MIS Chapter 6: Telecommunications and Networking

Describe them most common methods for accessing the Internet.

- Dial-up - DSL - Cable modem - Satellite - Wireless - Fiber

What are the wireline communications media and channels?

- Twisted-pair wire - Coaxial cable - Fiber-optic cables

Ethernet

A common local area network protocol.

Twisted-Pair Wire

A communications medium consisting of strands of copper wire twisted together in pairs.

Fiber-Optic Cable

A communications medium consisting of thousands of very thin filaments of glass fibers, surrounded by cladding, that transmit information through pulses of light generated by lasers.

Router

A communications processor that routes messages from a LAN to the Internet, across several connected LANs, or across a wide area network such as the Internet.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A company that provides Internet connections for a fee.

Search Engine

A computer program that searches for specific information by keywords and reports the results.

Metasearch Engine

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

File Server (Network Server)

A computer that contains various software and data files for a local area network and contains the network operating system.

Network Server

A computer that contains various software and data files for a local area network and contains the network operating system.

Hyperlink

A connection from a hypertext file or document to another location or file, typically activated by clicking on a highlighted work or image on the screen, or by touching the screen.

Digital Signals

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

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

A file transfer protocol that can send large files of information across sometimes unreliable networks with the assurance that the data will arrive uncorrupted.

Internet (the Net)

A massive global WAN that connects approximately 1 million organizational computer networks in more than 200 countries on all continents.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network that connects communications devices in a limited geographic region, such as a building, so that every user device on the network can communicate with every other device.

Extranet

A network that connects parts of the intranets of different organizations.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A network, generally provided by common carriers, that covers a wide geographical area.

Internet2

A new, faster telecommunications network that deploys advanced network applications such as remote medical diagnosis, digital libraries, distance education, online simulation, and virtual laboratories.

Intranet

A private network that uses Internet software and TCP/IP protocols.

Crowdsourcing

A process in which an organization outsources a task to an undefined, generally large group of people in the form of an open call.

Internet Protocol (IP)

A set of rules responsible for disassembling, delivering, and reassembling packets over the Internet.

World Wide Web (the web, WWW, or W3)

A system of universally accepted standards for storing, retrieving, formatting, and displaying information through a client/server architecture; it uses the transport functions of the Internet.

Computer Network

A system that connect computers and other devices through communications media so that data and information can be transmitted among them.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) 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.

Videoconference

A virtual meeting in which participants in one location can see and hear participants at other locations and can share data and graphics by electronic means.

Chat Room

A virtual meeting place in which groups of regulars come to talk among themselves electronically.

Industrywide Portal

A web-based gateway to information and knowledge for an entire industry.

Portal

A web-based personalized gateway to information and knowledge that provides information from disparate information systems and the Internet, using advance search and indexing techniques.

Affinity Portal

A website that offers a single point of entry to an entire community of affiliated interests.

Commercial (Public) Portal

A website that offers fairly routine content for diverse audiences. It offers customization only at the user interface.

Corporate Portal

A website that provides a single point of access to critical business information located inside and outside of an organization.

Telecommuting

A work arrangement whereby employees work at home, at the customer's premises, in special workplaces, or while traveling, usually using a computer linked to their place of employment.

Virtual Group (Team)

A workgroup whose members are in different locations and who meet electronically.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

An assigned address that uniquely identifies a computer on the Internet.

Enterprise Network

An organization's network composed of interconnected multiple LANs and WANs.

Explain the impact that collaboration network applications have had on business and everyday life.

Collaboration refers to mutual efforts by two or more entities (individuals, groups, or companies) that work together to accomplish tasks. It is enabled by workflow systems and enables business users to collaborate with colleagues, business partners, and customers.

Website

Collectively, all of the web pages of a particular company or individual.

Unified Communications

Common hardware and software platform that simplifies and integrates all forms of communications-voice, e-mail, instant messaging, location, and videoconferencing-across an organization.

Broadcast Media (Wireless Media)

Communications channels that use electromagnetic media (the "airwaves") to transmit data.

Wireless Media

Communications channels that use electromagnetic media (the "airwaves") to transmit data.

Cable Media (Wireline Media)

Communications channels that use physical wires or cables to transmit data and information.

Wireline Media

Communications channels that use physical wires or cables to transmit data and information.

Network Access Points (NAPs)

Computers that act as exchange points for Internet traffic and determine how traffic is routed.

Servers

Computers that provide access to various network services, such as printing, data, and communications.

Clients

Computers, such as users' personal computers, that use any of the services provided by servers.

Analog Signals

Continuous waves that transmit information by altering the amplitude and frequency of the waves.

Modem

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

Explain the impact that discovery network applications have had on business and everyday life.

Discovery involves browsing and information retrieval, and provides users the ability to view information in databases, download it, and process it. Discovery tools include search engines, directories, and portals. They enable business users to efficiently find needed information.

Explain the impact that educational network applications have had on business and everyday life.

E-learning refers to learning supported by the web. Distance learning refers ti any learning situation in which teachers and students do not meet face to face. It provides tools for business users to facilitate their lifelong learning aspirations. Virtual universities are online universities in which students take classes on the Internet at home or an offsite locations. They make it possible for students to obtain degrees while working full time, thus increasing their value to their firms.

Client/Server Computing

Form of distributed processing in which some machines (servers) perform computing functions for end-user PCs (clients).

Backbone Networks

High-speed central networks to which multiple smaller networks (e.g., LANs and smaller WANs) connect.

Coaxial Cable

Insulated copper wire; used to carry high-speed data traffic and television signals.

Distance Learning (DL)

Learning situations in which teachers and students do not meet face to face.

E-Learning

Learning supported by the web; can be done inside traditional classrooms or in virtual classrooms.

Compare and contrast the two major types of networks.

Local Area Networks (LANs) - encompass a limited geographical area and are usually composed of one communications medium Wide Area Networks (WANs) - encompass a broad geographical area and are usually composed of multiple communications media

MOOCs

Massive open online courses.

Collaboration

Mutual efforts by two or more individuals who perform activities to accomplish certain tasks.

Distributed Processing

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

Explain the impact that communication network applications have had on business and everyday life.

Networks provide fast,inexpensive communications, through e-mail, call centers, chat rooms, voice communications, and blogs. They provide business users with a seamless interface among team members, colleagues, business partners, and customers. Telecommuting is the process whereby knowledge workers are able to work anywhere and any time. It provides flexibility for employees, with many benefits and some drawbacks.

Virtual Universitites

Online universities in which students take classes on the Internet at home or at an offsite location.

Communications Channel

Pathway for communicating data from one location to another.

Browsers

Software applications through which users primarily access the web.

Hypertext

Text displayed on a computer display with references, called hyperlinks, to other text that the reader can immediately access.

Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP)

The communications standard used to transfer pages across the WWW portion of the Internet; defines how messages are formulated and transmitted.

Workflow

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

Domain Names

The name assigned to an Internet site, consisting of multiple parts, separated by dots, which are translated from right to left.

Internet Backbone

The primary network connections and telecommunications lines that link the computers and organizational nodes of the Internet.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

The set of letters that identifies the address of a specific resource on the web.

Protocol

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

Domain Name Systems (DNS)

The system administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names (ICANN) that assigns names to each site on the Internet.

Broadband

The transmission capacity of a communications medium faster than 25 Mbps.

Bandwidth

The transmission capacity of a network, stated in bits per second.

Packet Switching

The transmission technology that divides blocks of text into packets.

Virtual Collaboration

The use of digital technologies that enable organization or individuals to collaboratively plan, design, develop, manage, and research products, services, and innovative information systems and electronic commerce applications.

Teleconferencing

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

Internet Telephony (Voice-over-Internet Protocol, or VoIP)

The use of the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls.

Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP)

The use of the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls.

Workgroup

Two or more individuals who act together to perform a task, on either a permanent or on a temporary basis.

The popularity of online classes and online universities can be attributed to which of the following network applications? a. All of these b. Communications c. Collaboration d. Discovery

a. All of these

A collection of the following devices - two desktop computers, three laptops, two smart phones, and a printer - can be described as a(n): a. LAN b. All of these c. Network server d. WAN

a. LAN

Which of the following is FALSE? a. The Atos case demonstrates that it is possible to cut out e-mail entirely b. The fast-paced and collaboration-based business environment makes email less useful c. Email is often associated with information overload and stress d. Email is the dominant form of communication in business and in education

a. The Atos case demonstrates that it is possible to cut out e-mail entirely

Network protocols describe ____________. a. The rules for communication within the network b. The number of nodes in the network c. The connections between the nodes in the network d. The number of nodes in the network and the connections between them

a. The rules for communication within the network

IPv6 will allow for ______ unique IP addresses. a. 32 b. 2128 c. 232 d. 128

b. 2128

Workflow, groupware, and telepresence systems are examples of which network application? a. Communications b. Collaboration c. Discovery d. Web services e. None of these

b. Collaboration

_____________ are high speed central networks to which multiple smaller networks connect. a. Routers b. Corporate backbone networks c. Network servers d. Local area networks

b. Corporate backbone networks

Which of the following is a benefit of e-learning? a. Integrity b. Cost c. Interaction d. Computer literacy

b. Cost

E-learning refers to learning supported by ____________. a. The Internet b. The Web c. An extranet d. An intranet

b. The Web

Where in a domain name do you find the top-level domain (TLD)? a. All the way to the left b. A TLD is not found within the domain name c. All the way to the right

c. All the way to the right

Which of the following is not a basic function of transmission control protocol? a. Managing the movement of packets between computers b. Sequencing the transfer of packets c. Analyzing the packets for size d. Acknowledging that packets have been transferred

c. Analyzing the packets for size

The following can be considered as broadband technologies: (choose all that are correct) a. Dial-up b. All of these c. DSL d. Cable

c. DSL and d. Cable

If broadband is not available in your area, which of the following Internet connection methods would allows you to connect to the Internet? a. Cable Modem b. You would be able to connect using any of these methods c. Satellite d. DSL

c. Satellite

Telepresence is a version of: a. Unified communication b. A portal c. Videoconferencing d. Email

c. Videoconferencing

Networks enable which of the following applications? a. Discovery b. Collaboration c. Communications d. All of these

d. All of these

Most internet search engines maintain an index of billions of Web pages. These indexes are updated using: a. Dedicated employees b. A combination of all of these c. The users of the search engine d. Automated webcrawlers

d. Automated webcrawlers

A modem can perform which of the following operations? a. Modems do not convert signals b. Convert digital signals to analog signals only c. Convert analog signals to digital signals only d. Both of the following are correct: Convert analog signals to digital signals only; and convert digital signals to analog signals only

d. Both of the following are correct: Convert analog signals to digital signals only; and convert digital signals to analog signals only

An Intranet that allows limited access to its partners, suppliers, and customers is called a(n): a. Secure intranet b. Portal c. Corporate Web site d. Extranet

d. Extranet

Which of the following is NOT a reason MOOCs have grown? a. Improved technology b. Convenience c. Rapidly increasing costs of traditional universities d. High pass rate

d. High pass rate

Place the different types of computer networks in size order, ranging from smallest to largest. a. PAN-MAN-LAN-WAN b. LAN-PAN-MAN-WAN c. PAN-MAN-WAN-LAN d. PAN-LAN-MAN-WAN

d. PAN-LAN-MAN-WAN

With __________, phone calls are treated as just another kind of data. a. Chat rooms b. Teleconference c. Internet relay chat d. Voice over IP e. Plain old telephone service

d. Voice over IP