Basic concepts 

Before examining the  specifics of how data are transmitted from one device to another, it is important to understand the relationship between the communicating devices.

Five general concepts provide the basis for this relationship

Line configuration

Topology

Transmission of mode

Categories of networks

Internetworks

 Line  configuration

    Line configuration refers to the way or more communication devices attach to  a link. A link is the physical communication pathway that transfers data from one device to another to another. For the purposes of visualization to occur. Two devices must be connected in some way to the same link at the same time. There are two possible line configuration point to point and multipoint

LINE CONFIGURATION DEFINES THE ATTACHMENT OF COMMUNICATION DEVICES TO A LINK.

 Point to point

A point to point configuration  a dedicated link between two devices. The entire capacity of the chance is reserved for transmission between those two devices most point to point  line configuration use an actual length or wire or cable to connect the two  ends, but other options such as microwave or satellite links are also possible.

When you change television channels by infrared and  remote control, you are establishing point to point line configuration between the remote control and the television’s control system.

 A multipoint (also called multi-drop) line configuration is one in  which more than two specific devices  shares a single link

In a multipoint environment the capacity of the channel is shared, either spatially or temporally. If several devices can use the link simultaneously. It is a spatially shared line configuration.

If users must take turns, it  is a time – shared line configuration.