This course provides an introduction to business data communications including wide-area networks, local-area networks, protocols and network survivability. Transmission, media, signal encoding, link control and multiplexing are discussed. Network topologies, switching, and protocol fundamentals are presented and compared using the OSI model. Interconnectivity issues are discussed including circuit and packet switching, X.25, frame relay, and ATM. Integration of computer assets using LAN is covered. Internet-working and transport protocols (TCP/IP) are also examined.