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Chapter 17

Communication Software and Protocols


17.1 The Need for Communication Software

Advantages of communicating through computer network
Refer to textbook


 Type of communications Example Remarks
 Email Gmail,
Lotus notes
Distinguish advantage of web based mail and  using email client software.

Web based mail: No need to install and  configuration  software (address of email server, username, password

email client software: encryption



 Video conferenceWindows Meeting space Real time streamed video. usually with high compression ratio.
 Internet phoneSkype, net2phone    Much cheaper than distant phone call.
  Instant messagingYahoo messenger, ICQ Instant text message, audio message, video message
 Chat room  
 newsgroup   
 discussion forum  
 mobile messaging appswhatsappmust have a mobile number. 
 social mediafacebook  


Class work / Homework
If part of the file transfer is corrupted, what will be done?
Resend

If part of the streamed video message is corrupted, what will be done?
Will not resend.

Compare Whatsapp and email.
Compare SMS and whatsapp
Suggest one possible application for each type of the communication at school.



17.2 The need for communication Protocols
Communication protocol is a set of digital rules for data exchange.

 TCP/IPTransmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol  A protocol suite using in Internet
 SMTPSimple mail transfer protocol  Transferring e-mail messages to e-mail server
 POPPost Office protocol Retrieving email messages from e-mail server 
 IMAP Internet Message access protocol Retrieving email messages from e-mail server 
 More advance but complex in compare with POP.
 FTP File transfer protocol Upload and download file when using Dreamweaver 
 DNS  Domain Name System 
 DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol  
 HTTP Hypertext transfer protocol  
   
 WAPWireless application protocol Wireless communication for handheld device 
(outdated)
 VoIPVoice over  Internet ProtocolVoice communication over Internet 
 IFPInternet fax protocol  
 SNMPSimple network management protocol  remote logon switch, router
 ARPAddress resolution protocol  using arp command
 ICMP  using ping command 

Refer to http://www.protocols.com/protocols.htm for more information about different protocols

My domain is managed via http://www.enomcentral.com

17.3 Concept of OSI model (Layer by Layer)


Concept of packet switching, message switching, circuit switching.

Circuit switching: a communication channel is established before 2 nodes communicate. 
   (e.g. Traditional telephone line, the channel become idle even if you DO NOT talk after making the call)

Message switching
Each message (e.g. file) is transmitted together.

Packet switching (using in Internet, TCP/IP)
Each message is divided into packets and each packet can use a different route to the destination. It utilities the network more efficiently.

Details of OSI (7 layers model) are not mentioned in Syllabus. 

Concept of layering is important


17.4 TCP/IP (The protocol suites used in Internet)

Transmission Control protocol (TCP) 
The file (message) is divided into packets. The packets are numbered. The TCP layer reassembles the received data packets into a single data file (message)
Error checking, request for resend of loss packet.

Internet Protocol
It handles the actual delivery of data packets (routing)

Refer to P.232-233 of textbook for more details

 Application layers Data / file Software 
 Transport layer Datagram: adding sequence number Software 
 Network layer Packet: add Source/Destination IP Router 
 Data link layer Packet + MAC address Switch 
 Physical layer Transfer physically  


17.5 IP address

IP address v4: 
32 bits, usually written as 4 octet e.g. 192.168.1.1
Each octet: 0000 0000 - 11111111 (0-255)

Network address, 
host address, 
subnet mask: 
default gateway

 class First Octet 
 in binary
First octet in decimal  default subnet mask maximum number of hosts
 A  0XXX XXXX0-127  255.0.0.0 224 - 2 = 
 B  10XX XXXX 128 - 191  255.255.0.0 216 - 2 = 
 C  110X XXXX 192 -223 255.255.255.0 28 - 2 = 254

Our school have 14 usable public IP only.


Public IP, private IP
For a home network, ONE public IP is assigned by ISP. Each public IP is unique in the Internet.
If we have several devices needed to connect to Internet, a router is added. (Router connect a LAN to Internet)
For the computer connects to the LAN ports, it use private IP. (usually 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X)

IPv6 : 128 bits address. MAC address may appear as part of the IPv6 address (latter 64 bits)

Check the owner of an IP address: http://www.ip-lookup.net/

Compare DHCP, fixed IP (Static IP)
Pro and cons of using DHCP over IP
situation of using static IP and dynamic IP


17.6 Domain Names and Domain Name system

Domain name : easy to remember.
Must be translated to an IP address for accessing.

Domain name are resolved from the end.

Top level domain: 
-country code top level domain: e.g. cn, hk, jp, mo
- Generic code top level domain: .com .net .org

The domain of HK are managed by http://www.hkdnr.hk

Six domain name category in HK
 edu.hk educational 
 com.hk commercial
 net.hk  network provider
 idv.hk  individual
 org.hk non profit organization
 gov.hk government


Domain name space
(Image from wikipedia.com)

How Dynamic DNS work.
- run a program in computer or home-router. Inform the DDNS server your IP address and update their record.

Uniform Resource Locator


URL consists of 4 parts:
 Scheme name or Protocol http :// 
 Domain name or IP address eclass.rhs.edu.hk  eclass is the host, rhs.edu.hk is domain 
Port number by default: 80 for http  
 Full path of resource  templates/login_customized.php templates is the folder
login_customized.php is the file name 

Some common port:
25 FTP
22 SSH (Remote access, encrypted)
23 Telnet (not encrypted, remote access)
80 HTTP

17.7 HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Windows Command: tracert, nslookup


Chapter 16 MC Test on Next Tuesday (Nov 8)

Chapter 17 Communication and Protocols                      MC (40 marks)

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