Overview of Databases and Networking Concepts

Model

Simplified representation of a system that helps understand data.

Data rich

Having a lot of data; the more accurate data, the better.

Incomplete

No model is perfect; may miss some data and only shows relevant data.

Blueprint

Guides and helps structure ideas.

Physical components of a database

Servers, live in server farms/databases; can touch it, physical.

Example of physical component

Model train.

Logical components of a database

Entities are described by attributes; not physical.

Example of logical component

Entity: order; Attribute: order date.

Relational data model

2 dimensional table, columns and rows, like excel; columns define data (attributes) titles, rows store data.

Example of relational data model

Student name (column) and Student ID (row).

Database

Uses information to model something that is real; managed by systems like Oracle, MySQL, etc.

DBA

Database administrator; maintains and secures operating databases.

DBMS

Database management system; allows users to create and manage data, acts as an interface between users and the database.

SQL

Structured query language; a query is a question or search within a database.

Enterprise applications

Support enterprise (company) level tasks; expensive, complex, sophisticated,

Example of enterprise application

CRM (database used by companies).

EDW

Enterprise data warehouse; logically centralized large databases.

EDW architecture

Input > process > output; organizing data to be mined.

ETL

Extract, transform, load; used to clean up data.

Datamart

Specific unit/data; has data and answers within data.

Data cube

Layers of info; organizes lots of data.

Data mining

Identifying patterns and extracting data.

OLAP

Online analytical processing; ability to talk to a computer in real time.

In memory BI

Data needed will be in RAM; RAM is best for current use, volatile.

Structured vs unstructured

Structured needs to be right size to be organized; unstructured means difficult to search, unpredictable, bigger.

Network

Any number of machines that talk to each other.

Protocol

Formal set of rules.

Bandwidth

Max network speed; width of 'pipe'.

Throughput

Actual data transfer rate through networks.

Types of transmission media

POTS, TP/twisted pair, Coaxial, STP, Fiber optics.

Router

Connect networks together; packet routing and filtering.

NFC

Near field communication; has shortest range, less than 4 inches.

Bluetooth

Shortest range of high speed wireless connection; uses radio frequency.

RFID

Radio frequency ID; catches shoplifters, EZpass, Amazon Go shopping.

WiFi

Two way short range; less than 1,000 feet.

VPN

Virtual private network; secure connection, encrypts internet traffic.

Connection methods

Circuit switched and packet switched.

Client/server architecture

Idea that we can store data in servers for people to access.

Service virtualization

Remotely hosted service, physical machine, remotely located.

Telephony

Transmission of voice and data using telephone.

VOIP

Voice over IP; digitalized voice carried as data.

Cloud

Network.

two tier

older, talking directly to database, not used anymore

three tier

better, servers remember where you left off on shows when switching devices, functionality servers

analog circuit switch

1G

digital circuit switch

2G

digital packet switch

best, 3-5G

ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning, a suite of applications, a database, and a set of inherent processes for consolidating business operations into a single, consistent, computing platform.

CRM

customer relationship management, a strategy and technology that businesses use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data, aiming to improve customer service

SCM

supply chain management, encompasses all activities involved in planning, sourcing, production, and distribution of goods and services, aiming to integrate supply and demand management within and across companies