Data Communications: Simplified
(True meaning of data communications and networks)
Greetings readers! In this blog, I’ll explain to you the true meaning of Data Communication and Networks with a realistic and simplified approach.
You might already know what are networks, what is networking, and related stuff, but have you ever thought beyond the standard definition and tried to seek the real meaning? If no, then continue reading.
Read the illustration.
Aditya is searching for a website named cybernity.org in his browser, but he does not have an internet connection to do so. The obvious result he gets is the browser replying “You’re Offline or No Internet Connection”.
Explanation
It’s happening because there’s no common medium for exchanging data between Aditya’s computing device and the server from where cybernity.org is being accessed.
A network serves as that common medium of exchange so that the data can be shared among the devices involved in communication.
This process of exchanging data between devices is called Data Communications. For data communication to occur, the communicating devices must have a similar communication system ( a network), which can either be guided or unguided.
Data Communications: Characteristics
The effectiveness of a data communication system relies on some fundamental characteristics - Delivery, Accuracy, Timeliness and Jitter.
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Delivery : The data communication system must ensure that the data is being sent to the person who is expected to receive it.
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Accuracy : The data must be sent with accuracy, data lost or altered in transmission process is of little or no use for the end-user.
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Timeliness : Data must be sent in a timely fashion. Late transmission of data in scenarios such as audio or video streams is of no use for the user.
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Jitter : Jitter refers to the variation in packet arrival time. In simple words, Jitter means the difference between the delivery of audio and video packets.
Data Communications: Components
A data communication system has 5 fundamental components, which are necessary for data communication to occur.
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Sender : The sender is that computing device that sends the data.
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Receiver : The receiver is that computing device which receives the data.
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Message: The message is the data that is to be send and or received in a data communication system.
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Transmission Medium : The transmission medium (or media) is the path by which the data travels from sender to receiver. This path can either be guided (wired) or unguided (wireless).
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Protocol : A protocol is a set of standards or rules that governs data communications. Multiple devices can be a part of a communication system without a protocol, however for data communication to occur there must be a protocol that is mutually acceptable among all the communicating devices.
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