Data transmission

Packet header Payload Trailer

Destination IP address Sender’s IP address Packet number

• Data is broken into packets and given a sequence number • Each packet will take a different route to the next depending on the quickest route • The router controls the route that the packet takes • When packets arrive, they are reordered based on their packet number

Data bits are sent one at a time down one cable at high speeds

USB

Lower transmission speeds

Lower interference More reliable over long distances Smaller, cheaper connections to produce

Backwards compatible Cannot be inserted upside down Do not need an additional power source ~ 5V power Industry standard

Only supports cable lengths of 5m Slower data transfer speeds Limitations of backwards-compatability

Several bits of data sent simultaneously across several wires

Printer cables or internal device connections

Data corruption commonly occurs over long distances Skewing Can only be used for short distances

When data bits travel parallel to each other can move at different speeds causing them to arrive out of sync

Very fast data transfer Can send data in both directions at the same time

Data travels only in one direction down a single cable

Sending data from the computer to a monitor as it never needs to go the other way

Data can travel in both directions along a single cable, but not simultaneously

Printer parallel cables Text is sent to a printer, and the printer can send ‘Out of paper’ messages back; but only when the computer has finished sending text

Data can travel in both directions simultaneously using two communication channels

Networking or Internet cables to transmit and receive at the same time