via cheque clearing house.
7. Games: of the types that grow or change with various enthusiasts adding to the complexity or diversity.
8. Electronic Mail: Messages Systems (EMMS).
9. Corporate information systems: such as marketing information system, customer information system,
product information system, personnel information system, etc.
10. Corporate systems of different systems: such as Order-Entry System, Centralized Purchasing,
Distributed Inventory Control, etc.
11. On-line systems: for Investment Advice and Management, Tax Minimization, etc.
12. Resources of interest: to a home user.
13. Sports results
14. Theatre, movies, and community events information.
15. Shopping information, prices, and advertisements.
16. Restaurants; good food guide.
17. Household magazine, recipes, book reviews, film reviews.
18. Holidays, hotels, travel booking.
19. Radio and TV programmes.
20. Medical assistance service, Insurance information.

1.5.4 Network Benefits

MSBTE QUE. Discuss any four network features. (Winter-2014, Summer-2018)

MSBTE QUE. State four benefits of computer networks. (Summer-2016, Winter-2018)
MSBTE QUE. What is meant by file sharing and printer sharing? How this can be achieved?
(Winter-2015, Winter-2017)
MSBTE QUE.Give advantages of computer network. (Winter-2017)

1) File sharing:
⎯ File sharing is the primary feature of network.
⎯ Due to use of networks, the sharing of files becomes easier. File sharing requires a shared directory or
disk drive to which many users can access over the network.
⎯ When many users are accessing the same file on the network, more than one person can make changes
to a file at the same time.
⎯ They might both making conflicting changes simultaneously.

2) Printer sharing:
⎯ Printer sharing is beneficial to many users as they can share costly & higher quality printers.
⎯ Printer sharing can be done in several different ways on network.
⎯ The most common way is to use printer queues on server.
⎯ The printer queue holds print job until any currently running print jobs are finished & then
automatically send the waiting jobs to the printer i.e. printer connected to server.
⎯ Another way to share printer on a network is that each workstations accesses the printer directly.
3) Application services:
⎯ You can also share application on a network. For example you can have a shared copy of Microsoft
office or some other application & keep it on the network server.
⎯ Another application services you can have on the network is shared installation i.e. contents of CD-
ROM copy to the server, then run the installation the installing application mush faster & more
convenient.

4) E- mail services :

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⎯ E-mail is extremely valuable & important feature for communication within organization or outside the
people in world. E-mail service can be used by user in two different ways : 1. File based 2.Client
⎯ File based e-mail system requires gateway server for connecting or handling the e-mail interface
between the two systems using gateway software that is part of the file-based e-mail system.
⎯ A client-server e-mail system is one where an e-mail server containing the messages & handles all
incoming & outgoing mail. It is more secure & powerful than file based e-mail system.

5) Remote access:
⎯ Using this feature user can access their file & e-mail, when they are travelling or working on remote
location.
⎯ It enables users to access to centralized application, stored private or shared files on LAN.

6) Internet & Intranet:

⎯ Internet: It is public network.
⎯ This consists of thousands of individual networks & millions of computers located around the world.
⎯ Internets have many different types of services available such as e-mail, the web & Usenet newsgroups.
⎯ Intranet: It is private network or it is company‟s own network.
⎯ Company use this feature for internal use.
⎯ For example: company establish its own web server, for placing documents such as employee
handbooks, purchases form or other information that company publishes for internal use. It also has
internet services such as FTP servers or Usenet servers.

7) Network security:
⎯ Internal & External

MSBTE QUE. Give advantages and disadvantages of computer network.

(Summer-2015, Summer-2017)

Advantages:(Winter-2015)
1. File sharing:
The major advantage of computer network is that it allows file sharing and remote file access. A person
sitting at one workstation that is connected to a network can easily see files present on another workstation,
provided he/she is authorized to do so.
2. Resource Sharing:
A computer network provides a cheaper alternative by the provision of resource sharing. All the computers
can be interconnected using a network and just one modem & printer can efficiently provide the services to
all users.
3. Inexpensive set-up:
Shared resources means reduction in hardware costs. Shared files means reduction in memory requirement,
which indirectly means reduction in file storage expenses.
4. Flexible Handling:
A user can log on to a computer anywhere on the network and access his/her files. This offers flexibility to
the user as to where he/she should be during the course of his/her routine.

Disadvantages:
1. Security concerns:
One of the major drawback of computer network is the security issues that are involved.
2. Virus and malware:
Viruses can spread on a network easily because of the inter-connectivity of workstations.
3. Lack of robustness:
If the main file server of a computer network breaks down , the entire system becomes useless.
4. Needs an efficient handler:

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The technical skills and knowledge required to operate and administer a computer network.

1.6 Classification of Network

MSBTE QUE. Classify Networks on the basis of their geography and define.
(Summer-2016, Summer-2018)
MSBTE QUE. Describe classification of computer networks.
(Summer-2015, Summer-2017, Winter-2018)
MSBTE QUE. Define Computer Network and state its types. (Summer-2019)
MSBTE QUE. Classify the network based on geographical area and transmission technology
(Summer-2019)

Networks are classified depending on the geography & their components.

Classification of network by their geography:

1. PAN 2. CAN 3. LAN 4.MAN 5.WAN

Classification of network by their components by their component role:

1. Peer-to- Peer Network 2. Client-server network

MSBTE QUE. Explain PAN with suitable diagram. Differentiate between PAN and CAN
(Winter-2014)

PAN:
⎯ A PAN is personal area network is used for communication among computer devices close to one’s
person.
⎯ Wireless networking or Bluetooth technologies are the some examples of PAN.
⎯ The communication network established for the purpose of connecting computer devices of personal
use is known as the PAN.
⎯ A personal area network(PAN) is a network organized around an individual person.
⎯ A PAN can also be used for communication among personal devices themselves (interpersonal
communication).PAN network can be constructed using cables or it can be wireless.
⎯ A personal area network (PAN) is the interconnection of information technology devices within the
range of an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters.
⎯ For example, a person traveling with a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable printer
could interconnect them without having to plug anything in, using some form of wireless technology.
⎯ Typically, this kind of personal area network could also be interconnected without wires to the Internet
or other networks.

Figure personal area network PAN

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CAN:
⎯ CAN is a Campus Area Network is used to connect buildings across campuses of colleges or
Universities.
⎯ A CAN is actually a type of LAN. It is larger than a LAN but smaller than MAN.
⎯ CAN is a network that connects two or more LANs but that is limited to a specific and contiguous
geographical area such as a college campus, industrial complex or military base.

Advantages:
1. CAN is economical.
2. CAN is simple and easy to implement.
3. Helpful for universities & corporate organization to work from any block and receive the same speed of
data together.

1.6.1 LAN

MSBTE QUE. Define LAN. Write any two disadvantages of LAN. (Winter-2014)
⎯ Definition of LAN: LAN is a network which is designed to operate over a small physical area such as
an office, factory or a group of buildings.
⎯ Local Area Networks cover a small physical area, like a home, office, or a small group of buildings,
such as a school or airport.
⎯ A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common
communications line or wireless link to a server.
⎯ Typically, a LANencompasses computers and peripherals connected to a server within a distinct
geographic area such as an office or a commercial establishment.

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Disadvantages:
1. Power - a good LAN is required to be on all the times.
2. Security - each computer and device become another point of entry for undesirables.
3. Investment in Higher Costs due to server systems.
4. Frustration if having a problem setting up.
5. A lot of times a network shares one Internet connection - if all computers running at once, can reduce
speed for each.
6. Area covered is limited.

MSBTE QUE. List any two characteristics of LAN. (Summer-2017, Winter-2018)

1.6.2 MAN
⎯ Metropolitan Area Networks are very large networks that cover an entire city.
⎯ A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that interconnects users
with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local
area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN).
⎯ A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a large computer network that spans a metropolitan area or
campus.
⎯ A MAN typically covers an area up to 10 kms (city).
⎯ The best example of MAN is the cable Television network, available in many cities.
⎯ For an organization, the common use of a MAN is to extend their LAN connectivity between
buildings/offices that are within the same city or urban area (hence the name Metropolitan Area
Network).
⎯ The organization can pass their Ethernet frames to the service provider MAN; the service provider will
carry their frames across the MAN; and then deliver the frames to the destination site.
⎯ From the customer's point of view, the MAN looks like one big (long) Ethernet link between their
offices.
⎯ The different sites could belong to the same IP subnet, and from the customer's viewpoint, no routing is
required between their sites.

Advantages:
1. MAN spans large geographical area than LAN.
2. MAN falls in between the LAN and WAN therefore, increases the efficiency at handling data.

Figure Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

1.6.3 WAN

MSBTE QUE.Draw a neat diagram and describe a wide area network. What are the three phases of
communication in a WAN.(Winter-2016)

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⎯ Wide Area Networks cover a broad area, like communication links that cross metropolitan, regional, or
national boundaries. The Internet is the best example of a WAN.
⎯ A network of bank cash dispensers is a WAN.
⎯ LANs are often connected to WANs, for example a school network could be connected to the Internet.
⎯ WANs can be connected together using the Internet, leased lines or satellite links.
⎯ Wide Area Network is a computer network that covers relatively larger geographical area such as a
state, province or country.
⎯ It provides a solution to companies or organizations operating from distant geographical locations who
want to communicate with each other for sharing and managing central data or for general
communication.
⎯ WAN is made up of two or more Local Area Networks (LANs) or Metropolitan Area Networks
(MANs) that are interconnected with each other, thus users and computers in one location can
communicate with users and computers in other locations.
⎯ In Wide Area Network, Computers are connected through public networks, such as the telephone
systems, fibre-optic cables, and satellite links or leased lines.
⎯ The Internet is the largest WAN in a world. WANs are mostly private and are built for a particular
organization by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) which connects the LAN of the organization to the
internet.
⎯ WANs are frequently built using expensive leased lines where with each end of the leased line a router
is connected to extend the network capability across sites.

Figure Wide Area Network (WAN)

The three phases of communication in WAN
1. Circuit establishment: The establishment phase involves creating the virtual circuit between the source
and destination devices.
2. Data transfer: Data transfer involves transmitting data between the devices over the virtual circuit
3. Circuit termination: Circuit-termination phase involves tearing down the virtual circuit between the
source and destination devices

Advantages:
1. WAN can connect the computer to a wider area geographically.

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2. WAN shares software & resources with connecting workstations

MSBTE QUE. Compare LAN, MAN and WAN. (Summer-2015, Winter-2014)

LAN MAN WAN

1. Area – Network within a 1.Area-Network within over 1.Area – Network spans a
single building or campus of an entire city. Up to 10km large geographical area after a
up to a few kilometres in size. country or continent 100 km
10 … 1 Km campus. …1000km country
….continent
2. LAN network has very high 2.MAN network has lower 2.WAN speed varies based on
speed mainly due to proximity speed compared to LAN. geographical location of the
of computer and network servers. WAN connects
devices. several LANs
3. Bandwidth is low. 3. Bandwidth is moderate. 3 Bandwidth is high.
4. Transmission media – 4.Transmission media- cables, 4 Transmission media – PSTN
coaxial cable. PSTN, optical fiber cables, or Satellite links.
wireless
5. Data rate is high. 5. Data rate is moderate. 5. Data rate is low.

MSBTE QUE. Compare LAN & WAN. (Winter-2016, Winter-2017)

MSBTE QUE. Differentiate LAN and WAN by considering following points: (Winter-2015)
i. Physical area ii. Installation cost iii. Bandwidth iv. Transmission media

MSBTE QUE. State four features of LAN and WAN (Winter-2016)

LAN (Local Area Network):

⎯ Covers : Local areas only (e.g. homes, offices, schools)
⎯ Definition :LAN (Local Area Network) is a computer network covering a small geographic area, like a
home, office, school, or group of buildings.
⎯ Speed : High speed (1000 mbps)
⎯ Data transfer rates :LANs have a high data transfer rate.
⎯ Example :The network in an office building can be a LAN.
⎯ Set-up costs: If there is a need to set-up a couple of extra devices on the network, it is not
⎯ Connection :One LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio
waves.
⎯ Data Transmission Error : Experiences fewer data transmission errors
⎯ Ownership :Typically owned, controlled, and managed by a single person or organization.

WAN ( Wide Area Network):

⎯ Covers: Large geographic areas(e.g. cities, states, nations)

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

⎯ Definition :WAN (Wide Area Network) is a computer network that covers a broad area (e.g., any
network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries over a long
distance).
⎯ Speed : Less speed (150 mbps)
⎯ Data transfer rates :WANs have a lower data transfer rate compared to LANs.
⎯ Example : Internet is a good example of a WAN
⎯ Set-up costs: Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public
networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.
⎯ Connection : Experiences more data transmission errors as compared to LAN
⎯ Data Transmission Error :WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by any one organization but rather
exist under collective or distributed ownership and management over long distances.
⎯ Ownership : For WANs since networks in remote areas have to be connected

1.7 Network Architecture

1.7.1 Peer to Peer
MSBTE QUE. Define Peer (Winter-2015)

⎯ Peers are computer systems which are connected to each other via the Internet.
⎯ Files can be shared directly between systems on the network without the need of a central server.
⎯ In other words, each computer on a Peer to Peer network becomes a file server as well as a client.

MSBTE QUE. Describe the working of peer-to-peer network (Winter-2016)

Figure Peer to Peer Network

⎯ A peer to peer network is the one in which computers on the network communicate with each other as
equals.
⎯ Each computer is responsible for making its own resources available to other computers on the
network. These resources may be files, directories or folders, devices or applications.
⎯ Each computer is responsible for accessing the network resources it needs from other peer to peer
computers.
⎯ In this each machine has same power.
⎯ Uses less expensive computer hardware.
⎯ Easy to setup & administrator.
⎯ Less secure as all peers are able to access the resources.
⎯ Network Operating System is not required
⎯ It support small Network.

1.7.2 Client Server Network

MSBTE QUE. Describe the working of server based networks. Where is it used? (Winter-2016)
MSBTE QUE. With neat diagram, explain client server network along with its advantages and
disadvantages. (Summer-2017,Winter-2017, Summer-2018, Winter-2018)
MSBTE QUE. State merits and demerits of client server network (Summer-2017)

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

⎯ The servers stores all the network's shared files and applications programs, such as word processor
documents, compilers, database applications, spreadsheets, and the networkoperating system.
⎯ Client will send request to access information from the server based on the requestserver will send the
required information to the client.

Client :
⎯ A computer which is seeking any resource from another computer is a Client Computer.
⎯ You can think a client as a computer in your network, where a network user isperforming some
network activity.
⎯ For Example: Downloading a file from a File Server, Browsing Intranet/Internet etc.
⎯ The network user normally uses a client computer to perform his day to day work.

Server:
⎯ If a computer has a resource which is served to another computer, it is a Servercomputer.
⎯ The client establishes a connection to a Server and accesses the servicesinstalled on the Server.
⎯ A Server is not meant for a network user to browse in internet ordo spreadsheet work.
⎯ A Server computer is installed with appropriate Operating System and related Softwareto serve the
network clients with one or more services, continuously without a break.

Features of Servers:
1) They have large storage capacity.
2) They are able to provide information to many computers simultaneouslytherefore has large RAM.
3) Its processor speed is high, as it may have to execute multiple task together.

Advantages of Client Server Network:

1. It has the centralized control.
2. It does not slow down with heavy use.
3. The size of the network can be expanded to any size.
4. Proper Management in which all files are stored at the same place. 5. As all the data is stored on server
it’s easy to make a back-up of it.
6. Reduces Data duplication by storing data stored on the servers instead of eachclient, so it reduces the
amount of data duplication for the application.

Disadvantages of Client Server Network:

1. Server failure leads to whole network failure.
2. It is very expensive to install and manage as dedicated hardware (server) andspecial software is
required.
3. A Professional IT person is required to maintain the servers and other technicaldetails of network.

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

Server based network are used for:

1.Centralization: Servers help in administering the whole set-up. Access rights and resource allocation is
done by Servers.
2.Proper Management: All the files are stored at the same place. Also it becomes easier to find files.
3.Back-up and Recovery possible: As all the data is stored on server it’s easy to make a back-up of it.
4.Up-gradation and Scalability in Client-server set-up: Changes can be made easily by just upgrading
the server. Also new resources and systems can be added by making necessary changes in server.
5.Accessibility: From various platforms in the network, server can be accessed remotely.
6.Security: Rules defining security and access rights can be defined at the time of set-up of server.

MSBTE QUE. Compare Server based network and peer-to-peer network

(Winter-2014, Summer-2017, Winter-2017, Summer-2018)

MSBTE QUE. State any four advantages of server based network over peer to peer network
(Summer-2015)

1. Server based network has Strong central security over peer to peer network.
2. Sever based network has better performance for large number of users than Peer- to –Peer network.
3. Centralized backup can be taken in server based network.
4. Easy manageability for large number of users.
5. Very reliable dedicated Network operating system (NOS) required. 6. In server based network server is
more powerful than client

MSBTE QUE. State any 4 advantages of peer to peer network over client/server network.
(Winter-2018)

Following are the advantages of peer to peer network over client/server network:
• Easy to setup and lower cost for small network.
• No extra investment in server hardware or software is required.
• The efforts of administrating the network are widely distributed among users.
• Peer to peer network do not require a network operating system.
• Users can control resource sharing.

MSBTE QUE. Define Server. Give the name of any two types of Server (Winter-2014)
MSBTE QUE. Name any two types of server. Describe them. (Summer-2015, Winter-2016)

1. Application Servers:
The application server often serves to connect database servers with the end-user, thus acting as a kind of
"middleware" that releases stored information requested by said user. The server is usually responsible for
properly decoding and recoding data and providing security over connections.

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

2. Message Servers:
These servers provide instant, real-time communication between users, regardless of where a user may be.
Message servers allow a wide variety of communication methods, from simple forms such as text to more
complex forms such as video, audio and graphics.

3. Database Servers:
These servers manage the database that is stored in that server using the SQL database management
system. A client request is sent in the form of an SQL query to the server. That server in turn searches
through the database for the requested information and sends the results to the client.

4. Web Servers:
Web servers provide access to the Internet through the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Files in a
web server use Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)to display content on web browsers. A web server
usually receives requests from a web browser and sends back the requested HTML file and related graphic
files.

MSBTE QUE. Name any four resources that can be shared in a computer network (Winter-2016)
MSBTE QUE. Explain which resources can be shared in computer networks. (Summer-2017)
MSBTE QUE.State various network features. Explain any one in detail. (Winter-2017)

1. File sharing:
It is the practice of distributing or providing access to digital media, such as computer programs,
multimedia (audio, images and video), documents or electronic books. File sharing typically involves
word-processing files, spreadsheets, and other files to which many people need regular access. It requires a
shared directory or disk drive that many users can access over the network, along with the underlying
programming logic needed to make sure that more than one person doesn’t make changes to a file at the
same time (called file locking). The reason you don’t want multiple people making changes to a file at the
same time is that they might both be making conflicting changes simultaneously without realizing it.

2. Printer sharing:
Printer sharing is beneficial to many users as they can share costly & higher quality printers. Printer sharing
can be done in several different ways on network. The most common way is to use printer queues on
server. The printer queue holds print job until any currently running print jobs are finished & then
automatically send the waiting jobs to the printer i.e. printer connected to server. Another way to share
printer on a network is that each workstations accesses the printer directly.

3. Application services:
Share application on a network. When applications are centralized, amount of memory required on disk of
work station is reduced. It is easier to administer an application. It is more secure and reliable. It is faster
and convenient.

4. E-mail services.
Two types of email systems are available:

a) File based system: Files are stored in shared location on server. Server provides access to file. Gate way
server connects from file based email system to internet.
b) Client server e-mail system: E-mail server contains message and handles e-mail interconnections. E-
mail client functions (also consider other e-mail functions): read mail, send, compose, forward, delete. E-
mail protocols: SMTP, POP etc.

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

5. Remote access:
Set up remote access service on network operating system. Setup VPN (virtual private network) on internet
terminal services (TELNET).User can access files from remote location. User can access centralized
application or share files on LAN.

6. Disk sharing:
Disk connected in a network can be shared in many users / computers also called as mountain disk or
shared volume.

7. Scanner sharing:
Scanner connected in a network can be shared in many users/computers.

8. Internet & Intranet: Internet:

It is public network. This consists of thousands of individual networks & millions of computers located
around the world. Internets have many different types of services available such as e-mail, the web &
Usenet newsgroups. Intranet: It is private network or it is company’s own network. Company use this
feature for internal use. For example: company establish its own web server, for placing documents such as
employee handbooks, purchases form or other information that company publishes for internal use. It also
has internet services such as FTP servers or Usenet servers.

MSBTE QUE. In a small agency, there are five PCs in the network. Cost is an issue and the
company would prefer not to dedicate an individual’s time to maintain a network. However the
agency is also concerned about keeping its data safe and the users are not sophisticated computer
users. In what ways is a peer to peer network appropriate for the company? In what ways it is
inappropriate? (Winter-2015)

A peer to peer to peer network appropriate due to following reasons:

i) P2P is more reliable as central dependency is eliminated. Failure of one peer doesn’t affect the
functioning of other peers.
ii) There is no need for full-time System Administrator. Every user is the administrator of his machine.
User can control their shared resources.
iii) The over-all cost of building and maintaining this type of network is comparatively very less.
iv) It does not run efficient if you have many computers, it is best to used two to eight computers.. A peer
to peer to peer network appropriate due to following reasons:
i) Security in this system is very less viruses, spywares, Trojans,etc malwares can easily transmitted over
this P-2-P architecture.
ii) In this network, the whole system is decentralized thus it is difficult to administer. That is one person
cannot determine the whole accessibility setting of whole network.

MSBTE QUE. Describe any four situations in which server based networks are more superior to
peer to peer network. (Summer-2018)

1. Centralization: Servers help in administering the whole set-up. Access rights and resource allocation is
done by Servers.
2. Proper Management: All the files are stored at the same place. Also it becomes easier to find files.
3. Back-up and Recovery possible: As all the data is stored on server it’s easy to make a back-up of it.
4. Up-gradation and Scalability in Client-server set-up: Changes can be made easily by just upgrading
the server. Also new resources and systems can be added by making necessary changes in server.
5. Accessibility: From various platforms in the network, server can be accessed remotely.
6. Security: Rules defining security and access rights can be defined at the time of set-up of server.

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

MSBTE QUE. For following situations, state which type of network architecture is appropriate?
(Winter-2015)
(i) Number of users 50 (ii) Data and resources need to be restricted.
(iii) No network administrator required. (iv) All users with equal priority

i) Number of users 50 Client-Server Network

ii) Data and resources need to be restricted Client-Server Network
iii) No network administrator required Peer to peer Network
iv) All users with equal priority Peer to peer Network

MSBTE QUE. Explain computer network facilities in terms of centralized network

management.(Winter-2017)

The Computer network facilitates centralized network management in following aspects

1. Management of Software:
Expensive software can be installed on one centralized computer and they can be accessed by other
computers in a network.
2. Maintenance of network:
Because of centralized management, maintenance of network becomes easy an administrator can keep
track of network performance, speed and security from centralized computer
3. Keeping data Backup:
It may happen that the data on any one computer system is accidently lost due to system failure, computer
viruses or human error. To avoid this, data from computer system’s disk is copied to some other medium
for keeping it safe. Such backups are important to retrieve the lost data.
4. Network security:
It becomes easy to maintain network with respect to virus and malware attacks using centralized
management

MSBTE QUE.Differentiate between synchronous and asynchronous communication. (Winter-2019)

.

Synchronous communication Asynchronous communication

In Synchronous Transmission, data is sent in form In Asynchronous Transmission, data is sent in form
of blocks or frames. of byte or character.
Sender and Receiver use the same clock signal Does not need clock signal between the sender and
the receiver
It is more efficient and more reliable than In this transmission start bits and stop bits are added
asynchronous transmission to transfer the large with data.
amount of data.
Synchronous transmission is fast. Asynchronous transmission is slow.
In Synchronous transmission, time interval of In asynchronous transmission, time interval of
transmission is constant. transmission is not constant, it is random.

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

MSBTE Asked
Summer-2015
1) Compare human network and computer network.
(Each point- 1 Mark, any two points)(Refer Section-1.5)
2) Define ‘Packet’ in concern with computer communication. Summer-2017
(Definition – 2 Marks) (Refer Section-1.1.5)
3) Give advantages and disadvantages of computer network.
Winter-2015, Summer-2017, Summer-2017 Winter-2017
(Any 2 advantages- 2 Marks, Any 2 disadvantages- 2 Marks)(Refer Section-1.5.4)
4) Describe classification of computer networks.
(Classification – 2 Marks, Explanation of any one network -2 Marks)(Refer Section-1.6)
5) Enlist essential components required to design computer network. Describe any one in brief.
(1 mark for list, 1 mark for diagram, 2 marks for description, any other component can be considered)
6) State any four advantages of server based network over peer to peer network.
(Each advantage -1 Mark, any four advantages) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
7) List four types of servers. Describe them in brief. Winter-2015
8) Compare LAN, MAN and WAN.
(1 mark for each point, any four comparison points)(Refer Section-1.6.3)

Winter-2015
1) For following situations, state which type of network architecture is appropriate?
(i) Number of users 50 (ii) Data and resources need to be restricted.
(iii) No network administrator required. (iv) All users with equal priority
(1 Marks for each type) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
2) Define the following 1) Protocol 2) Peer
(Definition - 1Mark each)
3) What is meant by file sharing and printer sharing? How this can be achieved? Winter-2017
(Explanation - 2Marks Each)(Refer Section-1.5.4)
4) State the reason for implementing a network these key resources often shared on a network
(Reason -1 Mark, Any 3 key Resources - 1 Mark each)
5) If you have two computers to connect to a network located over a long distance over 100 KM, which type of
transmission you will used? Justify your answer by describing its features.
(Naming Transmission medium - 2 Marks, Features - 2 Marks)
6) Differentiate LAN and WAN by considering following points:
i. Physical area ii. Installation cost iii. Bandwidth iv. Transmission media
(1Mark for each Parameter)(Refer Section-1.6.3)

Summer-2016
(1) Define Computer Network. Winter-2017
(Definition - 2 marks)(Refer Section-1.5.1)
(2) List two applications of Computer Network.
(Any two Applications - 1 mark each)(Refer Section-1.5.3)
(3) Define (i) Protocol (ii) Encapsulation
(Definition - 1 mark each)
(4) State four benefits of computer networks.
(Any four Points - 1 mark each)(Refer Section-1.5.4)
(5) Classify Networks on the basis of their geography and define.
(Classification - 1 mark; Definition - 3 marks)(Refer Section-1.6)
(6) State the difference between server based network and peer to peer network.
(Any Four Points - 1 mark each)(Refer Section-1.7.2)
(7) Explain which resources can be shared in computer networks.
(Any Four Resources - 1 mark each)(Refer Section-1.7.2)
(8) Compare LAN & WAN.
(Any Four Comparison - 1 mark each)(Refer Section-1.6.3)

Winter-2016
1) State the need of computer network. 2M
(Any two Each 1 mark)(Refer Section-1.5.2)

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Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Data Communication & Computer Network Unit 1

2) Name any two types of server. 2M Summer-2015

(Any two server names Each: 1 mark)
3) Define Protocol. State the need for the same. Summer-2017
(Definition: 1 mark, Need: 1 mark)
4) Name any four resources that can be shared in a computer network.
(Each Resource: 1 mark) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
5) Describe the working of peer-to-peer network.
(Any four points each: 1 mark) (Refer Section-1.7.1)
6) State four features of LAN and WAN.
(Any four features from each, Each: 𝟏/𝟐 mark) (Refer Section-1.6.3)
7) State four benefits of network used for centralized management.
(Each Benefit: 1 mark) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
8)Describe the working of server based networks. Where is it used?
(Working: 2 marks, Uses: 2 marks) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
9) Draw a neat diagram and describe a wide area network. What are the three phases of communication in a WAN.
(Diagram: 1 mark, Description of WAN: 1 mark, Explanation of Three phases: 2 marks)(Refer Section-1.6.3)

Summer–17
1) State merits and demerits of client server network. 4M
(2 marks for any 2 correct merits , 2 marks for any 2 correct demerits) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
2) What is transceiver? State the advantages and disadvantages of it. 4M
(Definition: 2 marks, Any 2 Advantages: ½ mark each; Any 2 Disadvantages: ½ mark each.)(Refer Section-1.1.5)
3) List any two characteristics of LAN. 2M
(1 mark each for any 2 correct characteristics)(Refer Section-1.6.1)
4) Explain classification of computer network by their geography. 4M
(1 mark: listing;3 marks for explanation, any 3 explanation)(Refer Section-1.5.4)
5) Compare Client- Server and peer to peer network. 4MWinter-2017
(Any 4 comparison :1 mark each) (Refer Section-1.7.2)
6) Draw and explain Wide Area Network. 4M
(Any suitable Diagram:2 marks; Explanation: 2 marks)(Refer Section-1.5.4)
7) With neat diagram, explain client server network along with its advantages and disadvantages. 8M Winter-2017
(Explanation :3 marks, Diagram:1 mark, Advantages 2 marks and Disadvantage: 2 marks)(Refer Section-1.7.2)

Winter–17
1) Distinguish between LAN and WAN. 4M
(Any 4 correct points:1 mark each )
(Any 2 advantages :2marks)(Refer Section-1.5.4)
2) Explain computer network facilities in terms of centralized network management. 4M
(Each facility: 1 mark)(Refer Section-1.7.2)
3) State various network features. Explain any one in detail. 4M
(State: 2 marks, Explanation of any one: 2marks)(Refer Section-1.7.2)
4) With neat diagram explain client server network along with its advantages and disadvantages. 4M Summer-2017
(Diagram: 1 mark , Explanation:1 mark, Any 2 Advantages :1 mark, Any 2 Disadvantages:1 mark)(Refer Section-
1.7.2)

Summer-2019
1) Describe the process of data communication in various modes 4M(Refer Section 1.3)
2) Define Computer Network. 2M (Refer Section 1.5.1)
3) State various Computer Network applications 2M (Refer Section 1.5.3)
4) Define Computer Network and state its types. 2M (Refer Section 1.6)
5) Classify the network based on geographical area and transmission technology 4M (Refer Section 1.6)
Winter-2019
1) Draw and explain block diagram of communication system.(Refer Section 1.1)
2) List different characteristics of data communication system.(Refer Section 1.1)
3) Define bit rate and baud rate.(Refer Section 1.2)
4) Explain simplex, half duplex and full duplex modes in data communication.(Refer Section 1.3)
5) Differentiate between synchronous and asynchronous communication(Refer Section 1.7.2)

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