BU250 Final Exam

bandwidth

the transmission capacity of a network, stated in bits per second; ranges from narrowband (low transmission capacity) to broadband (high network capacity)

personal area network (PANs)

short-range networks (typically a few meters) that are used for communication among devices close to one person

local area networks (LANs)

a network that connects two or more communications devices in a limited geographic area, usually within the same building, so that every user device on the network can communicate with every other device

file server/network server

a computer that contains various software and data files for a local area network and houses the LAN’s network operating system, which manages the server and routes and manages communications on the network

metropolitan area networks (MANs)

relatively large networks that cover a metropolitan area; falls between LANs and WANs in size

wide area networks (WANs)

a network, generally provided by common carriers (telephone companies) that covers a wide geographical area; have large capacities and typically combine multiple channels (fiber-optic cables, microwave, satellite, etc.); contain routers

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

enterprise network

an organization’s network, which is composed of interconnected multiple LANs and WANs; has a backbone network

backbone networks

high-speed central networks to which multiple smaller networks (LANs and smaller WANs) connect

software-defined networks (SDNs)

an emerging technology that is becoming increasingly important to help organizations manage their data flow across their enterprise networks; decisions that control how network traffic flows across network devices are managed centrally by software; software dynamically adjusts data flows to meet business and application needs

wireline/cable media

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

twisted-pair wire

a communications medium consisting of strands of copper wire twisted together in pairs

* inexpensive


* widely available
* easy to work with

advantages of twisted-pair wire

* slow for transmitting data (low bandwidth)
* subject to interference from other electrical sources
* easily tapped by unintended recipients to gain unauthorized access to data (low security)

disadvantages of twisted-pair wire

coaxial cable

insulated copper wire used to carry high-speed data traffic and television signals (thus the term cable TV)

* higher bandwidth than twisted-pair wire and can carry much more data
* less susceptible to electromagnetic interference

advantages of coaxial cable

* relatively expensive and inflexible
* easily tapped (low to medium security)
* somewhat difficult to worth with

disadvantages of coaxial cable

fiber-optic cable

a communication medium consisting of thousands of very thin filaments of glass fibers, surrounded by cladding, that transmit information through pulses of light generated by lasers; typically used as the backbone for a network

cladding

a coating that prevents the light from leaking out of the fiber

* smaller and lighter than traditional cable media
* very high bandwidth and can transmit far more data
* relatively expensive
* difficult to tap or interfere (good security)

advantages of fiber-optic cable

* difficult to work with

disadvantages of fiber-optic cable

wireless/broadcast media

communications channels that use electromagnetic media (the “airwaves) to transmit data; transmit signals without wires

microwave transmission system

a wireless system that uses microwaves for high-volume, long-distance, line-of-sight (point-to-point) communication; transmit data through electromagnetic waves; offer only a limited solution to data communications needs, especially over long distances

line-of-sight

the transmitter and receiver are in view of each other

satellite transmission systems

a wireless transmission system that uses satellites for broadcast communications; must receive and transmit data through line-of-sight; uses broadcast transmission, which sends signals to many receivers at one time; reaches a large area of Earth’s surface overcoming the limitations of microwave data relay stations

radio transmission

uses radio-wave frequencies to send data directly between transmitters and receivers

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

* manages the movement of data packets between computers by establishing a connection between computers
* sequences the transfer of packets
* acknowledges the packets that have been transmitted

three basic functions TCP performs

internet protocol (IP)

a set of rules responsible for disassembling, delivering, and reassembling the data during the transmission and packets over the Internet

packet switching

the transmission technology that divides blocks of text into packets; each packet travels independently across the network and can be routed through different paths in the network; use the TCP/IP to carry their data

1. application layer
2. transport layer
3. internet layer
4. network interface layer

four layers TCP/IP function in

application layer

layer enables client application programs to access the other layers, and it defines the protocols that applications use to exchange data

hypertext transfer/transport protocol (HTTP)

the communications standard used to transfer pages across the WWW portion of the Internet; defines how messages are formulated and transmitted, and how they are interpreted by their receivers

transport layer

layer provides the application layer with communication and packet services; layer includes TCP and other protocol

Internet layer

layer responsible for addressing, routing, and packaging data packets; IP is one of the protocols in this layer

network interface layer

layer places packets on, and receives them from, the network medium, which can be any networking technology

Internet

a massive global WAN that connects approximately 1 million organization computer networks in more than 200 countries on all continents; enables people to access data in other organizations and to communicate, collaborate, and exchange information seamlessly around the work, quickly, and inexpensively

Internet backbone

primary network connections and telecommunications lines that link the computers and organizational nodes of the Internet; a fiber-optic network that is operated primarily by large telecommunications companies

intranet

a private network that uses Internet software and TCP/IP protocols; uses Internet protocols so that users can take advantage of familiar applications and work habits; support discovery, communication, and collaboration inside an organization

extranet

a network that connects parts of the intranets of different organizations; enables business partners to communicate securely over the Internet using virtual private networks (VPNs); offer limited accessibility to the intranets of participating companies, as well as necessary interorganizational communications

world wide web (WWW)

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

brick and mortar organizations

organizations in which the product, the process, and the delivery agent are all physical

virtual organizations

organizations in which the product, the process, and the delivery agent are all digital; companies engaged only in electronic commerce

clicks and mortar organizations

organizations that do business in both the physical and digital dimensions

electronic commerce (e-commerce)

the process of buying, selling, transferring, or exchanging products, services, or information through computer networks, including the Internet; narrower than e-business

electronic business (e-business)

a broader definition of electronic commerce, including buying and selling of goods and services, and servicing customers, collaborating with business partners, conducting e-learning, and conducting electronic transactions within an organization

business-to-business electronic commerce (B2B)

both the sellers and the buyers are business organizations; compromises the vast majority of EC volume

mobile commerce (m-commerce)

e-commerce that is conducted entirely in the wireless environment

electronic storefront

a website that represents a single store

electronic market place

a central, virtual market space on the Web where many buyers and many sellers conduct electronic business activities (e-commerce and e-business activities); associated with B2B electronic commerce

* lack of universally accepted security standards
* in less developed countries, telecommunications bandwidth is often insufficient, and accessing the Web is expensive
* nontechnological limitation is the perception that EC is nonsecure
* unresolved legal issues
* lacks a critical mass of buyers and sellers

limitations of e-commerce

vertical exchange

connect buyers and sellers in a given industry; offer services that are particularly suited to the community they serve; frequently owned and managed by a group of major players in an industry

cybersquatting

the practice of registering or using domain names for the purpose of profiting from the goodwill or the trademark that belongs to someone else

domain names

the name assigned to an Internet site, which consists of multiple parts, separated by dots, that are translated/read from right to left

cookies

store your tracking history on your personal computer’s hard drive, and anytime you revisit a certain website, the server recognizes the cookie

dematerialization

occurs when the functions of many physical devices are included in one other physical device (smartphones have many functions including a digital camera, GPS, calculator, etc.)

* high bandwidth
* relatively inexpensive

advantages of microwave

* must have an unobstructed line-of-sign
* susceptible to environmental interference

disadvantages of microwave

* high bandwidth
* large coverage area

advantages of satellite

* expensive
* must have unobstructed line-of-sight
* signals experience propagation delay
* must use encryption for security

disadvantages of satellite

propagation delay

any delay in communications from signal transmission time through a physical medium

* high bandwidth (transmit data at high speeds)
* signals pass through walls
* inexpensive and easy to install

advantages of radio

* creates electrical interference problems
* susceptible to snooping unless encrypted
* signal can break when traveling too far from the source station

disadvantages of radio

* satellites stationary relative to point on Earth
* maintain a fixed position above Earth’s surface, so receivers on Earth do not have to track these satellites
* few satellites needed for global coverage
* transmission delay (approximately 0.25 seconds)
* this delay makes two-way telephone conversations difficult
* can be disrupted by environmental conditions
* most expensive to build and launch
* longest orbital life (many years)
* orbit = 22,300 miles
* number = 8
* use → TV signals
* satellites are excellent for sending television programs to cable operators and for broadcasting directly to homes
* provides Internet services to remote areas on Earth

geostationary-earth-orbit (GEO)

* satellites move relative to point on Earth
* receivers must track these satellites
* moderate number needed for global coverage
* footprints are smaller, so they require more satellites to cover Earth
* requires medium-powered transmitters
* negligible transmission delay
* less expensive to build and launch
* moderate orbital life (6 to 12 years)
* orbit = 6,434 miles
* number = 10 to 12
* use → global positioning systems (GPS)

medium-earth-orbit (MEO)

global positioning system (GPS)

a wireless system that uses satellites to enable users to determine their position anywhere on Earth

* satellites move rapidly relative to point on Earth
* must be tracked by receivers, but can be difficult because satellites move more quickly relative to a point on Earth
* large number needed for global coverage
* footprints of these satellites are small
* requires only low-power transmitters
* negligible transmission delay
* much closer to Earth, so they have little propagation delay
* least expensive to build and launch
* shortest orbital life (as low as five years)
* orbit = 400 to 700 miles
* number = many
* use → telephone, Internet
* satellites can pick up signals from weak transmitters which makes it possible for satellite telephones to operate through Leo satellites, because they can operate with less power using smaller batteries

low-earth-orbit (LEO)

wireless network biggest problem

lack of security

* rogues access point
* war driving
* eavesdropping
* radio frequency jamming

four major threats to wireless networks

rogue access point

* an unauthorized access point into a wireless network
* could be someone in your organization who sets up an access point meaning no harm but fails to inform the IT department
* in an evil twin attack, the attacker is in the vicinity with a Wi-Fi enabled computer and a separate connection the Internet
* using a hot spotter (a device that detects wireless networks and provides information on them), the attack simulates a wireless access point with the same wireless network name, or SSID, as the one that authorized users expect

war driving

act of locating WLANs while driving (or walking) around a city or elsewhere

eavesdropping

efforts by unauthorized users to access data that are traveling over wireless networks

radio frequency jamming

a person or a device intentionally or unintentionally interferes with your wireless network transmissions

near-field communication (NFC)

the smallest of the short-range wireless networks that is designed to be embedded in mobile devices like cell phones and credit cards

throughput

the rate of message delivery over a communication channel; measure of how many units of information a system can process in a given amount of time; amount of a product or service that a company can produce and deliver to a client within a specified period of time

Internet of things (IoT)

a system in which objects, animals, and people are provided with unique identifiers (ex: own IP address) and the ability to automatically transfer data and information over a network (the Internet) without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computing interaction

big data

a collection of data that is so large and complex that it is difficult to manage using traditional database management systems

intraorganizational processes

processes that originate and conclude within the company

procurement process

a cross-functional business process that originates when a company needs to acquire goods or services from external sources and concludes when the company receives and pays for them (company purchases goods from a vendor)

order fulfillment process

a cross-functional business process that originates when the company receives a customer order and concludes when it receives a payment from the customer (company sells goods to a customer)

production process

a cross-functional business process in which a company produces physical goods; does not occur in all companies because not all companies produce physical goods

dashboards

special form of IS that supports all managers of the organization; provide rapid access to timely information direct access to structured information in the form of reports

business process improvement (BPI)

less radical, less disruptive, and more incremental approach to working around business processes; moving an organization toward business process centered operations; focuses on reducing variation in the process outputs by searching for root causes of the variation in the process itself or among the process inputs

business process reengineering (BPR)

radical redesign of a strategy for making an organization’s business processes more productive and profitable; key is for enterprises to examine their business processes from a “clean sheet” perspective and then determine how they can reconstruct those processes to improve business functions; many found this strategy too difficult and overwhelming for the business

globalization

the integration and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, and ecological facets of life, made possible by rapid advances in information technology

bargaining power of suppliers

supplier power is high when buyers have few choices from whom to buy and low when buyers have many choices; organizations would rather have more potential suppliers, so they are in a stronger position to negotiate price, quality, and delivery terms; suppliers enable buyers to find alternative suppliers and to compare prices easily which reduces the supplier’s bargaining powers

bargaining power of customers (buyers)

buyer power is high when buyers have many choices from whom to buy and low when buyers have few choices; loyalty programs reduce buyer power since customers who receive perks from loyalty programs are less likely to do business with competitors

ethics

the principles of right and wrong that individuals use to make choices that guide their behaviors

* utilitarian approach
* rights approach
* fairness approach
* common good approach
* deontology approach

5 ethical approaches

utilitarian approach

an ethical action is the one that provides the most good or does the least harm; ethical corporate action would be the one that produces the greatest good and does the least harm for all affected parties

rights approach

an ethical action is the one that best protects and respects the moral rights of the affected parties; moral rights can include the rights to make one’s own choices about what kind of life to lead, to be told the truth, not to be injured, and to enjoy a degree of privacy; an ethical organization action would be one that protects and respects the moral rights of customers, employees, shareholders, business partners, and competitors

fairness approach

ethical actions treat all human beings equally, or, if unequally, then fairly, based on some defensible standard

common good approach

highlights the interlocking relationships that underlie all societies; thinking about the community as a whole and not just decisions based on what is best for yourself; argues that respect and compassion for all others are the basis for ethical actions; emphasizes the common conditions that are important to the welfare of everyone

deontology approach

the morality of an action is based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules rather than based on the consequences of that action

accessibility

revolves around who should have access to information and whether they should pay a fee for this access

opt-in-model of informed consent

prohibits an organization from collecting any personal information unless the customer specifically authorizes it; preferred by Europe

opt-out-model of informed consent

permits the company to collect personal information until the customer specifically requests that the data not be collected; typically used by the US

social engineering

an attack in which the perpetrator uses social skills to trick or manipulate legitimate employees into providing confidential company information such as passwords; getting around security systems by tricking computer users inside a company into revealing sensitive information or gaining unauthorized access privileges

patent

a document that grants the holder exclusive rights on an invention or process for a specified period of time, currently 20 years

transference

a process in which an organization transfers the risk by using other means to compensate for a loss, such as by purchasing insurance