Question Bank:

1. What is data communication? List characteristics of data

communication.
Data communications means the exchange of data between two
devices via some form of transmission medium such as a wire
cable.
For data communications to occur, the communicating devices
must be part of a communication system made up of a
combination of hardware (physical equipment) and software
(programs).
Characteristics of Data Communication –
1. Delivery:
The system must deliver data to the correct destination. Data
must be received by the intended device or user and only by
that device or user.
2. Accuracy:
The system must deliver the data accurately. Data that have
been altered in transmission and left uncorrected are unusable.
3. Timeliness:
The system must deliver data in a timely manner. Data
delivered late are useless.
4. Jitter:
Jitter refers to the variation in the packet arrival time. It is the
uneven delay in the delivery of audio or video packets.

2. Draw basic block diagram of Data Communication system.

3. List and describe the components of data communication.
1. Sender –
It is simply a device that sends data messages. It can be a
computer, mobile, telephone, laptop, video camera, or
workstation, etc.
2. Receiver –
It is a device that receives messages. It can be a computer,
telephone mobile, workstation, etc.
3. Transmission Medium / Communication Channels -
Communication channels are the medium that connect two
or more workstations. Workstations can be connected by
either wired media or wireless media.
4. Set of rules (Protocol) –
When someone sends the data (The sender), it should be
understandable to the receiver also otherwise it is
meaningless.
5. Message -
A message is a piece of information that is to be transmitted
from one person to another. It could be a text file, an audio
file, a video file, etc.

4. Define Synchronous, Asynchronous, Isochronous, Serial and

Parallel data transmission.
1. Synchronous data transmission –
In Synchronous Transmission, data is sent in form of blocks
or frames. Between sender and receiver, synchronization is
compulsory. In Synchronous transmission, there is no time-
gap present between data.

2. Asynchronous data transmission –

 In Asynchronous Transmission, data is sent in form of byte
or character. In this transmission start bits and stop bits are
added with data. It does not require synchronization.

3. Isochronous data transmission –

It is combination of both Synchronous and Asynchronous
data transmissions. Here the transmission has a time
constraint meaning, data must be delivered within time and
at regular intervals.
4. Serial data transmission –
In this, data-bit flows from one computer to another
computer in bi-direction. In this transmission, one-bit flows
at one clock pulse. In Serial Transmission, 8 bits are
transferred at a time having a start and stop bit.
 5. Parallel data transmission –
In this, many bits are flow together simultaneously from one
computer to another computer. Parallel Transmission is
faster than serial transmission to transmit the bits. Parallel
transmission is used for short distance.

5. Define Data rate, Bit rate, Signaling rate, Baud rate.

1. Data rate –
Data Rate is defined as the amount of data transmitted
during a specified time period over a network. It is the speed
at which data is transferred from one device to another.
2. Bit rate –
Bit rate is defined as the transmission of a number of bits per
unit time (seconds). Bit rate emphasized computer efficiency.
3. Signaling rate –
Data signaling rate, is the aggregate rate at which data
passes a point in the transmission path of a data
transmission system.
4. Baud rate –
Baud rate is defined as the number of signal units per
second. Baud rate emphasized data transmission.

6. What are examples of point-to-point and multipoint connection?

1. Point-to-point connection examples –
Star Topology, Ring Topology, Mesh Topology.
 2. Multipoint connection examples –
Bus Topology, Tree Topology, Hybrid Topology.

7. Outline the diagram of Ring, Bus Topology.

Ring topology –

Bus topology –

8. Name the advantages of Networking.

1. Resource sharing –
Devices can share resources between each other
interconnected through a network.
2. Remote management –
 With a network, one can effortlessly manage their team from
even the remotest location virtually.
3. Cloud Computing –
Not everyone has access to high end hardware, so using a
network to access cloud computing serves as a solution.
4. Collaboration –
Collaboration can be improved if a team is just few clicks
away and network aids that.
5. Communication –
Similar to collaboration, communication also improves once
a network.
6. Competitive advantage –
If you have a network setup, to integrate your teams, you
have a better competitive advantage.

9. Examine Client-Server Architecture.

Diagram –

This is a model built to distribute workload between clients and

servers.
Client -
Client refers to any entity or organisation using a particular
service.
Server –
Server refers to a medium or person that serves something with a
specific purpose in mind.
 Methodology -
1. A request is sent to the server by the client, through the
internet.
2. The server accepts the requests and sends data packets to the
client as per request.
3. Clients don’t share any resources but can share credentials if
required.
4. Example – World Wide Web, E-Mail.

10.Discuss Tree topology in detail.

1. The topology which has tree like structure and all the
devices are connected in branches is a Tree topology.
2. It is a combination of bus and start topology.
3. It is highly flexible and has a better scalability than
individual topologies.
4. Most popular topology among all.

Diagram –

11.Name two disadvantages of Mesh Topology.

 1. Installation of this is extremely difficult.
2. Setup is a Complex process.
3. Power requirement is high.
4. Maintenance needs are challenging.
5. Each new devices adds significant cost.

12.Name two disadvantages of Hybrid Topology.

1. Design is a complex process.
2. Hybrid structures are larger in scale and hence require more
cables.
3. Hubs used to connect two structures are very costly, because
they are more intelligent than usual hubs.
4. Changes are to be made in hardware to connect one
topology to another.

13.Discuss Transport Layer.

Transport Layer –
It is responsible for giving services to application layer. Each
transport layer protocol has a specified protocol.

14.Discuss Application Layer.

Application Layer –
It is the logical end-to-end connection between two layers. It
includes a lot of predefined protocols over the internet.

15.Rewrite two protocols briefly.

1. TCP/IP Protocol –
Also known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol, developed by US Dept. of Defence to connect
multiple networks and preserve integrity.
2. ISO-OSI Model –
The International Standard Organisation developed this
architecture to allow different devices of varying
manufacturers to work together to communicate with
different operating systems.

16.Outline basic layers in TCP/IP Protocol Suite.

There are 5 basic layers in TCP/IP Suite as below –
1. Physical Layer -
It is lowest layer in a network model and is responsible for
carrying individual bit in a frame across the link. It deals
with the mechanical and electrical interface and medium.
2. Data Link Layer –
It is responsible for taking datagram and moving it across
the link. The link can be wired/wireless.
3. Network Layer -
It is responsible for connecting source computer to
destination computer. Routers are responsible to choose the
best path.
4. Transport Layer –
It is responsible for giving services to application layer. Each
transport layer protocol has a specified protocol.
5. Application Layer –
It is the logical end-to-end connection between two layers. It
includes a lot of predefined protocols over the internet.