Network Components
A data communication system has five components.
1. Message
2. Sender
3. Receiver
4. Medium
5. Protocol
1. Message: The message is the information (data) to be communicated. It can consist of text, pictures, sound, or video- or any combination of these.
2. Sender: The sender is the device that sends the data message. It can be a computer, workstation, telephone handset, and so on.
3.Receiver: The receiver is the device that receives the message. It can be computer, workstation, telephone handset, television, and so on.
4.Medium: The transmission medium is the physical path by which a message travels from sender to receiver. It could be a twisted-paired wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, or radio waves.
5. Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules that governs data communications. It represents an agreement between the communicating devices. Without a protocol, two devices may be connected but not communicating.
