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.