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QUESTION 1: Data communication networks havebecome indispensable part of businesses. Discuss any

6 application areas it has affected. Explain some of theadvantages that can result from such applications

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Data communication

Interchanging and processing of encoded information between

devices at distant locations using telecommunicationsAlso the collection and distribution of the electronicrepresentation of information which can be text, voice, graphicsor image, from and to remote computing facilities.

Indispensable

It means something necessary, extremely desirable or usefultowards achievement of a certain goal.

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Acomputer networkis a group of computers that areconnected to each other for the purpose of communication.Networks may be classified according to a wide variety ofcharacteristics therefore allowing sharing of resources andinformation among devices connected to the network.Networks come in all sizes. They can range from simplenetworks consisting of two computers, to networks connectingmillions of devices varying in the mode of connectivity.

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Networks can be classified based on:

Connection methods bothwired/guided andwireless/unguided

Scale of operation - the range in which they operate efficientlyi.e. PAN, LAN, CAN

, MAN, WAN, GAN, INTRANET,

EXTRANET , INTERNET etcCategories i.e. peer-to-peer

, server-based and specializedservers

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despite variations in network size and design, all networks sharethe below basic components

Transmission medium- its the wired or wireless connectivityfor the transfer of data among devices

Clients the devices e.g. PCs connected on the network toaccess shared resources

Servers- devices that provide shared resources such as storage,printing, email thus allowing clients access to the particularresources

Nodes/ host any communicating device on the networkNetwork services- functions provided by the network and areutilized by network clients which include print services anddatabase services.

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productionConnectivity ensures that a products standard is maintained ateach level by the different sub-units sharing ideas, relayinginstructions and consulting each other as the product moves

from one unit to the next which may necessarily not be on thesame location, towards product development.

Most goods oriented organizations e.g. sugar manufacturing;car assembling and soft drink producers like in this case cocacola company have utilized networks to improve theirfunctionalities.

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administrationManagers from different departments are able to communicatefrom their offices through E-mails, Outlook Express and instantmessaging

Ability of administrators to convene meetings viateleconferencing

Timely access to information when necessary

Ability to manage organizational activities away from office

virtual officeConducting online interviews for vacancies

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Usernames and password management

Use of biometrics within processing unitsUse of closed circuit televisions (CCTV) to monitor operations

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Use of online booking system of products and services whichallows customers to make orders for specific products, thecompany staff analyses the requested order and provide a

feedback. This enables the customer to proceed with paymentthrough credit cards and they are supplied with the products.

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Finance

Monitoring organizational financial activities foradministrators

Conducting online transactions by clients

Sales and marketingAdvertisements of new products to raise public awareness areeasily posted on the network

Use of networks in marketing is advantageous to a companysimply because it covers wide area within a short period of time,perhaps, worldwide as compared to the use of paper

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The advantages of networking to organizations include

Speed - Rapid speeds of data/ information sharing andtransfers

Cost - Reduction of overhead expenditures in terms of

software and hardware installationsCentralized file and software management- necessity toupdate only server files

Resource and Hardware Sharing sharing of peripheralssuch as printers, fax machines and modems

Workgroup computing - e.g. use of Microsoft back office

Data Security and Management - use of passwords,encryptions and copy inhibit, so that individuals do not carryout illegal copying of the programs.

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Advantages contd

Internet Access Sharing - use of one high speed internetconnection e.g. a modem instead of a specific device for aspecific computer

Connecti

vity and Communication ability of users tocommunicate to each other e.g. via instant messages (use of

vypress software)

Performance Enhancement/monitoring reflection ofemployee daily activities to the main administration

Entertainment ability to play music, movies, games etcboth online and offline

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DisadvantagesCabling can be expensive to install and replace especially the fiberoptics.

Serverand network faults - A fault with the server will lead to theloss of signal causes loss of data and resources (printers, modems indifferent network topologies) thus prevents the whole network from

working.

Network management may be difficult i.e. troubleshooting where anindividual has to check for physical connectivity (vandalism), IPconfigurations etc

Security problems networks require measures to restrict access tothe network as lack of measures opens the system to hacking, viral

attacks and tapping.Network efficiencies due to traffic overload which affects the generalfunctionality of the network.

Centralized decision making which may be anti-developmental

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Security p

roblems networks requiremeasures to restrict access to the network as lack

of measures opens the system to hacking, viralattacks and tapping.

Network efficiencies due to traffic overloadwhich affects the general functionality of thenetwork.

Centralized decision making which may be anti-

developmental

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Data communication is an important part in todays digitalworld. The urgency with which decisions are to be made and the

numerous emerging problems to be solved requires theembracing of networking technology so that ideas can be easilypassed amongst individuals and a solution sought before theproblem grows beyond ones ability.

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Cole, D. (1990) implementing OSI networks , Canada- USA

Institute of advanced Technology (2002): Network SupportSpecialist

John, E.(1996) Local Area Networks (computer networks), USA

Madhan, W. (1994) Local Area Networks TechnologiesEmerging standards, 3rd edition, USA

Thomas, W. (1994) Local Area Networks: New TechnologiesEmerging Standards, USA