BTEC 2012

Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

Data Exchange 2
Starter Explain the different between simplex, half duplex and duplex communications

Full-Duplex allows for communication in either direction at any time. An example is HTTP Pipelining.

Half-Duplex allows for communication in one direction at one time then can switch to the opposite
direction. An example is the POP3 Protocol (as well as FTP, NNTP, SMTP).

Simplex allows for communication in one direction only and doesn't allow switching directions. This is
sometimes specificed programmatically as Simplex Server or Simplex Client.
1. Explain what serial and parallel transmissions are.

Serial:
Some things are transmitted one at a
time over a channel/wire. This reduces
the cost; however it is a slow rate of
data transfer. This can be used over
large distances.

Parallel:
A number of bits of data transmitted
over an equal number of
wires/channels. For example,
connecting printers.
Its used due to cost and limited range
of 5 meters.

2. What is bi-directional transmission?

Bi-directional transmission is date transmitting in both directions. Fibre optics whereby the light passes in one
direction only, so you have too add fibres to the bundle to carry a signal in the opposite direction.
Client side processing is the use of a scripting language to create code on web pages which provide
interactivity. An example of this is a rollover action; this is where some code is triggered when your
mouse is moved over a particular part of the web page.
3. What are the benefits of client side processing?
A benefit is that includes speed and security.
4. What are the disadvantages of client side processing?
Browser specific and the speed of the computer.

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

Server-side processing involves the use of scripts which reside and are run on another computer on the internet
(the web server). Information is submitted to a server which processes it to provide results in the form of a web
page. A good example of server-side processing is the submission of a search through a search engine. The
search engine matches the word or phrase against an index of website content on the web server using scripts
5. What are the benefits of server side processing?
Efficiency, browser independent and speed.
6. What are the disadvantages of server side processing?
Security and overloading.
7. Explain what USB is and what it is commonly used for.

USB is a serial transmission method and is used in a variety of devices such as

smartphones, computers, memory sticks and MP3 players
Plenary Explain the differences between client and server side processing.
A client side processing is a scripting language to create code that provides interactivity on
web pages.
Server side processing, involves the use of scripts that are run on another computer on the
internet.