Week 7

Describe the basic telecommunications system?

Telecommunication system consists of hardware and software that transmit information from one location to another. These systems can transmit text, data, graphics, voice, documents or full-motion video information with two basic types of signals, analog and digital. The major components of telecommunication systems include the following: devices, communication processors, and communications channels and media.

Compare and contrast the main wired communications channels ? (Ethernet & Fibre Optic)

Ethernet is a common LAN protocol. Most large corporations use gigabit Ethernet in which the network provides data transmission speeds of a 1 billion bits per second. On the other hand fibre optics consist of thousands of very thin filaments of glass fibers that transmit information via light pulses generated by lasers. The thin fibre-optic cable is surrounded by cladding, a coating that prevents the light from leaking out of the fiber.

What are the main business reasons for using networks?

A computer system that connects computers via communications media so that data can be transmitted among them. Computer networks are essential to modern organisations for many reasons. First, networked computer systems enable organisations to be more flexibke so that they can adapt rapidly to changes in business conditions. Second, networks enable companies to share hardware, computer applications, and data across the organisations and among the organisations. Third, networks make it possible for geographically dispersed employees and workgroups to share dpocumentrs, ideas, and creative insights. This sharing encourages teamwork, innovation, anfd more efficient and effective interactions. Finally, networks are a critical link between businesses and their customers.

What is the difference between LANs and WANs?

LANs connects two or more devices in a limited geographical region, usually within the same building, so that every device on the network can communicate with every other device. Every device in a LAN network has a network interface card (NIC) that allows the device to physically connect to the LAN’s communication medium. Whereas WAN’s are networks that cover large geographic areas and typically connect multiple LAN’s. WAN’s generally are provided by common carriers such as telephone companies and the international networks of global communications service providers. WAN’s have a large capacity, and they typically combine multiple channels.

What is a network protocol?

The set of rules and procedures that govern transmission across a network is a protocol. Computing devices that are connected to the networks access and share the network to transmit and receive data. Components known as nodes, work together by adhering to a common set of rules that enable them to communicate with one another.

Describe TCP/IP protocol.

The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is the protocol of the internet. TTCP/IP uses a suite of protocols, the main ones being Transmission Control Protocol and the Internet Protocol. The TCP perform three functions the first function is, it manages the movement of packets between computers by establishing a connection between the computers. Secondly, it sequences the transfer of packets and thirdly, it acknowledges the packets that have been transmitted. The internet protocol (IP) is responsible for disassembling, delivering and reassembling the data during transmission.

Chapter 5

Describe the underlying technologies, applications and types of Web sites that comprise Web 2.0.
Web 2.0 is a loose collection of information technologies and applications, and of all the websites that use them. These websites enrich the user experience by encouraging user participation, social interaction and collaboration. Web 2 sites harness collective intelligence; deliver functionality as services, rather than packaged software; and feature remixable applications and data.
Some of the underlying technologies, applications and types of websites that comprise web 2.0 are as follows:
1. AJAX – Web development technique, this allows portions of webpage to reload with fresh data instead instead of requiring the whole webpage to reload.
2. Tagging – Tagging, this permits users to place information in multiple overlapping associations rather than in rigid associations.
3. Blogs and blogging - A web blog is a personal website open to the public in which the site creator expresses his or her feeling or opinions.
4. Wikis- A wiki is a website on which anyone can post material and make changes to other material. Wikis have an edit link on each page that enables users to alter material fostering any collaboration.
5. Really simple syndication – this allows users to receive information they want when they want it without having to surf numerous of websites. RSS allows anyone to publish his or her blog, or any other content to anyone who is interested in subscribing.
6. Podcast and video casts – A podcast is a digital audio file that is distributed over the web using RSS for playback on portable media players or personal computers. A video cast is the same as a podcast except it is a digital video file.
7. Social networking – allows users to upload their contents to the web in form of texts e.g. blogs, voice e.g. podcasts, images and videos e.g. video casts. Social network sites provide an easy and interactive way to communicate and collaborate with others.
8. Aggregators – are websites that provide collections of content from the web e.g. www.bloglines.com
9. Mashups – Mashups means to mix and match content from other parts of the web. A mash up is a website that takes content from a number of websites and mixes them together to make a new kind of content.

Describe the functions of the Web services

Web services are applications, delivered over the internet, that users can select and combine through almost any device, from personal computers to mobile phones. By using a set of shared protocols and standards, these applications permit different systems to “talk” with one another, that is to share data and services – without requiring human beings to translate the conversation.

Describe how you see Social Networking being used in Business.

Social networking are web sites that allow users to upload their content on to the web, in the form of text (for example blogs), voice (for example, podcasts), images, and videos (for example, videocasts).
Social networking also is being used to help small businesses around the world. For example Kiva, Kiva is a website through which people can loan money to small businesses in the developing world. Kiva’s objective is to help poor working people in those countries achieve economic independence

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