After completing this course, the student should be able to:
 

	Define technical data communication terms and concepts
	Explain the process of data transmission
	Identify hardware and software components of a data communication system

Data Communication
Defines a data communication system.  Gives an overview of its functions.  Discusses the complexity of transmitting data error-free.
 

Overview:  Definition of a data communication system.  What makes data communication complex.

Data Storage and Transmission
Introduces the processes by which a computer stores data and carries data to a telephone line for transmission.
 

	Storage:  How a computer stores data.
	Transmission Facility:  How a computer carries data to a transmission facility.  Various types of modulation.
	Speeds and Connections:  The characteristics of a telephone line.  Various telephone line connections.
	Transmission Errors:  The types of error that can occur in a data communication system.

Error-Checking
Discusses asynchronous and synchronous communication and the procedures a data communication system uses to ensure error-free transmission.  Explains the line protocol that governs the way a data communication system transmits.
 

	Asynchronous and Synchronous Communication:  How to distinguish asynchronous from synchronous communication.  Restatement of the procedures a data communication system uses to ensure error-free data.
	Line Protocol:  The functions of line protocol.

Hardware Components
Deals with the hardware components of a data communication system that make the system run.
 

	Cabling:  Identification of the cables that link a data communication system.
	Terminal Site:  The hardware components at a terminal site.  The functions of those components.
	Host Site:  The hardware components at the host site.  The functions of those components.
	Multiplexer:  The functions of a multiplexer.
	Shortcuts and Transmission Aids:  Transmission-associated hardware.  The functions of those components.

Systems Network Architecture
Discusses IBM's standard, Systems Network Architecture (SNA).  SNA represents IBM's attempt to categorize all aspects of data communication in terms of six well-defined layers.
 

The IBM Standard:  Identifies the six layers of Systems Network Architecture.

Software Components
Discusses various software components in typical data communication networks within the IBM environment.
 

IBM Environment:  Various software components in data communication networks within the IBM environment.