1. COMP1321 Digital Infrastructure
Richard Henson
University of Worcester
December 2018

2. Week 10: Windows Networks
Explain Windows boot up sequence
Explain logging on locally and logging on to a network
Explain the fundamental differences between client-server and peer-peer networks
Explain the system of network device naming/addressing within networks and on yjr Internet

3. History of Digital Data Management
Historically:
digital data held on massive very expensive mainframe systems in secure “Data Centres”
only accessed by skilled professionals
true until late 1980s
How that has changed… (!)
driven by the “end user computing” revolution: 1990 recession

4. Traditional “networks”
For Organisational infrastructures…
everything centralised
data originally shared on screen only, via dumb terminals
only authorised personnel had access
everything was “read only”

5. DOS… and Windows New in late 1980s… laptops Data only stored “locally”
employees could carry digital data outside organisations
would improve productivity (?)
no real acknowledgement of the danger to data
or of the Data Protection Act (1984)…
Data only stored “locally”

6. “Out of Control?” PC Networks became possible…
PC could connect to central resource
data not just viewable but now downloadable
sales staff, etc. could connect to upload data to laptops or download data from laptops
Beginning of principle of the Intranet…
Company digital data
Customer Personal data
within Data Protection Law!
how ensured???

7. Organisations Out of Control?
Large organisations became more reliant on Intranet
BUT employees still had to come back to base to get updates on “live” data
Remote access to the Intranet via login and telephone line allowed them to keep up-to-date without returning to base
improved productivity!!!
principle of the Extranet
BUT what about data security?

8. Portable Storage Company data stored on laptop hard disk
transfer between PCs using floppy disk (max 2 Mb)
invention of the CD… 700 Mb
HUGE increase in data available outside organisational networks
Further productivity increase…

9. Connecting a PC to the Internet
Big software breakthroughs…
PCs with Windows Operating System “share” data within a peer-peer network
TCP/IP (Internet protocol) developed for Windows
Consequence…
company/personal data could go anywhere!

10. Peer-Peer Networks v Client-Server networks
Central server or all connect as equals…
workstation
server
Collectively
a domain
workstation
workstation
clients
workstation

11. Why “domain”?
Microsoft designed their client-server networks to fit into the Internet
Internet addresses (IP addresses) managed using DNS (Domain Name System)
Domain name… Internet server & nodes
Domain…. Microsoft server & nodes

12. The www (circa 1996)
Gateways to Internet available through public phone networks
just need a modem
Data could be sent directly using easy-to-use www interface
no worries about interception if data sent encrypted…
Further cost cutting…

13. Digital Phone Lines Final stage to the digital infrastructure (ADSL) …
no modems needed
data transfer rates greatly improved
Internet protocols could be used throughout
In terms of physical connections, one massive global network….

14. Booting up: basics, local… or to a network?

15. Why use a Network?
Advantages of joining computers, and advantages of keeping them “standalone”
Quick exercise in Groups…

16. Management of Digital Resources
Traditional model:
resources completely centralised
Intranet/Extranet/Internet model:
resources can be used anywhere
expected that they will be used responsibly
Issue of protection…
how important to the organisation are its digital resources?

17. A Policy for use of Digital Resources
Until recently…
overlooked my many organisations
Problem:
digital resources not physical…
organisations are based on physical assets and their management
networks seen as servers, routers, cables, and staff to maintain them

18. Who has access to what? Not just an organisation problem any more…
Until fairly recently
personal data kept in locked filing cabinet
person with access had key to cabinet…
Nowadays on a database…
connected to network…
connected to the Internet

19. Availability of Data People can’t do their jobs without the right:
Information
Tools to manipulate and store information
Achieved through “Users” and “Groups of Users”
what about a temp?
or a student on placement?

20. Restriction of Access Locally
Only one person (network manager)…
provides access
restricts access
All information resources need to be assessed in terms of who should have access
e.g. salaries database
accessible to all? HR? managers?

21. Monitoring Users
Networking software provides many automated functions to watch users
can provide accountability
Need to be read by someone
Network Manager busy
audit trails have to be scrutinised
Breaches of security often missed…
sometimes for years!

22. Restriction of Access on the Internet?
Not designed that way…
if someone irresponsible gets access to a salaries database…
could provide global access in seconds!
If personal data gets onto the Internet who is responsible in law…?
the organisation itself!!!
o far, the Information Commissioner has been lenient. Too lenient? Changing with GDPR

23. Attitudes to Privacy of Data
Seems to be a generational thing
“Generation Y” (under 40) or Generation Z “digital natives“ (under 30) often comfortable with information being “out there”
Z more savvy thanY, on average
“My generation” (40-65) a little more suspicious
see advantages & disadvantages?
Many 65+ want to use the Internet as little as possible for financial metters and would prefer not to have their personal data available at all…

24. Staffing and Information Management in the Organisation
IT infrastructure : network manager
Data: finance manager
People’s use of data: HR manager
Overall responsibility?
who should be responsible?

25. Salaries and Digital Architecture
Figures taken from
Network Manager: £50000
Network Security Manager: £55000
Network Infrastructure Manager: £57500
Information Architecture: £55000
Chief Information Officer: £80000

26. Digital Architecture and Small Organisations
Most organisations have networks
Small organisations with <10 staff can’t usually afford a specific network manager
expected to combine function with information security officer, information architecture, etc…
usually report to the finance manager (or the two roles may be combined…

27. Digital Architecture, Outsourcing, & The Cloud
Temptation for small organisation…
let someone else look after digital information?
Very complex & difficult question
may save money (and even staff…)
BUT organisation sacrifices control (and may need to change their infrastructure)

28. Mobile Digital Infrastructure
As if the job wasn’t already hard enough…
now people save company data on their smartphones
accepted in many companies because it “increases productivity
where did you hear that before?
Productivity gains need to be seen in a broader perspective…
without proper management of information there can be no organisation…

29. The World in 2020? Yet more (and bigger) networks More cloud services
More digital IoT devices
“Personal” robots, etc.
Driverless cars?
More virtual (i.e. digital) reality?
How will devices communicate?