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Unit 6: Business Networks and Telecommunications

technical expertise to maintain a network commonly use them. Even small companies can enjoy Notes
the benefits of data communications by using VANs and leaving the technical details to the
vendors. VANs permit companies to use part of a network instead of paying a large fixed cost
for their own under-utilized network. VANs also provide for easier expansion because they are
set up to use their capacity efficiently and to bring in new capacity if required.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
11. A ............................... is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common
communications line or wireless link and share the resources of a single processor within
a small geographic area.
12. ............................... is a network that interconnects users with computer resources in a
geographical area larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but
smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN).
13. WAN provides communication over long distances, covering a large geographical area
and are also called ............................... networks.
14. A ............................... is a private network provider that is hired by a company to facilitate
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or provide other network services.
6.6 Protocols

Protocol is the special set of rules that end points in a telecommunication connection use when
they communicate. Protocols exist at several levels in a telecommunication connection.

6.6.1 Classification of Protocols

Various types of protocols used in computer networks are:

1. TCP/IP
2. HTTP
3. FTP
4. UDP
5. IRP

6. ICMP
7. IGMP
8. SMTP

TCP/IP

TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. It was developed with the
objective to specify a suite of protocols capable of providing transparent communications
interoperability services between computers of all sizes, regardless of the hardware or operating
system platforms supporting them. Over the years, TCP/IP has become the most widespread of
today’s protocols. One reason for TCP/IP’s popularity is the public availability of its protocols’
specifications. In this sense, TCP/IP can justifiably be considered an open system. Most users rely
on TCP/IP for the purpose of file transfers, electronic mail (e-mail), and remote login services.

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