Assignment - DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKS
General Objectives:
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.0 Know the definition of data communication and different equipment and components used.
2.0 Understand modulation and multiplexing.
3.0 Understand transmission modes, and media.
4.0 To understand the need for communication Protocols.
5.0 Understand the concepts of computer Networks and Topology.
6.0 Understand network implementation and security.
1-2 • Appreciate the need for Data communication
• Identify data communication equipment
• Understand the function of data communication equipment.
To be able to:
Define Data Communication
Explain the need for communication between machines.
Explain the functions of online equipment, interactive terminals and batch processing terminals.
Explain the functions of equipment like: line controller, line drivers, modems, digital service unit, traffic clustering devices such as multiplexers and concentrators.
Discuss other equipment: Frontend-processors, workstations, monitoring device, diagnostic and testing equipment
3-4 To understand:
The need for modulation
Different modulation techniques
Different multiplexing techniques
To be able to:
Define modulation
Describe the different types of modulation amplitude, frequency and phase.
Explain frequency division multiplexing time division and statistical multiplexing.
Define a concentrator.
Differentiate between a multiplexer and a concentrator.
5-6-7 To understand:
Transmission modes
Transmission techniques
Different transmission Media and appreciate their properties..
To explain:
Different transmission modes such as Simplex, Half Duplex and full duplex.
Synchronous and Asynchronous transmissions modes..
Different transmission links, such as, Terrestrial links (switched and leased telephone lines, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, optical fibers
micro-wave (radio, wireless, satellite)
Compare and Contrast the media listed in 3.4 above.
8 To identify communication software and their characteristics.
To explain:
Communication software
Discuss:
Typical communication software characteristics
The functions of different categories of communication software, such as application software, performance software, teleprocessing software, line control software.
Students to interact with different communication software – Application software, performance software, teleprocessing software, linecontrol software
9 To understand the need for communication protocols
To explain:
Communication Protocols
The need for communication Protocols
Different transmission protocol, e.g. (synchronous Asynchronous)
The format of communication protocol for synchronous and Asynchronous.
Some typical transmission protocol, such as BSC, SDLC, HDLC, ATM, SPX, IPX, TCP/IP.
10 To understand the need for network Topology
To define a network
To explain:
The rational for a computer network
The components of an existing computer network.
Different network topologies, such as point to point, multi drop, Star, Tree, BUS, Ring, Mesh and Hybrid.
To Present ISO standard reference module.
11 To Understand the need for layered approach in network design.
State and explain the objectives of different layer in the ISO reference module.
Provide examples of existing network architecture such as SNA,DNA ARPNET, JANET…etc
12-13 To understand characteristics of LAN, MAN, WAN Internet, Intranet.
Discuss distance-based classification of computer networks e.g. LAN, MAN, WAN, Intranets, Internet, etc.
List networking, internet working.
State and discuss the characteristics of devices and /components such as repeaters, bridges, routers, gateways, cables, connectors servers, clients, workstations, VSAT, ………etc.
Explain Structured cabling.
Explain different topologies used in local area network.
Discuss the application area of different topology
14 Understand LAN Topology and data communication using BUS, RING Star Topologies.
Discuss the merits associated with each topology.
Explain Network Security
Discuss steps in ensuring network security.
15 Understand the need for network security.
Discuss error detection and correction.
Discuss fundamentals of cryptography (secret-key, public-key, authentication and digital signatures, firewalls … etc)