Exe mba10 q1-mis_netw.& comm. tech._sarjeevan&sudeep

NETWORKING & COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES

By

SARJEEVAN SAINBHI & SUDEEP PANICKER
ID No.: 20104006 / 20104008

Course Faculty:
MR. PARAG SANGHANI

A Project Report Submitted as part-fulfillment of the course titled:
Management Information System in 15-Month Executive MBA Programme
(Jan. 2011- Mar. 2012)

SCHOOL OF PETROLEUM MANAGEMENT (SPM),
PANDIT DEENDAYAL PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY,
GANDHINAGAR (GUJARAT)

21st March 2011

Sarjeevan sainbhi (20104006) & Sudeep Panicker (20104008)

Abstract

This Project report covers various networking and communication technologies that
are part of an individual & Enterprise.

The broad term "Network Computing" represents a way of designing systems to take
advantage of the latest technology and maximize its positive impact on business solutions
and their ability to serve their customers.

The advancement of technology has had an enormous impact on the world.
Communication technology in particular has drastically changed the way society operates.
With new advances in communication being developed constantly, people are becoming
more and more reliant on the benefits they provide. Communication technology has
become significantly important in the realms of education, business, politics, interpersonal
interactions and crisis responses.

This project report describes in brief the working of various networking and
communication technologies available to an individual & enterprises to carrying out their
operation easily and more efficiently.

Networking & communication Technologies


Acknowledgement

We would like to thanks our Course Faculty Mr. Parag Sanghani for this

opportunity & also our batch-mates for providing valued suggestion for

improvement, which really helped us in improving the content & coverage of this

project report.

__________________ __________________

Sarjeevan sainbhi Sudeep Panicker

March 2011



Networking & Communication Technologies

Content: Page no.

1.0 Information Networks & Network Computing 5

2.0 Communication Technology 21

3.0 Conclusion 29

4.0 References 30



1.0 Information Networks & Network Computing

Information networks are networks that transmit information in versatile human
and technical networks to enhance knowledge, business or social aims. They may use
information portals or other types of collaborative networking for sharing information.

Essentially, information network is linked to exchanging information between
individuals and interest groups within and between human institutions such as companies,
universities, research organizations, and communities.

The broad term "Network Computing" represents a way of designing systems to take
advantage of the latest technology and maximize its positive impact on business solutions
and their ability to serve their customers.

1. 1 Network Computing drivers
Various information services – data and documents, voice and video – have
functioned independently of each other. Traditionally, they were transmitted using different
protocols and carried on different networks as shown in Table 1.1 & Figure 1.1.
Table 1.1
Networks, protocols, and transfer methods of information services
Information Network Format Protocol Transfer method
service
Data and Packet Converted to TCP Each packet can take a
documents (broken in to) (Transmission different route to the
packets based on Control destination where the
internet protocol Protocols) packets are recompiled. If
(IP) a packet does not arrive,
the transmission is resent.
Voice Circuit Sent as analog Whether analog or digital,
signals between each call creates a circuit
the telephone and that reserves a channel
Telco’s central between two parties for
office (called local the entire session. The
loop). Traffic entire message follows
between the same path in order.
telephone offices
is digital.
Video Packet Compressed and UDP (User No checking for missing
Streams converted to IP Datagram packets. Malformed
Packets. Protocol) packets are simply
dropped (i.e. discarded)

Networking & communication Technologies Page 5 of 30


Figure – 1.1
TCP/IP & UDP Difference

To prepare data and documents for transmission, they are converted in to digital
packets based on the Internet protocol (IP) and sent via computer (i.e. packet- switched)
networks or LAN. As shown in table 1.1, packets are transmitted using the transmission
control protocols (TCP), which provides a reliable, connection-oriented method of packet
delivery. This combination of protocols is referred to as TCP/IP Model. Voice is sent as
analog signals over circuits on telephone (circuit-switched) networks. Video streams are
compressed and sent as IP packets using the User Datagram protocols (UDP). This
combination of protocols is referred to as UDP / IP model.

1.2 Packet technologies

Packet technologies converts voice, videos, and data in to packets that can be
transmitted together over a single, high speed network – eliminating the need for separate
networks. High speed networks can be wire line, wireless, or both. These networks are more
commonly called broadband, which comes from the word broad bandwidth. Figure 1.2 &
1.3 outlines the components for wire line & wireless Broadband network.

Examples:
Tikona broadband, Hathway broadband & Airtel broadband.



Figure 1.2
Wire line broadband

Figure 1.3
Wire-less broadband



1.3 Converged networks

A converged network is a powerful new architecture that enables the enterprise
wide convergence and integration of voice, data, video, and other communication
applications. Improved collaboration along the entire supply chain – partners, suppliers, and
customers – is possible. With a single converged network, companies can improve their
business-to –business (B2B) and business- to – Customer (B2C) processes.

Examples:
IBM Network Solutions – Convergent network provider

1.4 The Internet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the
standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network
of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government
networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless
and optical networking technologies.

Figure 1.4
Internet



1.5 The intranets

An intranet is a network designed to serve the internal information needs of a
company, using internet concepts and tools. It is network confined to an organization for its
internal use. It provides easy and inexpensive browsing and search capabilities. Intranet can
be implemented using different types of local area network (LAN- Refer Figure 1.5)
technologies including wireless LANs.

Examples:
Pragma Systems Corporation - processMax(tm), an intranet web-based product

Figure 1.5
LAN

1.6 The Extranet.

An extranet is a private (company-owned) network that uses internet technology
and the public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business’s information
or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. Extranets
may use virtual private networks (VPNs – Refer Figure 1.6). VPNs are, in effect, private
tunnels within a public network (typically, the internet) created by encryption.

Example:
www.URdata.UR.com – United Rentals’ extranet portals (online)



Figure 1.6
VPN

As shown in Figure 1.6, Authorization ensures that only trusted hosts can gain
network access. If a computer has not logged in with the VPN gateway (GTA firewall), the
connection is denied (1a). If a computer provides authorization credentials such as a
password and pre-shared secret, the VPN gateway adds the computer to its list of
computers allowed to connect (1b).

1.7 Information Portals

To avoid losing a lot of productive employee time, companies use portals. A portal
(or information portal) is a web-based personalized gateway to information and knoweledge
in network computing. It attempts to minimize information overload through the intranet-
based environment to search and access information from disparate IT system and the
internet using advanced search and indexing techniques.

Some types of portals are :



 Corporate (enterprise) portals : are gateways to corporate websites that enables
communication, collaboration, and access to company information. Ta corporate
portal is a personalized, single point of access through a web browser to critical
business information located inside and outside of an organization.

 Commercial portal : Such as yahoo! and MSN are gateways to general information
on the internet.

 Decision Portals : Provides team members with the models they can use to evaluate
decisions criteria, objectives and alternatives form their desktops

 Publishing portals : Are intenede for communities with specific interests. These
portals involve relatively little customization of content, but they provide extensive
online search in a specific area and some interactive capabilities.
Example:
www.techweb.com and www.zdnet.com

 Mobile portals : Are those accessible from mobile devices. One example is NTT
DOCOMO’s i-mode portal in japan, which has over 42 million subscribers in japan.

 Voice Portals : Are web portals with audio interfaces that make them accessible via a
standard cell phone. Using advanced speech recognition and text-to-speech
techniques, voice porals allow users to retrieve e-mails, credit card data, airline flight
information, and so on.
Example:
OnMobile, One97, Cellebrum ( Now Spice Digital)

 Vertical portals: Also called vortals, target specific markets. Vortals usually offer
relevant news headlines, industry event calenders, links to related sites, and lists of
vendors and business that offer pertainment products and services. E.g. are
pharmaceutical online at pharmaceuticalonline.com and bakery online at
bakeryonline.com.

1.8 Search engines, directories and enterprise search

A web search engine is designed to search for information on the World Wide Web
and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) servers. The search results are generally presented in a list
of results and are often called hits (Refer Figure 1.7 & 1.10). The information may consist of
web pages, images, information and other types of files. Some search engines also mine
data available in databases or open directories. Unlike web directories, which are



maintained by human editors, search engines operate algorithmically or are a mixture of
algorithmic and human input.

Figure 1.7
Search engines

A web directory or link directory is a directory on the World Wide Web. It specializes
in linking to other web sites and categorizing those links (Refer Figure 1.8 & 1.10).

A web directory is not a search engine and does not display lists of web pages based
on keywords; instead, it lists web sites by category and subcategory. Most web directory
entries are also not found by web crawlers but by humans. Web directories often allow site
owners to directly submit their site for inclusion, and have editors review submissions for
fitness.



Figure 1.8
Web directories

"Enterprise Search" is used to describe the software of search information within an
enterprise (though the search function and its results may still be public). Enterprise search
can be contrasted with web search, which applies search technology to documents on the
open web, and desktop search, which applies search technology to the content on a single
computer (Refer Figure 1.9 & 1.10)

Enterprise search systems index data and documents from a variety of sources such
as: file systems, intranets, document management systems, e-mail, and databases. Many
enterprise search systems integrate structured and unstructured data in their collections.



Figure 1.9
Enterprise searching

Figure 1.10
Examples - Search engines, web directories & Enterprise search



1.9 Blogs & web logging (Blogging)

A blog (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs
are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of
events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in
reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add
content to a blog (Refer Figure 1.11).

Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message
each other via widgets on the blogs and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from
other static websites.

Examples:
www.blogger.com – free weblog publishing tool from Google.

Figure 1.11
Blog basics

1.10 Internet Forum

An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can
hold conversations in the form of posted messages. Depending on the access level of a user
and/or the forum set-up, a posted message might need to be approved by a moderator
before it becomes visible (Refer Figure 1.12)



Forums have a specific set of jargon associated with them; e.g. a single conversation
is called a 'thread'.

The power of forums comes in letting visitors create their own conversations as long
as they fit into the category listed. Visitors of a forum usually know how much a fellow
visitor has been a member of the forum – it is usually shown in together with the member’s
details alongside every post.

Examples:
www.forum.nokia.com etc.

Figure 1.12
Forum basics

1.11 Wikis

A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked
web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or other text editor. Wikis
are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborative works.
Examples include community websites, corporate intranets, knowledge management
systems, and note services. The software can also be used for personal note taking. (Refer
Figure 1.13)



Example:
www.wikipedia.com

Figure 1.13
How wikis works

1.12 Podcasting

A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital media files (either audio or
video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication. The
word usurped webcast in common vernacular, the word podcast is made famous from iPod
due to rising popularity and the innovation of web feeds (Refer Figure 1.14)

The mode of delivery differentiates podcasting from other means of accessing media
files over the Internet, such as direct download, or streamed webcasting. A list of all the audio
or video files currently associated with a given series is maintained centrally on the
distributor's server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client
application software known as a pod catcher that can access this web feed, check it for
updates, and download any new files in the series. This process can be automated so that
new files are downloaded automatically. Files are stored locally on the user's computer or
other device ready for offline use, giving simple and convenient access to episodic content.
Commonly used audio file formats are Ogg Vorbis and MP3. In many respects, this is closer



to traditional publishing models associated with books and magazines (as opposed to radio,
which uses a live stream).

Example:
www.Podcasters.org - Podcasting people, apps, technology, and news

Figure 1.14
Podcasting

1.13 RSS

The Internet today contains a wealth of information. Information and web pages
make their way in to the favorite folder for later viewing. Over the course of time, re-visiting
these bookmarks becomes a major task for users especially as the number of bookmarks
grows. A better technique for users is to automatically receive information about updates to
their favorite websites (Refer Figure 1.15).

RSS (most commonly expanded as Really Simple Syndication) is a family of web
feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news
headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a
"feed", "web feed", or "channel") includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as
publishing dates and authorship. Web feeds benefit publishers by letting them syndicate
content automatically. They benefit readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from
favored websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be



read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader", or "aggregator", which can be
web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based.

Example:
Times of India RSS Feeds

Figure 1.15
Before and after the arrival of RSS

1.14 XML and XBRL

Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a set of rules for encoding documents in
machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and
several other related specifications. XML's design goals emphasize simplicity, generality, and
usability over the Internet. It is a textual data format with strong support via Unicode for the
languages of the world. Although the design of XML focuses on documents, it is widely used
for the representation of arbitrary data structures, for example in web services. (Refer
Figure 1.16)



Figure 1.16
XML

XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a freely available, market-driven,
open, and global standard for exchanging business information. XBRL allows information
modeling and the expression of semantic meaning commonly required in business
reporting. XBRL is XML-based (Refer Figure 1.17). It uses the XML syntax and related XML
technologies to articulate this semantic meaning. One use of XBRL is to define and exchange
financial information, such as a financial statement. The XBRL Specification is developed and
published by XBRL International, Inc. (XII).

Figure 1.17
XBRL



2.0 Communication Technology

According to Network World (networkworld.com), 90 % of employees work away
from their company’s headquarters and 40% work at remote locations, away from their
supervisors.

Information and communications technology usually called ICT is usually a more
general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of
telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), intelligent building management
systems and audio-visual systems in modern information technology. ICT consists of all
technical means used to handle information and aid communication, including computer
and network hardware, communication middleware as well as necessary software. In other
words, ICT consists of IT as well as telephony, broadcast media, all types of audio and video
processing and transmission and network based control and monitoring functions.

2.1 Importance of Communication Technology

The advancement of technology has had an enormous impact on the world.
Communication technology in particular has drastically changed the way society operates.
With new advances in communication being developed constantly, people are becoming
more and more reliant on the benefits they provide. Communication technology has
become significantly important in the realms of education, business, interpersonal
interactions and crisis responses.

1. Education
o Communication technology is drastically altering the field of communication.
With advances in email, instant messaging, chat and moderated forums,
educators and students have increased options when it comes to learning
and correspondence. Email and instant messaging have given students the
ability to contact their instructors at any time to ask for information or
guidance, allowing them to fully understand the materials and assignments
they are working with. Websites, forums and message boards have
transformed the classroom, allowing learning to take place online. This has
extended learning opportunities to more remote and isolated areas, giving
increased access to would be students.

2. Business
o Communication technology has become incredibly important for the world of
business. Smart phones, internet work spaces and video conferencing has
expanded the work place physically and length wise. Smart phones, such as



Blackberry phones and iPhones, give business people the ability to call, text
or email business associates any time from nearly any place.

3. Interpersonal Interactions
o Interpersonal interactions are becoming more and more dependent on
communication technology. Cell phones and their texting abilities have
spawned a generation that largely keeps in contact through short messages
sent in real time. Internet social networking sites like Face book, MySpace,
and Twitter has made it easier for individuals to cultivate a particular image
to project to the world, and for people to keep up on each other's lives. Video
conferencing services such as Skype allow for loved ones to talk to and see
each other over vast differences. In a fast paced society, these technologies
make maintenance of networks, friendships and other relationships easier to
navigate than ever.

Crisis Response
o When natural disasters strike, the ability to communicate with the outside
world is critical to adequate responses. Advancing communication
technology has played an integral role in facilitating those responses. Satellite
phone technology has created a way to maintain communication with the
outside world when other phone lines go down. The Internet has provided
ways for aid organizations like the Red Cross to get information about relief
efforts out to concerned citizens. Constant news coverage and dissemination
of information pertaining to humanitarian crises has put pressure on
governments to offer aid in these situations. The result of all of these
communication technologies interacting with a humanitarian crisis is the
delivery of more timely, pertinent aid to those who need it most.

2.2 Types of Communication Technologies

2.2.1 CDMA Technologies

Code division multiple access (CDMA) is a channel access method used by various
radio communication technologies. One of the basic concepts in data communication is the
idea of allowing several transmitters to send information simultaneously over a single
communication channel. This allows several users to share a band of frequencies. This
concept is called Multiple Access. CDMA employs spread-spectrum technology and a special
coding scheme (where each transmitter is assigned a code) to allow multiple users to be
multiplexed over the same physical channel.



2.2.2 GSM Technologies

Global System for Mobile Communications, or GSM (originally from Groupe Spécial
Mobile), is the world's most popular standard for mobile telephone systems. The GSM
Association estimates that 80% of the global mobile market uses the standard. GSM is used
by over 1.5 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories. This ubiquity
means that subscribers can use their phones throughout the world, enabled by international
roaming arrangements between mobile network operators.

The GSM standard has been an advantage to both consumers, who may benefit from
the ability to roam and switch carriers without replacing phones, and also to network
operators, who can choose equipment from many GSM equipment vendors. GSM also
pioneered low-cost implementation of the short message service (SMS), also called text
messaging, which has since been supported on other mobile phone standards as well. The
standard includes a worldwide emergency telephone number feature (112).

2.2.3 Edge Networks

Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) (also known as Enhanced GPRS
(EGPRS) or Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) is a digital mobile phone technology
that allows improved data transmission rates as a backward-compatible extension of GSM.
EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in 2003 — initially by Cingular (now AT&T)
in the United States.

Through the introduction of sophisticated methods of coding and transmitting data,
EDGE delivers higher bit-rates per radio channel, resulting in a threefold increase in capacity
and performance compared with an ordinary GSM/GPRS connection.

EDGE can be used for any packet switched application, such as an Internet
connection.

Evolved EDGE continues in Release 7 of the 3GPP standard providing reduced latency
and more than doubled performance e.g. to complement High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA).
Peak bit-rates of up to 1Mbit/s and typical bit-rates of 400kbit/s can be expected.

2.2.4 WI-FI Networks

Wi-Fi (Wireless fidelity) was invented by NCR Corporation/AT&T in 1991. A Wi-Fi
enabled device such as a personal computer, video game console, smart phone, or digital
audio player can connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected
to the Internet. 'Wi-Fi' is not a technical term. However, its use has been generally enforced
to describe only a narrow range of connectivity technologies including wireless local area



network (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 standards, device to device connectivity [such as
Wi-Fi Peer to Peer AKA Wi-Fi Direct], and a range of technologies that support LAN (Refer
Figure 1.18)

Figure 1.18
WI-FI

2.2.5 Voice over internet Protocols (VOIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (Voice over IP, VoIP) is one of a family of internet
technologies, communication protocols, and transmission technologies for delivery of voice
communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the
Internet. Other terms frequently encountered and often used synonymously with VoIP are
IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, and
broadband phone. (Refer Figure 1.19)



Figure 1.19
VOIP

2.2.6 WLAN (wireless Local Area Networks)

A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices using some wireless
distribution method (typically spread-spectrum or OFDM radio), and usually providing a
connection through an access point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to
move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network. (Refer
Figure 1.20)

Wireless LANs have become popular in the home due to ease of installation, and the
increasing popularity of laptop computers. Public businesses such as coffee shops and malls
have begun to offer wireless access to their customers; often for free. Large wireless
network projects are being put up in many major cities: New York City, for instance, has
begun a pilot program to provide city workers in all five boroughs of the city with wireless
Internet access.



Figure 1.20
WLAN

2.2.7 WiMax

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a telecommunications
protocol that provides fixed and mobile Internet access. The current WiMAX revision
provides up to 40 Mbit/s with the IEEE 802.16m update expected to offer up to 1 Gbit/s
fixed speeds. The name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in
June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard. The forum describes
WiMAX as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless
broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL" (Refer figure 1.21).



Figure 1.21
Wimax

2.28 Social networks

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called
"nodes", which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such
as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or
relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.

In its simplest form, a social network is a map of specified ties, such as friendship,
between the nodes being studied. The nodes to which an individual is thus connected are
the social contacts of that individual. The network can also be used to measure social capital
– the value that an individual gets from the social network. These concepts are often
displayed in a social network diagram, where nodes are the points and ties are the lines
(Refer Figure 1.22 & 1.23)



Figure 1.22
Social Networking

Figure 1.21
Examples Social network sites



3.0 Managerial Issues:

Organizational impact:
Technology-supported communications are having various organization impacts. The
primary business benefit of networks and mobile communications is keeping workers
connected.

Future of technology support:
From a technology perspective the second half of this decade will be seen as a
period in which technology moved to support collaboration. Whereas for the past five years
the computer industry has been focused on providing computing for the individuals (PC +
Laptop + notebook + PDA), the emphasis is now firmly on connectivity, communication and
collaboration

Extending Organizational Boundaries:
Extranets connects business to their customers and supply chain partners. As high-
bandwidth networks become increasingly common, collaborative networking solutions are
available for companies of any size.

Single view of the trust:
Information silos are the bane of most organizations as they try to integrate and
share data to get a clearer understanding of customer’s products, and other objects of
interest.

Social and ethical issues:
Social networks are redefining the way people communicate. Tools that are meant
to improve the productivity and quality of life in general can also intrude on the personal
lives of managers and employees.



4.0 References:

1. Efraim Turban. Information Technology for Management, 6th Edition. New Delhi :
John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte. Ltd, 2009.

2. Kenneth C. Laudon & Jane P. Laudon. Management information systems – Managing
the digital firm. India: Pearson Education Inc., 2009

3. www.google.com

4. www.wikipedia.com

5. www.ehow.com

6. http://www.wilcorpinc.com/wifi_history.htm

- End -


Exe mba10 q1-mis_netw.& comm. tech._sarjeevan&sudeep

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