Communication Devices:
Introduction:
In this blog post I will be describing and identifying a range of communication
devices, this includes:
- Data Terminal Equipment
- Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment
- Laptop
- Smartphone
For each of the above communication devices, I will provide
an overall summary description as well as an explanation to how it could
connect to a network. However although there are benefits included, I will also
state the limitations of the devices/technologies.
Afterwards, I will cover the devices that works together to
make up the networks infrastructure by explaining its functionality and
purposes. These devices are:
- Switch
- Router
- Wireless Access Point
- Modem
- Server
Data
Terminal Equipment (DTE):
Data terminal equipment is the name given to a device which allows the
connection to the internet, controlling the flow of data. Different types of
DTE are used depending on the communication method used – an example of
communication method may include a router as the DTE such as a computer
connects to the modem using the Ethernet cable which is wired; this is the internal
of the device (computer). However, a limitation of the PC device is if the RAM
is limited, this is because only a specific amount of data can be held in one
go therefore the connectivity and speed of data is decreased and limited. This
limitation can be applied to other components of the computer such as its hard
drive space, processor speed and more because anything can become a limiting
factor.
Data Circuit-Terminating
Equipment (DCTE):
The data circuit-terminating equipment works with the data terminal
equipment. This is because the DTE connects to the network or internet as it is
actually a modem since the DCTE controls the communication of data. Furthermore,
the DCTE connects to a network by using connections such as Bluetooth, LAN (local
area network) and WAN (wide area network) etc. which are DTE’s. These devices transmit
a signal which the DCE receives and converts into an analogue signal/wave which
connects to the internet. Moreover, the limitation of DCTE is that it may not
be able to handle and process a huge load of data if it is receiving too much
data from the DTE, causing an overflow. Another limitation is the amount of
ports as only a certain amount of Ethernet cables can be connected.
Laptop:
A laptop is an example of another communication device essentially identical to a computer, except for it uses wireless internet connection (Wi-Fi) and has the feature to be portable. The laptop is also another DTE which connects to the modem (DCE). In addition to this, the laptop connects to the network with the help of wireless routers as the laptop transmits and receives data signals. The limitations of a laptop are that the connectivity ranges depending on the distance of the nearby wireless router. However, if the laptop is connected with a wire, such as an Ethernet cable, it will be directly linked to the wired router with no other data blockages from other users. Despite being wired, laptops are not as powerful as computers therefore the efficiency and capacity is lower than a computer in general due to its components and specifications.
A laptop is an example of another communication device essentially identical to a computer, except for it uses wireless internet connection (Wi-Fi) and has the feature to be portable. The laptop is also another DTE which connects to the modem (DCE). In addition to this, the laptop connects to the network with the help of wireless routers as the laptop transmits and receives data signals. The limitations of a laptop are that the connectivity ranges depending on the distance of the nearby wireless router. However, if the laptop is connected with a wire, such as an Ethernet cable, it will be directly linked to the wired router with no other data blockages from other users. Despite being wired, laptops are not as powerful as computers therefore the efficiency and capacity is lower than a computer in general due to its components and specifications.
Smartphone:
Smartphones is a popular DTE device that is becoming more common over the last ten years period. Smartphones are a way to communicate to one another such as using emails, voice calls and text messaging with the aid of wireless connectivity. Subsequently, smartphones can connect to a network wirelessly with a wireless router. This then transmits signal to the modem (DCTE) which ultimately provides connectivity. It can also connect to a network by using 3G, 3.5G, or 4G etc. that are supplied by the service provider’s DCTE. The limitations of smartphones are approximately the same as laptops as the connection varies depending on how far or close you are from it. Additionally, networks such as 3G, 3.5G, or 4G etc. may not always be available in certain areas as the radius is limited too, especially if the network is used by many people.
Smartphones is a popular DTE device that is becoming more common over the last ten years period. Smartphones are a way to communicate to one another such as using emails, voice calls and text messaging with the aid of wireless connectivity. Subsequently, smartphones can connect to a network wirelessly with a wireless router. This then transmits signal to the modem (DCTE) which ultimately provides connectivity. It can also connect to a network by using 3G, 3.5G, or 4G etc. that are supplied by the service provider’s DCTE. The limitations of smartphones are approximately the same as laptops as the connection varies depending on how far or close you are from it. Additionally, networks such as 3G, 3.5G, or 4G etc. may not always be available in certain areas as the radius is limited too, especially if the network is used by many people.
Switch:
Switches can help connect to a network and internet as it divides the bandwidth equally to each users. This functions in a way so that it attempts to avoid congestions and jam (also known as a bottle neck). As the bandwidth are and divided and shared equally, this means it is used and seen commonly more in larger controlled systems.
Switches can help connect to a network and internet as it divides the bandwidth equally to each users. This functions in a way so that it attempts to avoid congestions and jam (also known as a bottle neck). As the bandwidth are and divided and shared equally, this means it is used and seen commonly more in larger controlled systems.
Router:
The router is what our devices and DTE connects to such as PCs. The router can be either wired or wireless connection and are usually programmed. Furthermore, it is what transports the large amount of data from one place (DTE devices), through the modem (DCTE) to the router which connects to the internet. The router can also take place with wire by having Ethernet cables inserted into its port. Lastly, the router can enable a firewall protection to prevent virus’s files from being received, ultimately functioning as the bridge between the device and the modem.
The router is what our devices and DTE connects to such as PCs. The router can be either wired or wireless connection and are usually programmed. Furthermore, it is what transports the large amount of data from one place (DTE devices), through the modem (DCTE) to the router which connects to the internet. The router can also take place with wire by having Ethernet cables inserted into its port. Lastly, the router can enable a firewall protection to prevent virus’s files from being received, ultimately functioning as the bridge between the device and the modem.
Wireless
Access Point:
The wireless access point is merged with the router in the current day but was once separate and connected using cables from a historical point of view. With the wireless access point available, users can connect wirelessly with their devices such as smartphones and laptop using Wi-Fi – the signal/waves in between the wireless access point and the device. It mainly functions by transmitting and receiving data back and forth constantly to the device if it is close enough. This shows that it has a certain limit of radius the signals ranges to, therefore if the device is too far away or if there are many obstacles such as walls blocking the Wi-Fi, it will be harder to receive the internet.
The wireless access point is merged with the router in the current day but was once separate and connected using cables from a historical point of view. With the wireless access point available, users can connect wirelessly with their devices such as smartphones and laptop using Wi-Fi – the signal/waves in between the wireless access point and the device. It mainly functions by transmitting and receiving data back and forth constantly to the device if it is close enough. This shows that it has a certain limit of radius the signals ranges to, therefore if the device is too far away or if there are many obstacles such as walls blocking the Wi-Fi, it will be harder to receive the internet.
Modem:
The modem (DCTE) is the technology that works with the router and connects to the internet or network at the end of the line; this means it controls the communications. Nowadays, modems are built in together with the router and wireless access point altogether, making it more convenient for easy set up. The modem functions by transmitting data from the computer internally or externally through cables or phone lines then back again.
The modem (DCTE) is the technology that works with the router and connects to the internet or network at the end of the line; this means it controls the communications. Nowadays, modems are built in together with the router and wireless access point altogether, making it more convenient for easy set up. The modem functions by transmitting data from the computer internally or externally through cables or phone lines then back again.
Server:
The server functions by helping the user access the internet. To do this, it allows the computer to communicate to other computers by sharing and or providing data. There are also many different servers and each serves a different role, e.g. a server for databases, back-up files and storage, print, the screen and load of the webpage. This can be extremely useful for networks as it can be restored if anything crashes and doesn't function accordingly.
The server functions by helping the user access the internet. To do this, it allows the computer to communicate to other computers by sharing and or providing data. There are also many different servers and each serves a different role, e.g. a server for databases, back-up files and storage, print, the screen and load of the webpage. This can be extremely useful for networks as it can be restored if anything crashes and doesn't function accordingly.
Harvard Referencing:
(In order of reference)- Anderson, K. Atkinson-Beaumont, D.Kaye, A. Lawson,
J. McGill, R. Phillips, J and Richardson, D. 2011. Information Technology Level
3 Book 1 BTEC National. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. P.320.
Bibliography:
(In alphabetical order)
- Techterms, n.d. Laptop. [Online] Available at: <http://techterms.com/definition/laptop> [Accessed 15 January 2015].
- Techterms, n.d. Modems. [Online] Available at <http://techterms.com/definition/modem> [Accessed 15 January 2015].
- Techterms, n.d. Server. [Online] Available at: <http://techterms.com/definition/server> [Accessed 15 January 2015].
- Techterms, n.d. Laptop. [Online] Available at: <http://techterms.com/definition/laptop> [Accessed 15 January 2015].
- Techterms, n.d. Modems. [Online] Available at <http://techterms.com/definition/modem> [Accessed 15 January 2015].
- Techterms, n.d. Server. [Online] Available at: <http://techterms.com/definition/server> [Accessed 15 January 2015].
No comments:
Post a Comment