6. Data Communication

Question 1

Data communication

Answer 1

Electronic transfer of data from one location to another

Question 2

Bandwidth

Answer 2

Amount of data that can be transferred from one point to another in a certain time period, usually a second.

Question 3

Attenuation

Answer 3

Loss of power in a signal as it travels from the sending device to receiving device

Question 4

Broadband

Answer 4

Multiple pieces of data are sent simultaneously to increase transmission rate

Question 5

Protocols

Answer 5

Rules that govern aspects of data communication including error detection, message length, and transmission speed

Question 6

Modem

Answer 6

A device that connects a user to the internet

Question 7

Centralized processing

Answer 7

All processing is done at one central computer

Question 8

Communication media

Answer 8

Or channels, connect sender and receiver devices. Can be conducted or radiated

Question 9

Conducted media

Answer 9

Provides a physical path along which signals are transmitted

Question 10

Radiated media

Answer 10

Use an antenna for transmitting data through air or water

Question 11

Decentralized processing

Answer 11

Where each user or dept has its own computer for processing tasks

Question 12

Narrowband

Answer 12

is a voice-grade transmission channel capable of transmitting a maximum of 56,000 bps, so only a limited amount of information can be transferred in a specific period of time.

Question 13

Digital subscriber line (DSL)

Answer 13

a common carrier service, is a high-speed service that uses ordinary phone lines.

Question 14

Distributed processing

Answer 14

maintains centralized control and decentralized operations. Processing power is distributed among several locations.

Question 15

local area network (LAN)

Answer 15

A local area network (LAN) connects workstations and peripheral devices that are in close proximity.

Question 16

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model

Answer 16

The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a seven-layer architecture for defining how data is transmitted from computer to computer in a network, from the physical connection to the network to the applications that users run. It also standardizes interactions between network computers exchanging information.

Question 17

metropolitan area network (MAN)

Answer 17

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is designed to handle data communication for multiple organizations in a city and sometimes nearby cities as well.

Question 18

wide area network (WAN)

Answer 18

A wide area network (WAN) can span several cities, states, or even countries, and is usually owned by several different parties.

Question 19

network interface card (NIC)

Answer 19

A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component that enables computers to communicate over a network.

Question 20

network topology

Answer 20

A network topology represents a network’s physical layout, including the arrangement of computers and cables.

Question 21

controller

Answer 21

A controller is a hardware and software device that controls data transfer from a computer to a peripheral device (for example, a monitor, a printer, or a keyboard) and vice versa.

Question 22

star topology

Answer 22

The star topology usually consists of a central computer (the host computer, often a server) and a series of nodes (typically, workstations or peripheral devices).

Question 23

hierarchical topology

Answer 23

A hierarchical topology (also called a “tree”) combines computers with different processing strengths in different organizational levels.

Question 24

bus topology

Answer 24

The bus topology (also called “linear bus”) connects nodes along a network segment, but the ends of the cable are not connected, as they are in a ring topology.

Question 25

ring topology

Answer 25

In a ring topology, no host computer is required because each computer manages its own connectivity.

Question 26

multiplexer

Answer 26

A multiplexer is a hardware device that allows several nodes to share one communication channel.

Question 27

mesh topology

Answer 27

In a mesh topology (also called “plex” or “interconnected”), every node is connected to every other node.

Question 28

packet

Answer 28

A packet is a collection of binary digits—including message data and control characters for formatting and transmitting—sent from computer to computer over a network.

Question 29

routing

Answer 29

is the process of deciding which path to take on a network. This is determined by the type of network and the software used to transmit data.

Question 30

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Answer 30

is an industry-standard suite of communication protocols that enables interoperability.

Question 31

routing table

Answer 31

A routing table, generated automatically by software, is used to determine the best possible route for a packet.

Question 32

centralized routing

Answer 32

In centralized routing, one node is in charge of selecting the path for all packets. This node, considered the network routing manager, stores the routing table, and any changes to a route must be made at this node.

Question 33

router

Answer 33

A router is a network connection device containing software that connects network systems and controls traffic flow between them.

Question 34

Distributed routing

Answer 34

relies on each node to calculate its own best possible route. Each node contains its own routing table with current information on the status of adjacent nodes so packets can follow the best possible route.

Question 35

Static routes

Answer 35

are manually configured and give the router information about available networks in the form of IP addresses. Static routes are ideal for smaller networks.

Question 36

Dynamic routes

Answer 36

are learned dynamically (automatically) and added to the routing table using a dynamic routing protocol such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol) or OSPF (Open Shortest Path First); they are ideal for larger networks.

Question 37

wireless network

Answer 37

A wireless network uses wireless instead of wired technology.

Question 38

n-tier architecture

Answer 38

An n-tier architecture attempts to balance the workload between client and server by removing application processing from both the client and server and placing it on a middle-tier server.

Question 39

client/server model

Answer 39

In the client/server model, software runs on the local computer (the client) and communicates with the remote server to request information or services. A server is a remote computer on the network that provides information or services in response to client requests.

Question 40

two-tier architecture

Answer 40

In the two-tier architecture, the most common type, a client (tier one) communicates directly with the server (tier two).

Question 41

mobile network

Answer 41

A mobile network (also called a cellular network) operates on a radio frequency (RF) and consists of radio cells, each served by a fixed transmitter known as a cell site or base station.

Question 42

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)

Answer 42

is a broadband wireless technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standards. It is designed for wireless metropolitan area networks and usually has a range of about 30 miles for fixed stations and 3–10 miles for mobile stations.

Question 43

Wi-Fi

Answer 43

is a broadband wireless technology. Information can be transmitted over short distances—typically 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors—in the form of radio waves.

Question 44

Bluetooth

Answer 44

which can be used to create a personal area network (PAN), is a wireless technology for transferring data over short distances (usually 800 feet, or 240 meters) using fixed and mobile devices.

Question 45

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

Answer 45

To improve the efficiency and quality of digital communications, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) divides each channel into six time slots. Each user is allocated two slots: one for transmission and one for reception. This method increases efficiency by 300 percent, as it allows carrying three calls on one channel.

Question 46

Throughput

Answer 46

is similar to bandwidth. It is the amount of data transferred or processed in a specified time, usually one second.

Question 47

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Answer 47

To improve the efficiency and quality of digital communications, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) transmits multiple encoded messages over a wide frequency and then decodes them at the receiving end.

Question 48

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)

Answer 48

is a broadband wireless technology. Information can be transmitted over short distances—typically 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors—in the form of radio waves.

Question 49

convergence

Answer 49

In data communication, convergence refers to integrating voice, video, and data so that multimedia information can be used for decision making.