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Data communication
refers to all the
methods by which
computers and other
devices in a network
send data to each

WHAT IS A NETWORK?
A network is a set of computers that are linked
together so that they can share facilities such
as printers, files, memory space and so on.

ADVANTAGES OF NETWORKING
Shared applications

Reduced hardware -Users share software

costs

-Users share equipment

Connected people
-People can work
together without
being at the same
location
-Groupware software
enables sharing of
schedules and
c
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-File server enables all

users to work with
the same application
program
Building information
resources
-Users create common
pools of data that
can be accessed by
employees

DISADVANTAGES OF NETWORKING

The organization has to pay technical staff

to maintain the network.
The network fail occasionally then no one in the
organization can use the computers.
As more users long on to the network the servers
have to share there time among them and
the system may slow down.
Additional work is given when the
users forget their password

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TYPES OF NETWORKS

There are three (3) main types of networks:

1. LAN Local Area Network: this is a network of

computers that are connected by cables over a
fairly small area, usually within one building,
such as an office or school.

2. MAN - Metropolitan Area Network: this is a

computer network run by one organization that
connects together several LANs across a larger
area such as a city. A MAN uses both cables and
wireless connections.

2. WAN - Wide Area Network: this is a network

that connects computers over a wide area or
even across the world. A WAN uses satellite and
other wireless connections rather that cables.

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Answer the following question
in your notebooks:

Which of the networks

(LAN, MAN, WAN) is
used here in the I.T. lab?
Give reasons for your
answer.
Is the internet a type of
network? If yes what
type of network is it
(LAN, MAN, WAN)? Give
reasons for your
answers

TRANSMISSION MEDIA
These are cables and signaling methods that
carry data from one place to another in a
network. Transmission media fall into two (2)
groups: wired transmission media and wireless
transmission media.

WIRED TRANSMISSION MEDIA

-These consists of cables and wires used for
transmission.
1. Twisted Pair cables: this consist of two
insulated wires twisted around each other; the
same type of wire as that used for telephones.

2. Coaxial cables: these consists of an insulated

copper wire surrounded by a layer of braided
wire; the same type of wire as that used for
cable TV.

3. Fibre optic cable: this consist of a type of fiber

glass cable that transmits data in the form of
light impulses. They can carry more data for
longer distances than other wired medias.

WIRELESS TRANSMISSION MEDIA

-This refers to the methods of carrying data
through the air or space using signals.
1. Infrared : is a wireless transmission medium
that carries data via light beams. It includes a
transmitter and receiver for sending and
receiving signals.
.Transmitter and receiver must be in line of sight.

2. Radio Wave: this is a wireless transmission

medium that carries data via radio frequency
signals.
Wireless LANs in a home or business are one
type of radio technology.
Radio signals can be long range (between cities
or regions) and short range (within a building).
Radio signals are susceptible to noise and
electrical interference.

3. Microwaves: are high-frequency radio waves.

Much of long-distance telephone service is
carried by microwaves.
Microwaves travel in a straight line.
Microwave relay stations are built about 30 miles
apart.

4. Satellites: are microwave relay stations

suspended in space. Satellites use microwave
signals to transmit data to and from earthbased relay stations.

WIRELESS NETWORK TECHNOLOGY

-These

are used to connect laptops and other

mobile devices to a network. These are:

1. WI-FI(wireless fidelity): is a wireless method of

data transmission used in LANs and for
internet access. Some cell phones can use WIFI technology to access the internet.
2. Bluetooth: is similar to WI-FI but only works
over short distances and is slower. It is mainly
used to send data between devices such as a
cell phone, camera, laptop and so on.

GROUP ACTIVITY
Students will be placed into groups based on
the type of transmission medium they choose.
They will then give advantages and
disadvantages of the transmission medium
selected.

READ UP ON THE FOLLOWING FOR THE

NEXT CLASS:
-Modem
-Hotspot
-Bandwidth(narrowband, voiceband, broadband)
-Communication modes(simplex,halfduplex,duplex)