Data Communications and Networking

Data Communications and Networking is the discipline within computer science focused on the principles and practices of transmitting digital information between two or more computing devices. It covers the entire spectrum of this process, from the physical layer—concerning the hardware, media (like cables or wireless signals), and signaling methods—to the higher-level protocols and software that govern data formatting, transmission, and routing across complex network architectures. The ultimate goal is to design, build, and manage reliable and efficient networks, ranging from small local area networks (LANs) to the global internet, enabling seamless resource sharing and communication.

1. Introduction to Data Communications and Networking
   1. Core Concepts of Communication
      1. Data and Information
         1. Definition of Data
         2. Definition of Information
         3. Relationship Between Data and Information
      2. Signals and Signal Types
         1. Analog Signals
            1. Characteristics of Analog Signals
            2. Amplitude
            3. Frequency
            4. Phase
         2. Digital Signals
            1. Characteristics of Digital Signals
            2. Binary Representation
            3. Signal Levels
      3. Communication System Components
         1. Sender Functions
         2. Receiver Functions
         3. Communication Medium
      4. Communication Modes
         1. Simplex Communication
         2. Half-Duplex Communication
         3. Full-Duplex Communication
      5. Transmission Media Overview
         1. Guided Media
         2. Unguided Media
   2. Fundamentals of Networking
      1. Network Definition and Purpose
      2. Network Criteria
         1. Performance Metrics
            1. Bandwidth
            2. Throughput
            3. Latency
            4. Jitter
         2. Reliability Factors
            1. Availability
            2. Downtime
            3. Recovery Time
            4. Mean Time Between Failures
         3. Security Requirements
            1. Threat Types
            2. Security Countermeasures
      3. Network Components
         1. End Devices
            1. Computers
            2. Servers
            3. Mobile Devices
            4. IoT Devices
         2. Intermediary Devices
            1. Switches
            2. Routers
            3. Hubs
            4. Gateways
            5. Access Points
            6. Bridges
         3. Network Media
            1. Copper Cables
            2. Fiber Optic Cables
            3. Wireless Media
   3. Network Types and Classifications
      1. Classification by Geographic Scale
         1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
            1. Bluetooth Networks
            2. Infrared Networks
            3. USB Networks
         2. Local Area Network (LAN)
            1. Wired LAN Characteristics
            2. Wireless LAN Characteristics
         3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
            1. MAN Characteristics
            2. MAN Technologies
         4. Wide Area Network (WAN)
            1. WAN Characteristics
            2. WAN Technologies
         5. Global Area Network (GAN)
            1. Internet as GAN
            2. Satellite Networks
      2. Classification by Network Architecture
         1. Peer-to-Peer Networks
            1. P2P Characteristics
            2. P2P Advantages
            3. P2P Disadvantages
            4. P2P Use Cases
         2. Client-Server Networks
            1. Client-Server Characteristics
            2. Client-Server Advantages
            3. Client-Server Disadvantages
            4. Client-Server Use Cases
   4. Network Topologies
      1. Physical Topologies
         1. Bus Topology
            1. Bus Structure
            2. Bus Advantages
            3. Bus Disadvantages
         2. Star Topology
            1. Star Structure
            2. Star Advantages
            3. Star Disadvantages
         3. Ring Topology
            1. Ring Structure
            2. Ring Advantages
            3. Ring Disadvantages
         4. Mesh Topology
            1. Full Mesh
            2. Partial Mesh
            3. Mesh Advantages
            4. Mesh Disadvantages
         5. Tree Topology
            1. Tree Structure
            2. Tree Advantages
            3. Tree Disadvantages
         6. Hybrid Topology
            1. Hybrid Structure
            2. Hybrid Advantages
            3. Hybrid Disadvantages
      2. Logical Topologies
         1. Logical Bus
         2. Logical Ring
         3. Logical Star
   5. Standards and Protocols
      1. Importance of Standards
         1. Interoperability
         2. Compatibility
         3. Quality Assurance
      2. Standards Organizations
         1. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
         2. International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T)
         3. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
         4. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
         5. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
      3. Protocol Fundamentals
         1. Protocol Definition
         2. Protocol Syntax
         3. Protocol Semantics
         4. Protocol Timing