Datalink, spelled as /ˈdeɪtəlɪŋk/, is a common term used in the field of telecommunications and information technology. The word is composed of two separate words, 'data' and 'link', each with their own distinct pronunciation. The 'a' in 'data' is pronounced as /eɪ/, while the 'i' in 'link' is pronounced as /ɪ/. When combined, 'data' and 'link' form the single word 'datalink', with the stress on the first syllable. This word is crucial in the transfer of data or information between two devices, systems or networks.
A datalink is a term used in the field of telecommunications and computer networking to refer to a communication channel or medium that enables the transmission of data between two or more devices or nodes. It is responsible for the reliable and efficient transmission of data packets between connected entities in a network.
Datalink protocols or protocols used in the datalink layer are designed to control how data is packaged, transmitted, and received over the datalink. They provide error detection and correction mechanisms, define the format and structure of data frames, manage flow control, and address issues related to synchronization and timing.
The datalink layer is the second layer of the well-known OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, which is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a communication system into seven different layers. It functions as an intermediary between the physical layer below it and the network layer above it.
Datalinks can be implemented using various technologies such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and many others. They serve as vital components in local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and other network setups. Examples of datalink devices include network switches, bridges, and routers, which provide connectivity and ensure efficient data transmission between multiple nodes or networks.
The word "datalink" is a combination of two separate words: "data" and "link".
"Data" refers to information in a form that can be processed, stored, or transmitted by a computer. It comes from the Latin word "datum", which means "something given".
"Link" refers to a physical or virtual connection between two points, allowing information to travel from one point to another. It is derived from the Old English word "hlencan", meaning "to join" or "to connect".
Therefore, "datalink" is a term coined to describe the connection or link through which data is transmitted or communicated between different devices or systems.