Data Transmission 2

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture on data packet, protocol, and their related concepts (speed, compression, transmission media, packet switching).

Data Transmission

The process of sending and receiving data over a network.

Client

A computer or device that requests resources or services from a server.

Server

A computer or device that provides resources or services to clients.

Request

A message sent from a client to a server for resources or service.

Response

The data sent from a server back to a client after processing a request.

Compression

Encoding information so that it takes up less space than the original. If there is less to send, time is saved sending it.

Lossless Compression

A compression type that reduces the number of bits without losing any information by identifiying and eliminating statistical redundancy.

Lossy Compression

A compression type that permits some loss of data/information to achieve smaller size. However, there is no way to get back to the original state.

Data Packets

Small units of data used in network communication that hold information about the sender, destination and protocol in addition to the data.

Protocol

A set of rules that govern communication between devices in a network. Without protocols, communication would be impossible.

Requirements for communication to take place

• encyption (CS, need for privacy)

• voice

• 2 or more parties involved in the communication

• common language

• ability to recieve (hear) data

• programming to be able to interpret the data

Protocols also guarantee:

Data Integrity: Ensuring that information does not change during transmission.

Flow Control: Managing the rate of data transmission to prevent overwhelming a network.

Deadlock prevention: Avoiding situations where two processes cannot proceed due to waiting on each other. (no resource conflict)

Error checking: Determining presence of errors that occur during data transmission.

Transmission Speed

The rate at which data is transmitted over a network. It is influenced by various factors such as:

• network bandwidth: theoretical speed of data

• CPU speed

• malicious software

Wired Communication

Transmission of data using physical connections like cables eg. copper cable, fiber optic cable. (transmission media)

Wireless Communication

Transmission of data without physical connections, using technologies like radio waves eg. microwave radio, satellites, bluetooth. (transmission media)

Packet Switching

A method of data transmission where files are broken prior into packets that take different routes to the destination.

Each packet contains the reciever’s address so each node can determine how to best get this packet closer to its destination.

Transoceanic Cables

Cables laid on the sea floor for transmitting data across oceans.