Transcript Document
INF550/NZD550
Questions
How does 1 computer communicate with another one?
What devices allow computers to communicate?
How do they work?
What mediums are used to connect computers and devices?
What types of connections are there?
Analogue and Digital Signals
Communication Systems
Four basic elements
Sending and receiving devices
Communication channel
Connection devices
Data transmission specifications
Switch
Used to network multiple
computers together
Able to determine the location of
devices connected to it so
messages are sent more efficiently
Modem
Short for Modulator/Demodulator
Allows computers to send
messages over the telephone lines
by converting digital signals to
analogue signals (modulation)
and back again (demodulation)
Router
Routes data from a local area
network to another network
connection
Allows multiple computers and
other to join the same network
Include
Ethernet ports for wired
connections
Wireless antenna for wireless
connections
Device Connection Order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
PC or wireless device
Router
Modem
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Internet
Physical Connections
Ethernet Cable (Twisted Pair)
Two standard used in computing
networks
CAT5 which can run at 100Mbps
CAT6 which can run a 1Gbps
(1000Mpbs)
eight strands of twisted cable
connected by an RJ45 plug.
Industry standard in computer
networking.
Coaxial Cable
Single solid copper core
Historically used on computer
networks (called 10Base-T) in the
1980’s and 1990’s and has been
Replaced by Ethernet cable due to
its higher speeds of transmission
and fragility of the network
10Base-T was limited to 10Mpbs
Today coaxial cable is found
delivering television signals from
antenna / satellite dish to TV unit
Fibre-Optic
Uses light pulses to transmit data
Capable of transmission speeds of 1
PetaByte/s (1,000,000 Gbps)
Best over limited distances
Lighter, more reliable, and less
expensive than copper type cables.
Fibre optic cables forms the backbone of the worlds communication
networks.
Government rolling out fibre (UFB)
to the majority of businesses and
home in New Zealand but will only
see speeds of up to 100Mbps.
Comparison
Wireless
Microwave
Transmit data via electromagnetic
waves
Used for high-volume, long
distance communications
Must have line-of-sight
Transmitter and receiver must be
in sight of each other
Limit placed by curvature of the
Earth
May experience difficulties with
severe weather eg heavy rain,
snow
Satellite
Use communications satellites
Must have line of sight
Bigger footprint than microwave
transmitters as further out
Uses broadcast transmissions
Sends signals to many receivers at
the same time
Used in NZ for rural broadband
Slower than ADSL broadband
Faster than dial-up connections
Radio
Sends data directly between
transmitters and receivers using
radio-wave frequencies
Can travel through normal office
walls
Transmitted at high speed
Can create electrical interference
Types
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
Infrared
Red light
Usually invisible to human eye
Commonly used in remotes
Can be used for short-distance
connections
Needs line of sight
One-to-one technology
Only send between 2 devices at
one time
Comparison
Communication Channels Summary
Connection Services
Dial-Up services
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
ADSL most widely used
Cable
Uses TV coaxial cable
Satellite
Wireless
Fibre to home
Cellular Services
3G and 4G cellular networks