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Module 1 (cont)•Scott Morton Decison making Grid•Telecommunication networks•ESS, •OAS,• Networking concepts,• telecommunications networks

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OperationalControl

ManagerialControl

StrategicPlanning

Technologysupport

Structured Accts. RecviableOrder Entry

Budget analysisShort-termforecastingPersonnel Reports

Investment analysisWarehouse location

MIS, Operationsresearch models,Transactionprocessing systems

SemiStructured

ProductionschedulingInventory control

Credit evaluationPlant layoutProject scheduling

Building new plantsMergers andacquisitionsNew productplanning

DSS

Unstructured Selectingmagazine coverBuying software,Approving loans

Negotiation,executive recruiting

R&D planningNew technologydevelopment

DSSEISMachine learning

Technologysupport

MISManagementscience

Mgt. ScienceDSSEISES

EISESMachine learning

Decision Support Framework (Gary and Scott-Morton)

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Network ComputingCommercial internet application evolve through four major phases:

presence, e-commerce, collaboration, and integration

Presence E-commerce Collaboration and interaction

Integration and Services

Emphasis Eyeball(human review)

Revue, expansion Profit Capabilities, services

Type of transaction

No transaction B2C,C2C,C2B,G2C, e-CRM

B2B,B2E,supply chain, c-commerce G2B

Portals, e-learning m-commerce, I-commerce

Nature Publish information Process transaction Collaborate Integrate, provide services

Target Pages Process transaction Digital systems Digital environments

Concentrate on Websites Web-enabled existing systems, dot-coms

Business transformation consolidation

Internal and external integration

1993-1994 1995-1999 2000-2001 2001-2005

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Internet Application Categories

• Discovery. Discovery involves browsing and information retrieval and provides customers the ability to view information in databases, download it, and/or process it.

• Communication. The Internet provides fast and inexpensive communication channels that range from message posted on online bulletin boards to complex information exchanges among many organizations.

• Collaboration. Due to improved communication, electronic collaboration between individuals and/or groups and collaboration between organizations are increasing rapidly.

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The Network Computing Infrastructure:

• The Intranet: An intranet is a network designed to serve the internal informational needs of a company, using Internet concepts and tools. It provides easy and inexpensive browsing and search capabilities.

• Extranet : An extranet connect the intranets of different organizations and allows secure communications among business partners over the Internet .

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Discovery • The internet permits users to access information located

in databases all over the world. The discovery capability can facilitate education, government services, entertainment and commerce.

• Discovery is done by browsing and searching data sources on the web. The major problem of discovery is the huge amount of information available. The solution is to use different types of search and other software agents.

• Software agent : computer programs that carry out a set of routine computer tasks on behalf of the user and in so doing employ some sort of knowledge of the user’s goals.

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Two types of search facilities available on the web

• Search engine: Computer program that can contact other network resources on the Internet, search for specific information by key words, and report the results; e.g. Google.

• Softbots: Software robots that execute routine tasks ( e.g. maintaining search engines) for the benefit of their users.

• Directory: A hierarchically organized collection of links to web pages, compiled manually; e.g.Yahoo.

Metasearch Engine: A computer program that searches several engines at once and integrates the finding of the various search engines to answer queries posted by users.

Intelligent agent: Software agents that exhibit intelligent behaviour and learning

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Major type of agents

• Web-Browsing- Assisting Agent: Known as tour guides, work while the user browses.

• Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) Agents: guide people to the answers to frequently asked questions.

• Intelligent Indexing Agents. Can carry out a massive autonomous search of the web on behalf of a user or, more commonly, of a search engine.

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Portals

• Portal: A Web-based personalized gateway to information and knowledge that provides information from disparate IT systems and the Internet, using advanced search and indexing techniques.

• Commercial (Public) Portal: Web site that offers fairly routine content for diverse audiences; offers customization only at the user interface.

• Publishing Portal: Web site intended for communities with specific interests; offers little customization of content, but provides extensive online search and some interactive capabilities.

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• Personal Portal: Web site that targets specific filtered information for individuals; offers narrow content but is typically personalized for an audience of one.

• Affinity Portal: Web site that offers a single point of entry to an entire community of affiliated interests.

• Mobile Portal. Web site that is accessible from mobile devices.

• Voice Portal. Web site with audio interface, enabling access by a standard or cell phone; uses both speech recognition and text- to speech technologies.

• Corporate Portal. web site that provides single point of access to critical business information located inside and outside of an organization.

Portals

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Communication

• Place and time can be used to create a framework for classifying IT communication and collaboration support technologies (same time/same place; same time/different place; different time/same place; Different time/different place)• Asynchronous Communication. Communication in

which a message sent at a certain time is received some time later (e.g., e-mail)

• Synchronous (real- time) Communication . Communication in which a message is sent at a certain time and received almost simultaneously (e.g., telephone, instant messaging online)

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A framework for IT ommunication

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Web- based Call Centers (customer care center)

• There are at least four categories of capabilities employed by web- based call centres: e-mail, interactive text chat, call backs, and simultaneous voice and web sessions.Electronic chat refers to an arrangement whereby participants exchange conversational message in real time

Chat room : A virtual meeting place where groups of regulars come to ‘’gab’’ electronically .

Two major types of chat programs exist (a) web- based chat programs, which allow you to send message to internet users using a web browser and visiting a web chat site (e.g., chat.yahoo.com), and (b) e-mail-based (text only) program called Internet Relay Chat (IRC). A business can use IRC to interact with customers, provide online experts’ answer to questions, and so on.

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• Voice communication can be done via the Internet using a microphone and a sound card.• Internet telephony (voice- over IP). The use of the

Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls.

• Weblog (blog) is a personal web site, open to the public, in which the site owner express his or her feelings or opinions.

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Collaboration • Collaboration. Mutual efforts by two or more individuals who perform

activities in order to accomplish certain tasks.• Work group. Two or more individuals who act together to perform

some task, on either a permanent or temporary basis.• Virtual group (team). A workgroup whose members are in different

locations and meet electronically

Flash mob: an organized, often big, sometimes loud, frequently fun , and peculiar gathering. It is a sudden grouping of people who carry out some generally odd ritual in unison and then, just as suddenly as they appeared, disperse.

Smart mobs: a coordinated group of people using technology such as mobile phones and the Internet to organize and then act simultaneously.

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• Virtual collaboration. The use of digital technologies that enable organization or individuals to collaboratively plan, design, develop, manage, and research products services , and innovative IT and EC applications.

• Collaborative commerce. Collaboration among business partners.

• Collaboration Networks: Collaboration took place among supply chain members, frequently those that were close to each other (e.g., a manufacturer and its distributor, or a distributor and a retailer)

Virtual Collaboration

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Collaboration- Enabling tools

• Workflow management . The automation of workflows, so that documents, information ,or tasks are passed from one participant to another through all of the steps in a business process.

• Workflow. The movement of information as it flows through the sequence of steps that make up an organization’s work procedures.

• Workflow Systems: Business process: automation tools that place system controls in the hands of user departments.

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• Groupware: Software products that support groups of people who collaborate on common task or goal and that provide a way for groups to share resources.

• Video teleconference: Virtual meeting in which participants in one location can see and hear participants at other locations and can share data graphics by electronic means.

• Data conferencing: Virtual meeting in which data, graphics, and computer files are sent electronically; allows geographically dispersed groups to work on the same project and to communicate simultaneously.

• Web conferencing: video teleconferencing that is conclude solely on the Internet (not on telephone line).Screen Sharing Software: Software that enables group members to work on the same document, which is shown on the PC screen of each participant.Groupware Suites: Groupware technologies often integrated with other computer-based technologies (several products are integrated into one system).

Groupware

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Different approaches and technologies for the support of groups on the Internet

• Virtual meeting. Meeting whose members are in different locations, often in different countries.

• Teleconferencing. The use of electronic communication that allows two or more people at different location to have a simultaneous conference.

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Real Time Collaboration Tools

• Real- time collaboration (RTC). tools help companies bridge time and space to make decision and to collaborate on projects. RTC tools support synchronous communication of graphical and text-based information. support, and sales applications.

• Whiteboard (electronic). An area on a computer display screen on which multiple users can write or draw; multiple users can use a single document “pasted” onto the screen.

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Intranet and Extranet

• Intranet• An internal corporate network built using Internet

and World Wide Web standards and products that allows employees of an organization to gain access to corporate information

• Extranet• A network based on Web technologies that links

selected resources of the intranet of a company with its customers, suppliers, or other business partners

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Intranet

• A network based on TCP/IP protocols (an internet) belonging to an organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization's members, employees, or others with authorization.

• An intranet's Web sites look and act just like any other Web sites, but the firewall surrounding an intranet fends off unauthorized access.

• Like the Internet itself, intranets are used to share information.

• Secure intranets are now the fastest-growing segment of the Internet because they are much less expensive to build and manage than private networks based on proprietary protocols.

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Extranet

• A new buzzword that refers to an intranet that is partially accessible to authorized outsiders.

• Whereas an intranet resides behind a firewall and is accessible only to people who are members of the same company or organization, an extranet provides various levels of accessibility to outsiders.

• You can access an extranet only if you have a valid username and password, and your identity determines which parts of the extranet you can view.

• Extranets are becoming a very popular means for business partners to exchange information.

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Firewall

• A device that sits between your internal network and the outside Internet and limits access into and out of your network based on your organization’s access policy

• A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network.

• Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and

software, or a combination of both.• Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet

users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets.

• All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

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Types of filters

There are several types of firewall techniques: – Packet filter: Looks at each packet entering or leaving the network

and accepts or rejects it based on user-defined rules. Packet filtering is fairly effective and transparent to users, but it is difficult to configure. In addition, it is susceptible to IP spoofing.

– Application gateway: Applies security mechanisms to specific applications, such as FTP and Telnet servers. This is very effective, but can impose a performance degradation.

– Circuit-level gateway: Applies security mechanisms when a TCP or UDP connection is established. Once the connection has been made, packets can flow between the hosts without further checking.

– Proxy server: Intercepts all messages entering and leaving the network. The proxy server effectively hides the true network addresses.

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What is an Extranet?

• An extranet is a private network that uses Internet protocols and the public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses.

• An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's Intranet that is extended to users outside the company.

• The same benefits that Web technologies have brought to corporate Intranets are now starting to accelerate business between businesses.

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More on Extranets

• Extranets can be used to exchange large volumes of data, share product catalogues, share news with trading partners, collaborate with other companies on joint development efforts, jointly develop and share training programs with other companies, provide or access applications between companies, and much more.

• It may sound like a technology for geeks only. But many people use extranets every day without realizing it--to track packaged goods, order products from their suppliers or access customer assistance from other companies.

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• An extranet is a mechanism based on Internet and Web technology for communicating both privately and selectively with your customers and business partners.

More on Extranets

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Differences between an Extranet, an Intranet and the Internet?

• First there was the Internet, which is available for everyone to use. Then businesses got smart and started developing their own intranets that used the same friendly Web interface but put up firewalls so that only employees could see the information on the site. Finally, the extranet was created.

• It finds itself somewhere in between—there's still a firewall, but you allow only selected outsiders, such as business partners and customers, inside.

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Why would you use Extranets?

• When done correctly, extranets provide a safe way to allow transactional business-to-business activities and can save your company some serious time and money.

• The automotive industry uses extranets to cut down on its redundant ordering processes and keep suppliers up to date on parts and design changes, allowing quicker response times to suppliers' problems and questions.

• Suppliers can receive proposals, submit bids, provide documents, even collect payments through an extranet site.

• An extranet has restricted (password-protected) access, so it may be connected directly to each party's internal systems.

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Disadvantages of Extranets

• The benefits of extranets, such as reduced time to market and cost of doing business, and faster access to partner information, may be outweighed by the costs—security, Web servers and development, legacy systems integration, ongoing support and maintenance.

• Extranets require a large amount of IS time and energy, much more than what it takes to get an intranet or Web site up and running, which may place it at the bottom of the IS group's to-do list.

• Telecommunications system: Combination of hardware and software that transmits information (text, data, graphics, and voice) from one location to another. Compatible hardware and software used to communicate information from one place to another– Will include voice, text, graphics, documents and video

• Analog signal: Continuous waves that transmit information by altering the amplitude and frequency of the waves.

• Digital signal: A discrete pulse, either on or off, that conveys information in a binary form.

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The Telecommunications system

HardwareCommunications mediaCommunications networksCommunications softwareData communications providersCommunications protocolsCommunication applications

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The major components of a telecommunications system:

• Hardware devices that support data transmission and reception across a telecommunications system.

• Modem: :Device that converts signals from analog to digital and vice versa.

• Multiplexer: Electronic device that allows a single communications channel to carry data transmission simultaneously from many sources.

• Front-end processor: A small secondary computer, dedicated solely to communication, that manages all routing communications with peripheral devices.

• [Bandwidth. The range of frequencies available in a communications channel stated in bits per second.]

• Transmission speed• A medium’s capacity is determined by the range of bits per second

at which it can operate. • Baud• Repeater

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Communications processors

• Communication channel: Pathway for communicating data form one location to another.

• Cable media: Communications channels that use physical wires or cables to transmit data and information.

• Broadcast ( wireless) media: Communication channels that use electromagnetic media (the ‘’airwaves’’) to transmit data.

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Communication media and channels

Twisted-pairs wire: • Copper wire twisted together in pairs used for most

business telephone wiring . • Telephone line made of a pair of copper wires twisted to

reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI)Coaxial cable.• Insulated copper wire; • used to carry high-speed data traffic and television

signals. • More expensive than twisted pair.• Greater transmission rate than twisted pair• Much less susceptible to EMI

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Guided Media

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Fibre- optic cable. • Thousand of very thin filaments of glass fibers, • surround by cladding, that transmit information

via light pulses generated by lasers.– Fiber-optic technology uses light instead of

electricity to transmit data.

Guided Media

Microwave transmission:• Communication channel that uses towers to send

wireless signals; • used for high-volume, • long-distance, • point-to-point communication. • High-frequency, • short radio-frequency (RF) waves

• Terrestrial microwave• Satellite microwave

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Unguided Media

• Radio transmission: Communications channel that uses radio wave frequencies to send data directly between transmitters and receivers over short distances.

• Satellite radio (digital radio): Form of radio transmission that offers uninterrupted, near CD-quality music beamed to your radio from space.

• Cellular radio technology. Use of radio transmission between cells in geographic service areas and a mobile telephone switching office, enabling wireless phone service.

• Personal communication services (PCS) technology. Wireless communication technology that uses lower-power, higher-frequency radio waves than cellular radio technology, making PCS devices effective in places where cellular devices are not.

• Infrared. Red light not commonly visible to human eyes; can be modulated or pulsed for conveying information. 39

Unguided Media

• Computer network. A system connecting communications media, hardware, and software needed of two or more computer systems and/ or devices.

• Switched lines. Telephone lines through which data transmissions can be routed or switched to their destination.

• Dedicated lines (leased lines). telephone line that provide a constant connection between two devices and require no switching or dialing.

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Network services

• Integrated services digital network (ISDN). A high-speed technology that allows users to transfer voice, video, image, and data simultaneously, over existing telephone lines.

• Digital subscriber line (DSL). A high-speed, digital data-transmission technology using existing analog telephone lines.

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Telecommunications in Business

• Telecommunications– Any form of long distance communication,

including telephone, television and radio• Telecommunications has improved business in three

main ways:– Better communication– Higher efficiency – Better distribution of data

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What is Data Communications

• Data Communications

– Any transfer of data within a computer, between a computer and another device, or between two computers

• Integration– Business are increasingly integrated in their use of

computers, telephony, video and data networks

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Communication Direction

• Three Modes of Communication Between Devices– Simplex

• One direction only– Half-Duplex

• Both directions, but only one at a time– Full-Duplex

• Simultaneous in both directions

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Communication Direction

Asynchronous Communication

– In asynchronous transmission, the devices are not synchronized by any timing aids.

– Advantage• Does not need sophisticated and expensive timing

hardware– Disadvantage

• Overhead, time spent transmitting bits that are not a part of the primary data

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Communication Modes

• Synchronous Communication– In synchronous communication, data are transmitted

using timing devices.

– Messages are transmitted in packets.

– Advantage of synchronous communication• Overhead in synchronous communication is

significantly smaller than in asynchronous communication.

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Protocols

• Definition– Rules and procedures governing transmission across

a network• Line access• Collision avoidance

• TCP/IP– Standard protocol of the Internet and intranets– Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol– Designed for sending large files across unreliable

networks– Utilizes packets of information

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OSI Standard

• Seven Layer Model– Governs peer-to-peer communication between

software at each layer– From physical layer (how bits are transmitted over a

channel)– To application layer (file transfer, security, etc)

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Open Systems Interconnect Model

The seven layers of the OSI model

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Networks

• LANs (Local Area Networks)– Networks within a building, or within a group of

adjacent buildings• WANs (Wide Area Networks)

– Networks across significant distances, either within a single organization or spanning multiple organizations

• Value-added networks (VANs)• Wireless communication

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Network Topology

Network topologies

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Networks Devices

• Bridge– Connects two networks at the data link layer

• Router– Connects two networks at network layer– Provides intelligent routing, some network management

functions and security• Gateways

– Connect networks using different protocols• Switches

– Incorporate features of bridges and gateways

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Client/Server Computing

• Enabled by proliferation of powerful desktop computers and decentralized servers

• Principle– Processing functions divided between to

separate, distinct computers– One requests services of a server (the client)– One delivers a service upon request (the server)

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Example of Client/Server Computing

• Email– Email client (Outlook) sends request to

POP server for messages– POP Server receives and validates

request to download email– Client processes data received (formats,

displays, stores messages)

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Benefits of Client/Server Computing

• Potential to reduce cost– By offloading computing cycles to

cheaper and underutilized desktop PC• Improved performance

– Has enabled high-performing graphical user interfaces

• Cable modem. A modem that operates over coaxial cable and offers high-speed access to the Internet or corporate intranets.

• Packet switching. Data transmission technology that breaks up blocks of text into small, fixed bundles of data (packets) that are sent independently through the network.

• Frame relay. A data transmission technology that is faster and less expensive than packet switching.

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• Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). Data transmission technology that uses packet switching and allows for almost unlimited bandwidth on demand.

• Fiber distributed data inference (FDDI). Data transmission standard based on high-speed, high-capacity capabilities of fiber optics.

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• Protocol. The set of rules and procedures governing transmission across a network

• Ethernet. The most common network protocol.• Gigabit Ethernet. The most common network protocol

in large corporations, which provides data transmission speeds of one billion bits per second.

• Transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP/IP). A file transfer protocol that can send large files of information across sometimes- unreliable networks with assurance that the data will arrive uncorrupted.

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Network protocols

• The ISO-OSI model defines how software on different system communicates at different layers. The model has seven layers, each having its own well-defined function.

• Layer 1: physical layer: define the mechanism for communicating with the transmission media and interface hardware.

• Layer 2: data link layer: validates the integrity of the flow of data.

• Layer 3. network layer: defines the protocols for data routing to ensure that information arrives at the correct destination

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The International Standards Organization open systems interconnection protocol (ISO-OSI)

• Layer 4: transport layer: defines the protocols for structuring messages.

• Layer 5: session layer : coordinates communications and maintains the session for as long as needed including security and log-on functions.

• Layer 6: presentation layer; defines the way data is formatted, converted and encoded

• Layer7: application layer. Defines the way that applications programs such as e-mail interact with the network

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(ISO-OSI)

• Distributed processing. Network architecture that divides processing work between two or more computers, linked together in a network.

• Client/ server computing. Form of distributed processing in which some machines (servers) perform computing functions for end –user PCs (clients).

• Peer- to–peer processing. A type of client/ server distributed processing that allows two or more computers to pool their resources, making each computer both a client and a server

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Network processing strategies

Local area network (LAN). Network that connects communications devices in a limited geographical region (e.g., a building ), so that every user device on the network can communicate with every other device.Topology. The physical layout and connectivity of a network

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Types of computer networks

• File server. A repository of various software and data files for the network, which determines who gets access to what and in what sequence

• Network interface card. Hardware that specifics the data transmission rate, the size of message units, the addressing information attached to each message and network topology.

• Gateway. A communications processor that connects dissimilar networks by translating from one set of protocols to another

• Bridge. A communications processor that connects two networks of the same type.

• Router. A communications processor that routes message through several connected LANs or to a wide area network. 65

LAN technology

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• Personal computer LANs– Low cost– Limited data rate

• Back end networks– Interconnecting large systems (mainframes and large

storage devices)• High data rate• High speed interface• Distributed access• Limited distance• Limited number of devices

LAN

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• Storage Area Networks– Separate network handling storage needs– Detaches storage tasks from specific servers– Shared storage facility across high-speed network– Hard disks, tape libraries, CD arrays– Improved client-server storage access– Direct storage to storage communication for backup

• High speed office networks– Desktop image processing– High capacity local storage

• Backbone LANs– Interconnect low speed local LANs– Reliability– Capacity– Cost

LAN Applications

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• Topologies• Transmission medium• Layout• Medium access control

LAN Architecture

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• Bus• Mesh • Star• Ring• Hybrid

Topologies

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Topologies

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• Reliability• Expandability• Performance• Needs considering in context of:

– Medium– Wiring layout– Access control

Choice of Topology

• WLANs: Technologies (e.g., Bluetooth and wifi) that provide LAN connectivity over short distance, typically limited to less than 150 meters.

• Bluetooth. A wireless technology that enables temporary, short-range connection between wireless devices and enables these devices to communicate with each other via low-power radio frequencies.

• Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). A wireless technology that can transmit information at a range up to 300 feet; another name for the 802.11b standard on which most WLANs run.

• Private branch exchange (PBX). a type of LAN that controls telephone switching at a company site.

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Wireless local area networks (WLANs)

• OAS are configurations of networked computer hardware and software.

• Applied to business and communication functions that used to be performed manually or in multiple locations of a company

• Functions integrated Include : e-publishing, e-communication, e-collaboration, image processing, office management

OAS

Electronic Publishing• Include word processing and desktop publishing. • Word processing software allows users to create, edit,

revise, store and print documents(letters, memos, reports and manuscripts)

• DTP software(eg Adobe pagemaker, Corel Ventura, MS Publisher) enables users to integrate text, graphics, images to produce high quality printable output.Used to create professional looking publications

OAS

• Electronic Communication includes e-mail, voice mail, Fax, desktop vide conferencing

• E-mail : Users can create, send and receive messages, files from anywhere.

• Voice mail• Fax(facsimile): Scans a document containing both text

and graphics and sends it as electronic signals over ordinary telephone lines

• Desktop videoconferencing: Requires a desktop computer and a special application software(CUseeME) as well as small camera installed on top of the monitor. Images are captured and sent across the network

OAS

Electronic collaboration• E meeting and collaborative work systems allows teams

to use network of micro computers to share information, update schedules and plans and cooperate on projects regardless of the geographical distance

• Special software called groupware is needed to allow two or more people to edit

OAS

Telecommuting and collaborative systems• Telecommuters perform some or all of their work at

home instead of travelling to work place daily• Micro computers, modem, software• High Tech meeting rooms help companies make

effective presentation

OAS

Image Processing• Include electronic document management, presentation

graphics and multi media systems• Convert text, drawings and photographs into digital form

that can be stored in a computer system• This digital form can be manipulated, stored, printed or

sent via a modem to another computer.• Use scanners, digital cameras, video capture cards or

advanced graphic computers

OAS

• Presentation graphics uses graphics and data from other software tools to create and display information,. Includes charts, bullet lists, text, sound, photos, animation and video clips.

• Multi media systems integrate media like graphic, sound, voice, video

• Office Management : Include electronic office accessories, electronic scheduling, and task management. Help organise people, project and data

• Business dates, appointments, notes and client contact information can be created, edited, stored and retrieved

OAS

Executive Support System

•Because top-level executives often require specialized support when making strategic decisions, many companies have developed system to assist executive decisions making.•This type of system called an executive support system is a specialized decision support system that includes all hardware, software, data, procedures and people used to assist senior level execution within the organization.•In some levels executive support system is also known as EIS.

Executive Support System

•An executive support system can also be used by individuals further down in the organizational structure.

•Once targeted at the top-level executive decision makers. Executive support systems are now marketed for & used by employees at other levels in the organization.

•In the traditional view, executive support system gives top executives a means of tracking critical success factors.

Executive Support System

•An executive support system is a special type of decision support system, and like a decision support system, an executive support system is designed to support higher-level decision making in the organization. •The decision support system provides a variety of modeling and analysis tools to enable user to thoroughly analyzed problems. •Executive support system prevents structured information about aspects of the organization that executives consider important. •It is for asking right question and decision support system is to answer questions.

Characteristics of ESS

•Ease to Use : The top-level executive’s most critical resource can be his or her time. Thus, an executive support system must be easy to learn & use and not overly complex.

•Have Drill Down Abilities : The executive support system allows executive to “drilldown” into the company to determine how certain data was produced. The drilldown allows an executive to get more detailed information if needed.•Can Help With Situations that Have a High Degree of Uncertainty

Characteristics of ESS

Support the need for External Data• The data need to make effective top-level decisions is often external information from competitors. • An effective ESS is able to extract data useful to decision maker from wide variety of resources.

Have a future Orientation• Executive decisions are future oriented, meaning that decisions will have a broad impact for years or decades. • The information sources to support future oriented decision making are usually informal.

Characteristics of ESS

Are Linked with value added Business Process: • Like other information system, executive support systems are linked with executive decision system can be used by different firms. • By detecting which firms generate enough business to be worth a certain discount can be done through executive support system.

Capabilities of ESS

•Support for Strategic Planning : This involves determining long term objectives by analyzing the strengths and weakness of the organization, predicting future trends and projective the development of new product lines.•Support for Strategic Control : Another type of executive decision relates to strategic control, which involves monitoring & managing overall operation of the organization.

•Goal seeking can be done for each major area to determine

what performance these areas need to achieve to reach

corporate exceptions.

Capabilities of ESS

Support for Crisis Management•Even with careful strategic planning, a crisis can occur major disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes; floods etc. can totally shutdown the part of organization.•Handling these emergencies is another responsibility for top-level executives. •In many cases, strategic emergency plans can be put into place with the help of an executive support system. •This helps the organization to recover quickly if an emergency or crisis occurs.