- Successful communications requires a sending device that initiates a transmission instruction, a communications device that connects the sending device to a communications channel, a communications channel on which the data travels, a communications device that connects the communications channel to a receiving device, and a receiving device that accepts the transmission of data, instructions, or information.
2. Identify various sending and receiving devices.
- A sending device initiates the transmission of data, instructions, and information while a receiving device accepts the items transmitted.
- All types of computers and mobile devices serve as sending and receiving devices in a communications system. This includes mainframe computers, servers, desktop computers, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, smart phones, portable media players, and GPS receivers.3. Describe uses of computer communications.
- Communications technologies include the Internet, Web, e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, newsgroups, blogs, wikis, RSS, VoIP, FTP, Web folders, video conferencing, and fax machine or computer fax/modem.
4. List advantages of using a network.
- Speed
- Cost
- Security
- Centralized Software Management
- Resource Sharing
- Work group computing
- A client server setup has servers, which are dedicated machines that perform specific functions in the network. A server can be used to manage a network's email (mail server), database (database server), files (file server), printers (print server), or access an anti-virus (security server). This division of labor between components make a client server setup more efficient than a peer-to-peer network.
- A peer-to-peer network setup Simple network that connects fewer than 10 computers. Each computer, or peer, has equal capabilities.
- P2P is an Internet peer-to-peer network Enables users to connect to each other’s hard disks and exchange files directly.
6. Describe the various network communications standards.
- Ethernet technology allows computers to contend for access to network
-Token Ring technology controls access to network by requiring devices to pass a special signal called token.
-TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) technology transmits data by breaking it up into small pieces, or packets
-802.11 (WiFi) is family of standards for wireless LANs
-Bluetooth Short-range radio waves transmit data between Bluetooth devices
-UWB specification allows data to be transferred wirelessly via short-range radio waves
-IrDA specification allows data to be transferred wirelessly via infrared light waves
-WiMax/802.16 standard that specifies how wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area
-RFID uses radio signals to communicate with a tag placed in an object
-WAP allow wireless mobile devices to access Internet
7. Explain the purpose of communications software.
-Programs that help users establish connection to Internet, other network, or another computer
-Programs that help users manage transmission of data, instructions, and information
8. Describe various types of lines for communications over the telephone network.
- PSTN Worldwide telephone system that handles voice-oriented telephone calls
-Dial Up Line Temporary connection using telephone line for communications
-Dedicated Line Always-on connection between two communications devices
9. Describe commonly used communications devices.
- Dial Up Modems A dial-up modem converts digital signals to analog signals and vice versa
-ISDN/DSL Modems Usually external devices in which one end connects to a telephone line and the other end connects to a port on the system unit
-Cable Modem Sends and receives data over cable television network.Broadband modem.
-Wireless Modem Allows access to the Web wirelessly from a notebook computer, a PDA, a smart phone, or other mobile device.
-Network Card Ø
, 
,
-Token Ring technology controls access to network by requiring devices to pass a special signal called token.
-TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) technology transmits data by breaking it up into small pieces, or packets
-802.11 (WiFi) is family of standards for wireless LANs
-Bluetooth Short-range radio waves transmit data between Bluetooth devices
-UWB specification allows data to be transferred wirelessly via short-range radio waves
-IrDA specification allows data to be transferred wirelessly via infrared light waves
-WiMax/802.16 standard that specifies how wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area
-RFID uses radio signals to communicate with a tag placed in an object
-WAP allow wireless mobile devices to access Internet
7. Explain the purpose of communications software.
-Programs that help users establish connection to Internet, other network, or another computer
-Programs that help users manage transmission of data, instructions, and information
8. Describe various types of lines for communications over the telephone network.
- PSTN Worldwide telephone system that handles voice-oriented telephone calls
-Dial Up Line Temporary connection using telephone line for communications
-Dedicated Line Always-on connection between two communications devices
9. Describe commonly used communications devices.
- Dial Up Modems A dial-up modem converts digital signals to analog signals and vice versa
-ISDN/DSL Modems Usually external devices in which one end connects to a telephone line and the other end connects to a port on the system unit
-Cable Modem Sends and receives data over cable television network.Broadband modem.
-Wireless Modem Allows access to the Web wirelessly from a notebook computer, a PDA, a smart phone, or other mobile device.
-Network Card Ø
Adapter card, PC Card, ExpressCard module, USB network adapter, or flash card that enables computer or device to access network .
, -Wireless Access Point
Central communications device that allows computers and devices to transfer data wirelessly among themselves or wirelessly to a wired network .
-Router Connects computers and transmits data to correct destination on network.
-Hub or Switch Device that provides central point for cables in network.
