CHAPTER 6

Telecommunications and 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. Compare and contrast the two major types of networks.

2. Describe the wireline communications media and transmission technologies.

3. Describe the most common methods for accessing the Internet.

4. Explain the impacts that networks have had on business and everyday life for each of the six major categories of network applications.

Chapter Opening Case

The problem: Internet traffic

Chapter Opening Case (continued)

Possible solution: Network Neutrality

Opponents Supporters

6.1 What Is a Computer Network?

In a computer network, connected computers:

Work together

Are interdependent

Exchange data with each other

Broadband

Fiber optics

DSLCoaxial cable

Size of Computer Networks

Home computer network

National computer network Global computer network

Local Area Networks

Wide Area Networks

Enterprise Network

6.2 Network Fundamentals

Analog and Digital Signals

Communications Media and Channels

Transmission Technologies

Network Protocols

Types of Network Processing

Analog and Digital Signals

Communications Media and Channels

Twisted-pair wire

Coaxial cable

Fiber optics

Network Protocols

Ethernet

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

The Four Layers of the TCP/IP Protocol

Packet Switching

Types of Network Processing

Client/server computing

Peer-to-peer processing

Types of Peer-to-Peer Processing

First type

Second type

Third type

6.3 The Internet and the World Wide Web

Accessing the Internet

The Future of the Internet

The World Wide Web

Image of the Internet in the United States

An Intranet

Accessing the Internet

Connecting via an online service

Internet kiosks

Dial-up

Accessing the Internet (continued)

DSL

Cable Modem

Satellite

Accessing the Internet (continued)

Wireless

Fiber to the home

Addresses on the Internet

IPv432 bits 128 bits

Addresses on the Internet

Domain names

Top-level domain

Name of the organization

Name of the specific computer

Internet Address example

www.business.auburn.edu

Top level domain: edu

Name of the organization: Auburn University

Name of the specific computer: business

The Future of the Internet

The World Wide Web

The World Wide WebNot the same thing as the Internet

Home page

Uniform resource locator

Leading Browsers

Firefox

Safari

OperaChrome

Internet Explorer

6.4 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

Four Large Search Engines

Metasearch Engines

Publication of Material in Foreign Languages

Portals

Commercial (public) portals

Affinity portals

Mobile portals

Corporate portals

Industrywide portals

Commercial Portal (example)

Affinity Portal (example)

A Corporate Portal Framework

Corporate Portal (example)

Industrywide Portal (example)

Communication

Electronic mail (e-mail)

Web-based call centers (customer call center)

Electronic chat room

Voice

Unified

Electronic Mail

Call Centers

Call Center in the United States

Call Center in India

Electronic Chat Room

Voice Communication

Two examples of Internet telephony (VoIP)

Skype

Vonage

Unified Communications

Collaboration

Work group

Virtual group (team)

Collaboration (continued)

Virtual collaboration

Collaboration software

Electronic Teleconferencing

E-Learning and Distance Learning

Crowdsourcing

Workflow and Groupware Technologies

Software products supporting collaboration

Microsoft Sharepoint

IBM Lotus Quickr

Telepresence Systems

Leading Telepresence Vendors

See video on Cisco Magic

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.

Virtual Universities (example)

Massive Online Open Courses

Telecommuting

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

Chapter Closing Case