This book introduces the fundamental concepts of electronic communications systems data communications and networks topics covered include wireless and wireline telecommunications systems basic data communications networks and systems local area networks internetworks and the internet including the tcp ip protocol suite. Data communications refers to the transmission of this digital data between two or more computers and a computer network or data network is a telecommunications network that allows computers to exchange data the physical connection between networked computing devices is established using either cable media or wireless media. Chapter 21 introduction to data communications and networking definitions terms 1 information that is stored in digital form information that has been processed organized and stored data 2 knowledge or intelligence information 3 the transmission reception and processing of digital information data communications 4 it is to transfer digital information from one place to another . Written to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of electronic communications systems data systems and networks this text provides extensive coverage of a wide range of data communications and networking issues while offering preliminary information on basic electronic communications and telecommunications systems