Data communication is the exchange of data (in the form of 0s and 1s) between two devices via some form of transmission medium (such as wire cable).
Data communication is considered local if the communicating devices are in the same building or a similar restricted geographical area, and is considered remote if the devices are farther apart.
A data communication system made up of a combination of Hardware and Software.
Components of a Data Communication System
• A data communication system is made up of five components: Message, Sender, Receiver, Medium, and Protocol.
• Message – The message is the information (data) to be communicated. It can consist of text, numbers, pictures, sound, or video – or any combination of these.
• Sender –The sender is the device that sends the data message. It can be a computer, workstation, telephone handset, video camera, and so on.
• Receiver –The receiver is the device that receives the message. It can be a computer, workstation, telephone handset, television, and so on.
• Medium – The transmission medium is the physical path by which a message travels from sender to receiver. It consists of twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, laser, or radio waves (terrestrial or satellite microwave).
• Protocol – A protocol is a set of rules that govern data communication. It represents an agreement between the communicating devices. With out a protocol, two devices may be connected but not communicating, just as a person speaking French cannot be understood by a person who speaks only Japanese.
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