CHAPTER 6
Networks
What Is a Computer Network?
In a computer network, connected computers:
1. Work together
2. Are interdependent
3. Exchange data with each other
© Ilin Sergey/Age Fotostock America, Inc.
Computer at organizations do not work in isolation.
Size of Computer Networks
Home computer network
National computer network
Global computer network
INTERNET
Types of NetworksLocal Area Network
Wide Area Network
Network Fundamentals - Outline
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
Sources: deepspacedave/Shutterst ock, GIPhotoStock/Photo Researchers, Inc, Philip Hatson/Photo Researchers
Transmission Technologies
Digital subscriber line (DSL) Synchronous optical network (SONET) T-carrier system
How messages are sent: Network Protocols
Most companies use Ethernet in their LAN
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Message Transmission: Packet Switching
Internet and World Wide Web - Outline
Organizational use (Intranet vs. Extranet) Intranet – internal to the organization Extranet – external and internal network
Accessing the Internet The Future of the Internet The World Wide Web
Accessing the Internet
Connecting via an online service ISP – Internet Service Provider NAP – Network Access Point
Connection Methods: Dial-up DSL Cable Modem Fiber to the Home
Addresses on the Internet
How do you get to a web address?
Domain names
www.business.auburn.edu
Name of the organization: Auburn University
Name of the specific computer: business
Top level domain: edu
Web Traffic and Net Neutrality
The Future of the Internet
http://www.akamai.com/html/technology/dataviz1.html
http://www.internettrafficreport.com/
The World Wide Web
World Wide WebNot the same thing as the Internet
Uniform resource locator
IPv4 vs. IPv6
Categories of Network Applications
Discovery Communication Collaboration E-Learning and Distance Learning Virtual Universities Telecommuting
How do businesses use networks to improve their operations?
Network Applications: Discovery
Search engines
Metasearch engines
Browsers
2012 Internet Explorer
Firefox Chrome Safari Opera
August 16.2 % 32.8 % 43.7 % 4.0 % 2.2 %
July 16.3 % 33.7 % 42.9 % 3.9 % 2.1 %
June 16.7 % 34.4 % 41.7 % 4.1 % 2.2 %
May 18.1 % 35.2 % 39.3 % 4.3 % 2.2 %
April 18.3 % 35.8 % 38.3 % 4.5 % 2.3 %
March 18.9 % 36.3 % 37.3 % 4.4 % 2.3 %
February 19.5 % 36.6 % 36.3 % 4.5 % 2.3 %
January 20.1 % 37.1 % 35.3 % 4.3 % 2.4 %
Network Applications: Communication
Electronic mail (e-mail)
Web-based call centers (customer call center)
Electronic chat room
Voice
Unified (integration of different forms of communication)© Mario S Ragma Jr/Age Fotostock America, Inc.
Voice Communication
Two examples of Internet telephony (VoIP)
Skype
Vonage
Network Applications:Collaboration
Types of collaboration: Work group Virtual group (team)
Virtual collaboration and Technologies: Collaboration software Electronic Teleconferencing E-Learning and Distance Learning
Telepresence Systems
See video on Cisco Magic
Source: PRNews Foto/Polycom, Inc./NewsCom
Network Applications:Telecommuting
Benefits:For Employees
Reduced stress, improved family life Employment opportunities for single parents
and persons with disabilitiesFor Employers
Increased productivity Ability to retain skilled employees
Network Applications: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
Questions
Explain how the Internet works. Assume you are talking with someone who has no knowledge of information technology (in other words, keep it very simple).
How are the network applications of communication and collaboration related? Do communication tools also support collaboration? Give examples.
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