GNVQ Advanced IT - Unit 4

Element 4.2: Use electronic communication to transfer data

1. prepare and connect hardware for electronic data transfer
2. access software for electronic data transfer
3. configure controls and protocols to match a remote station (laplink)
4. undertake data file transfer
5. undertake interactive electronic data communication
6. maintain a communications activities log

Hardware
 data terminal equipment (DTE), data circuit terminating equipment (DCTE), wide area network, connecting cables

Software:
operating system, communication software

Controls:
binary transfer, modem commands, terminal preferences, terminal emulation

Protocols:
data bits, parity, baud rate, flow control, stop bits, connection port, carrier detect
 
Data file transfer:
data file identified, destination selected, communication link established, data file transfer undertaken, communication link closed

 Interactive electronic data communication
destination selected, communication link established, interaction (send, receive)

Communications activity log:
 date of communication, time taken on line, amount of data transferred, names of files, destination (name, location)

• prepared and connected hardware and accessed software for electronic data transfer
• configured controls and protocols
• undertaken data file transfer and interactive communication, covering the range

Terminal preferences  (PC3 range) setting the attributes such as echo, carriage return line feed

Carrier detect (PC3 range) set to avoid loss of connection, by enabling a modem to sense the carrier and maintain connection

Interactive electronic data communication (PC5) this is used when two operators wish to 'talk' to one another via the keyboard.  It involves linking up two computers directly using a null modem or a public WAN.

Destination selected (PC4 and PC5 range) this may be completed in a variety of ways.  For the the transmission and receipt of data files, the communications software may be set to enable automatic connection to the destination, selection from a menu, or use of a function key.  When undertaking interactive communication this is more likely to be via a telephone network connection to another user, requiring a telephone number, or could be completed by connecting a null modem between two data terminals.

Communications activities log (PC6) an automatic log facility is often available in communications software.  Such a log is essential when students are using public wide area networks because of the possible costs involved.