How is data transmitted and converted between two computers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms of data transmission and conversion between two computers, exploring various methods and technical layers involved in the process. Participants address both theoretical and practical aspects of data transfer, including different transmission media and protocols.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that data is fundamentally broken down into binary (1s and 0s) and processed by the CPU, motherboard, and RAM, before being stored on a hard drive.
  • Others argue that the process is more complex, involving the OSI model with seven layers, each responsible for different tasks, such as encapsulation and reliable packet delivery.
  • A participant mentions various transmission options, including email, direct cable connections, network connections, and Bluetooth, suggesting that all these methods utilize binary data derived from electrical currents.
  • Another participant elaborates on the physical layer of transmission, discussing different media such as copper wires, optical fibers, infrared light, and radio waves, and how signals can be either digital or analog.
  • There is a discussion about the application layer and the various communication protocols that govern how data is exchanged between computers, including FTP and email.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the simplicity of data transmission, with some emphasizing a straightforward binary breakdown and others highlighting the complexity of the OSI model and various transmission methods. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best way to explain these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the OSI model and various transmission media, indicating a need for clarity on the distinctions between physical and application layers, as well as the implications of using different protocols and media for data transmission.

chem_tr
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Greetings,

I was asked a weird question, K12 level, but interesting...

How is the data transferred through two computers, and how (and what) is it converted to the data again? Please send me some resources about it, or suggest your own ideas. I didn't like mine, so decided to ask in the forum.

chem_tr
 
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chem_tr said:
Greetings,

I was asked a weird question, K12 level, but interesting...

How is the data transferred through two computers, and how (and what) is it converted to the data again? Please send me some resources about it, or suggest your own ideas. I didn't like mine, so decided to ask in the forum.

chem_tr
simple, data is broken down into 1s and 0s, the data is compiled by the cpu/motherboard/ram combo, and then stored on the HDD as the compiled file, and vise versa
 
Thank you for your reply.

Another question comes now, what kind of transmittance options are possible between two computers? I know that there are several ways to do it, for example, e-mail messaging, direct cable connection, network connection, and so on. I've also told that a relatively new kind of transmittance involves the use of IR waves, better known as bluetooth, if I'm not wrong.

Let's look into these types of transmissions. I am nearly sure all of these use the system you mentiones, that is, 1s and 0s compiled or decompiled, and of course derived from electrical currents or amperes, etc.
 
simple, data is broken down into 1s and 0s, the data is compiled by the cpu/motherboard/ram combo, and then stored on the HDD as the compiled file, and vise versa

Its not as simple as that IMHO

Within Networking we look at the OSI model... which is comprised of 7 layers:
Application
Presentation
Session
Transport
Network
Data Link
Physical

The information presented by the application layer is encapsulated at each layer with more and more header information. Each layer is responsable for different jobs, (for example transport managers network layer connections, and provides relieable packet delivery)

So the end result is a stream of differeing voltages on the wire in the form of frames, frames are a defined size and bits in the frames represent different checksums addressing info and where the data portion will be...

To port this over to Bluetooth or any other protocol for that matter you need to change the physical layer behaviour...

this is the power behind using hierarcial designs for systems...

http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/OSI_Layers.asp

All this is done even before the data has hit the main cpu, by the network card.

You would say a file would reside above the appilication layer, and a transfer protcol like FTP would reside at the application layer...
 
Last edited:
Thank you both for your interest. The second one was a such detailed and comprehensive answer. The first is also okay, I think it is enough for him to understand the basics involved here. I'll inform the person asked this question with the information you two gave.

Take care
 
Anttech said:
Its not as simple as that IMHO
LOL, I really didn't feel like spending more than 2 minutes on a post, because I posted that at school. :shy:
 
chem_tr said:
Another question comes now, what kind of transmittance options are possible between two computers? I know that there are several ways to do it, for example, e-mail messaging, direct cable connection, network connection, and so on. I've also told that a relatively new kind of transmittance involves the use of IR waves, better known as bluetooth, if I'm not wrong.

Let's look into these types of transmissions. I am nearly sure all of these use the system you mentiones, that is, 1s and 0s compiled or decompiled, and of course derived from electrical currents or amperes, etc.
Are you referring to the transmission media (physical layer) or to application programs (application layer)?
Let's sort it out. In the physical layer we have various transmission media: Copper wires (like coaxial cables or coax, unshielded twisted pair or UTP, shielded twisted pair, etc.), optical fibers, infrared light, radio waves (combined with satellites), microwaves (also used in cellular phones), and even beams of visible light. The signals in these media could be either digital (1s and 0s) or analogue (continuous waveforms) that can be translated to digital.
Regarding the data layer (framing) you could connect to a Local Area Network (Ethernet, FDDI, ATM, Token Ring, etc), a Metropolitan Area Network, or to a Wide Area Network/WAN. The Internet is a combination of these networks.
As regards to the application layer, there can be various protocols of communication, that is, how two computers agree on the meaning of the data being exchanged (including e-mail, IRC, File Transfer Protocol, and so on).
 

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