CHAPTER 6

Networks

CHAPTER OUTLINE

6.1 What Is a Computer Network? 6.2 Network Fundamentals 6.3 The Internet and the World Wide Web 6.4 Network Applications

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Define the term computer network, and compare and contrast the two major types of networks.2. Describe the differences among the three types of wireline communications media, and discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of each type.3. Differentiate between the Internet and the World Wide Web, and describe the most common methods for accessing the Internet.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

4. Identify six major categories of network applications, provide an example of each, and explain how that application supports business functions.

6.1 What Is a Computer Network?

In a computer network, connected computers:

• Work together

• Are interdependent

• Exchange data with each other

Size of Computer Networks

• Local Area Networks

• Wide Area Networks

• Enterprise Networks

6.2 Network Fundamentals

Network Fundamentals

•Analog and Digital Signals

•Communications Media and Channels

•Transmission Technologies

•Network Protocols

•Types of Network Processing

Types of Network Processing

•Client/server computing

•Peer-to-peer processing

6.3 The Internet and the World Wide Web

Accessing the Internet

•Connecting via an online service

•Internet kiosks

•Dial-up

•DSL

Accessing the Internet

•Cable Modem

•Satellite

•Wireless

•Fiber to the Home

Addresses on the Internet

Domain names

Top-level domainName of the organizationName of the specific computer

6.4 Network Applications

Data Warehousing

Data warehouses and Data Marts Organized by business dimension or

subject. Multidimensional. Historical. Use online analytical processing.

Benefits of Data Warehousing

•End users can access data quickly and easily via Web browsers because they are located in one place.•End users can conduct extensive analysis with data in ways that may not have been possible before.•End users have a consolidated view of organizational data.

Data Marts

• A data mart is a small data warehouse, designed for the end-user needs in a strategic business unit (SBU) or a department.

5.5 Knowledge Management

Network Applications

•Discovery•Communication•Collaboration•E-Learning and Distance Learning•Virtual Universities•Telecommuting

Discovery

• Search engines

• Metasearch engines

• Discovery of material in foreign languages

• Portals

Portals

• Commercial (public) portals

• Affinity portals

• Mobile portals

• Corporate portals

• Industry wide portals

Communication

• Electronic mail (e-mail)

• Web-based call centers (customer call

center)

• Electronic chat room

• Voice

• Unified

Collaboration

•Work Groups

•Virtual collaboration

•Collaboration software

•Electronic Teleconferencing

•E-Learning and Distance Learning

E-Learning and Distance Learning

E-Learning

Distance learning

Benefits of E-Learning

• Self-paced learning increases content retention.

• Online materials deliver high-quality, current content.

• Students have the flexibility of learning from any place at any time at their own pace.

• Learning time generally is shorter, and more people can be trained due to faster training time.

• Training costs can be reduced.

Drawbacks of E-Learning

• Instructors may need training to be able to teach electronically.

• The purchase of additional multimedia equipment may be necessary.

• Students must be computer literate and may miss the face-to-face interaction with instructors.

• There are issues with assessing students’ work, as instructors really do not know who completed assignments.

Telecommuting Benefits

• For Employees– Reduced stress, improved family life– Employment opportunities for single parents

and persons with disabilities

• For Employers– Increased productivity– Ability to retain skilled employees

Telecommuting Disadvantages

• For Employees– Feelings of isolation– No workplace visibility– Potential for slower promotions

• For Employers– Difficulties in supervising work– Potential information security problems– Additional training costs

Closing Case

• The Problem

• The Solution

• The Results