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

	Understand data communication terms and concepts
	Identify components of a data communication system
	Trace the path of a transaction within a data communication system

A Data Communication System
Defines a data communication system.  Gives an overview of its components, and describes the path a transaction takes in the system.
 

Introduction:  Description of a data communication system.  Components of a data communication system.

The Remote Site
Discusses the terminal and the controller at the remote site.  Explains how they operate in a data communication system.
 

	The Terminal:  Identification of the functions of a terminal.
	The Controller:  Identification of the functions of a controller.  Definition of buffering.  Cyclical Redundancy Checking.

The Connection
Describes the modem and telephone line that link a terminal to its host computer.
 

	The Modem:  The functions of a modem.  How to distinguish bits from bytes.  Explanation of modulation and demodulation.
	The Telephone Line:  Dial-up and leased telephone line connections.

The Host Site
Discusses the front-end processor and the host computer at the host site.  Explains how they operate in a data communication system.
 

	The Front-end Processor:  The functions of a front-end processor.  The functions of a line protocol.  Definition of polling.
	The Host Computer:  Identification of the functions of a host computer.  Description of a TP monitor.  Identification of the functions of an application program.

The Big Picture
Follows a transaction to see how it is processed in a data communication system.  Poses questions which relate to each stage of the process.
 

Practice:  Entering a transaction.  Seeing how a transaction is processed.