Fundamentals of Information Systems Fourth Edition Chapter 4 Telecommunications, the Internet, Intranets, and Extranets

Principles and Learning Objectives The effective use of communications technology is essential to organizational success by enabling more people to send and receive all forms of information over greater distances at faster and faster rates Define the term telecommunications and describe the components of a telecommunications system including media and hardware devices Identify several network types and the uses and limitations of each Define the term communications protocol and identify several common ones Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Principles and Learning Objectives (continued) The Internet and the Web provide a wide range of services, some of which are effective and practical for use today, others that are still evolving, and still others that will fade away from lack of use Briefly describe how the Internet works, including alternatives for connecting to it and the role of Internet service providers Describe how the World Wide Web works and the use of Web browsers, search engines, and other Web tools Identify programming languages and tools used to create Web content Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Principles and Learning Objectives (continued) Because the Internet and the World Wide Web are becoming more universally used and accepted for business use, management, service and speed, privacy, and security issues must continually be addressed and resolved Identify and briefly describe several applications associated with the Internet and the Web Define the terms intranet and extranet and discuss how organizations are using them Identify several issues associated with the use of networks Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Why Learn About Telecommunications, the Internet, Intranets and Extranets? Need to access data wherever it resides Fast, reliable communications Exchange messages Upload/download data and software Route business transactions Connect to remote databases Send output to printers Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Why Learn About Telecommunications and Networks? Need to access data wherever it resides Fast, reliable communications Exchange messages Upload/download data and software Route business transactions Connect to remote databases Send output to printers Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

An Overview of Telecommunications Telecommunications: the electronic transmission of signals for communications Telecommunications medium: anything that carries an electronic signal and interfaces between a sending device and a receiving device Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

An Overview of Telecommunications (continued) Figure 4.1: Elements of a Telecommunications System Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Channel Bandwidth Telecommunications professionals consider the capacity of the communications path or channel when they recommend transmission media for a business Channel bandwidth: the rate at which data is exchanged over a communication channel Usually measured in bits per second (bps) Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Table 4.1: Guided Transmission Media Types Communications Media Table 4.1: Guided Transmission Media Types Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Communications Media (continued) Table 4.2: Wireless Technologies Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Telecommunications Hardware Table 4.3: Common Telecommunications Devices Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Services Digital subscriber line (DSL): telecommunications service that delivers high-speed Internet access to homes and small businesses over the existing phone lines of the local telephone network All major long distance carriers offer wireless telecommunications services that enable you to place phone calls or access the Internet Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Networks and Distributed Processing Computer network: the communications media, devices, and software needed to connect two or more computer systems and/or devices Network nodes: the computers and devices on the networks Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Network Types Personal area network (PAN) Local area network (LAN) Metropolitan area network (MAN) Wide area network (WAN) International networks Mesh networking Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Network Types (continued) Figure 4.4: A Typical LAN Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Network Types (continued) Figure 4.5: A Wide Area Network Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Distributed Processing Centralized processing: all processing occurs in a single location or facility Decentralized processing: processing devices are placed at various remote locations Distributed processing: computers are placed at remote locations but connected to each other via a network Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Client/Server Systems Client/Server system: multiple computer platforms are dedicated to special functions, such as database management, printing, communications, and program execution Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Client/Server Systems (continued) Figure 4.8: Client/Server Connection Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Communications Software and Protocols Communications protocol: a set of rules that govern the exchange of information over a communications channel Protocols govern several levels of a telecommunications network, such as: Hardware device level Application program level Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Communications Software and Protocols (continued) Table 4.4: Common Telecommunications Protocols Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Wireless Communications Protocols Wireless communications protocols are still evolving as the industry matures The Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has been instrumental in defining numerous telecommunications standards Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Wireless Communications Protocols (continued) Table 4.5: Wireless Networks Based on IEEE 802.xx Standards Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Communications Software Network operating system (NOS): systems software that controls the computer systems and devices on a network and allows them to communicate with each other Network-management software: software that a manager uses on a networked desktop Monitors the use of individual computers and shared hardware (such as printers) Scans for viruses Ensures compliance with software licenses Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Use and Functioning of the Internet Internet: a collection of interconnected networks, all freely exchanging information ARPANET The ancestor of the Internet A project started by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in 1969 Internet Protocol (IP): communication standard that enables traffic to be routed from one network to another as needed Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

How the Internet Works The Internet transmits data from one computer (called a host) to another If the receiving computer is on a network to which the first computer is directly connected, it can send the message directly If the receiving computer is not on a network to which the sending computer is connected, the sending computer relays the message to another computer that can forward it Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

How the Internet Works (continued) Data is passed in chunks called packets Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): widely used transport-layer protocol that is used in combination with IP by most Internet applications Uniform Resource Locator (URL): an assigned address on the Internet for each computer Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

How the Internet Works (continued) Accessing the Internet Connect via LAN server Connect via Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP)/Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) Connect via an online service Several other ways to connect Example: WAP Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

How the Internet Works (continued) Figure 4.11: Routing Messages over the Internet Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

How the Internet Works (continued) Figure 4.12: Several Ways to Access the Internet Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Internet Service Providers Internet service provider (ISP): any company that provides individuals or organizations with access to the Internet Most charge a monthly fee Many ISPs and online services offer broadband Internet access through digital subscriber lines (DSLs), cable, or satellite transmission Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Internet Service Providers (continued) Table 4.7: A Representative List of Internet Service Providers Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

The World Wide Web The Web, WWW, or W3 A menu-based system that uses the client/server model Organizes Internet resources throughout the world into a series of menu pages, or screens, that appear on your computer Hypermedia: tools that connect the data on Web pages, allowing users to access topics in whatever order they want Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

The World Wide Web (continued) Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): the standard page description language for Web pages HTML tags: codes that let the Web browser know how to format text - as a heading, as a list, or as body text - and whether images, sound, and other elements should be inserted Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

The World Wide Web (continued) Figure 4.13: Sample Hypertext Markup Language Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Web Browsers Web browser: software that creates a unique, hypermedia-based menu on a computer screen, providing a graphical interface to the Web The menu consists of graphics, titles, and text with hypertext links Popular Web browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Computer’s Safari Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Search Engines and Web Research Search engine: Web search tool Examples: Yahoo.com, Google.com Most search engines are free Searches can use words, such as AND and OR to refine the search Meta-search engine: submits keywords to several individual search engines and returns results from all these search engines Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Search Engines and Web Research (continued) Table 4.10 Popular Search Engines Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Web Programming Languages Java An object-oriented programming language from Sun Microsystems based on C++ Allows small programs (applets) to be embedded within an HTML document Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Developing Web Content Products that greatly simplify the creation of a Web page Example: .NET platform Other Web publishing packages include Bubbler, Homestead QuickSites, and JobSpot Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Web Services Standards and tools that streamline and simplify communication among Web sites for business and personal purposes Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Internet and Web Applications: E-Mail, Instant Messaging, and Push Technology E-mail is no longer limited to simple text messages Sound and images can be embedded in messages Files that contain text documents, spreadsheets, graphs, or executable programs can be attached Instant messaging: allows two or more individuals to communicate online using the Internet Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Internet Cell Phones and Handheld Computers Some cell phones can be connected to the Internet to: Search for information Buy products Chat with business associates and friends Handheld computers and other devices can be connected to the Internet using phone lines or wireless connections, such as Wi-Fi Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Career Information and Job Searching Internet is an excellent source of job-related information Most medium and large companies have Internet sites that list open positions, salaries, benefits, and people to contact for further information Some sites can help you develop a good résumé and an effective cover letter, apply for jobs online, prepare for a job interview, and negotiate a good employment contract Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Web Log (Blog), Video Log (Vlog), and Podcasting Web log (blog): Web site that people can create and use to write about their observations, experiences, and feelings on a wide range of topics Video log (vlog): video content placed on the Internet using the same overall approach as a blog Podcast: audio blog, like a personal radio station on the Internet Extends blogging by adding audio messages Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Chat Rooms Chat room: facility that enables two or more people to engage in interactive “conversations” over the Internet Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Internet Phone and Videoconferencing Services Internet phone service enables you to communicate with others around the world Relatively inexpensive Useful for international calls Ability to keep your phone number when you move to another location Internet videoconferencing Supports both voice and visual communications Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Content Streaming Content streaming: a method for transferring multimedia files over the Internet so that the data stream of voice and pictures plays more or less continuously without a break, or with very few breaks Enables users to browse large files in real time Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Shopping on the Web Shopping on the Web for books, clothes, cars, medications, and even medical advice can be convenient, easy, and cost effective Bot: software tool that searches the Web for information, products, or prices Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Web Auctions Web auction: Internet site that matches buyers and sellers eBay is one of the most popular auction sites Traditional companies are starting their own auction sites Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Music, Radio, Video, and TV on the Internet Music, radio, and video are hot growth areas on the Internet Audio and video programs can be played on the Internet, or files can be downloaded for later use Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Office on the Web Many services and software products give you remote access to your files and programs over the Internet Examples: Avvenu, EasyReach, BeInSync Companies that offer remote access include MyWebEx PC Pro, Citrix Online, and Laplink Works best with broadband Internet access Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Other Internet Services and Applications Internet services are constantly emerging Libraries Critical information during times of disaster or terrorism Critical medical information Translation Distance learning Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Intranets and Extranets Internal corporate network built using Internet and World Wide Web standards and products Used by employees to gain access to corporate information Reduces need for paper Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Intranets and Extranets (continued) A network based on Web technologies that links selected resources of a company’s intranet with its customers, suppliers, or other business partners Virtual private network (VPN): secure connection between two points across the Internet Tunneling: process by which VPNs transfer information by encapsulating traffic in IP packets over the Internet Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Net Issues Management issues Service and speed issues No centralized governing body controls the Internet Service and speed issues Web server computers can be overwhelmed by the amount of “hits” (requests for pages) Privacy, fraud, security, and unauthorized Internet sites Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Summary Telecommunications: electronic transmission of signals for communications Computer network: communications media, devices, and software needed to connect two or more computer systems or devices Network types: personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), and international networks Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Summary (continued) Internet: collection of interconnected networks, all freely exchanging information Internet Protocol (IP): communication standard that enables traffic to be routed from one network to another as needed Uniform Resource Locator (URL): an assigned address on the Internet for each computer Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

Summary (continued) Intranet: internal corporate network built using Internet and World Wide Web standards and protocols Extranet: network based on Web technologies that links selected resources of a company’s intranet with its customers, suppliers, or other business partners Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition