A1 - Modern Technologies

Ad Hoc Network

A network created when two wireless devices connect to each other directly.

Open WiFi

is Wifi that is provided without the need to enter a password. This is often found in cafes, parks, train stations etc. (not an ad hoc)

Network Key

- code, provided only to authorised network users

Tethering

The process of sharing an Internet connection from one mobile device to another.

Personal Hotspot

is using a phones internet connectivity when connected to a device to access the internet from the laptop.

5 Benefits of Ad Hoc Networks

- Provide access to the internet in most locations.

- Simple to set up an internet connection.

- Allow users to work in places other than their workplace.

- Open wifi saves users from using their data allowance.

- Personal hotspots allow multiple devices to have internet connection.

6 Issues with Ad Hoc Networks

Open WiFi doesnt have encryption, so sent and received data is not too secure and can be intercepted and read.

Ad Hoc Networks are usually secure enough to send emails and use internet.

Several users when tethering = slow data transfer as they share the same network connection

Public WiFi hotspots may be slow if there's a lot of people using at same time

Ad Hoc Networks have limited range so any devices need to be close

Signal is weak otherwise

5 Network Availability Issues

- Blackspots- buildings, tunnels, geographic feature- cause areas where network connection is poor or non-existent or block it all together

- Mobile Network coverage- high-speed networks are available in most cities but there are other locations where signal doesn't reach. Differences between service providers.

- Available Infrastructure- streaming requires large amounts of data sent continuously over the network. This places a strain on network infrastructure

- Developing countries- lack money to invest in network and difficulty managing resources to set up advanced network

- Rural Areas- high cost to Install is coverage may be poor

Encryption

scrambles information into an alternative form that requires a key or password to decrypt

Hacking

unauthorised access to data in a computer system

4 Uses of Cloud Storage

- files, folders stored on remote servers (the cloud)

- upload files from any device

- access files- can be downloaded from the cloud to the device(s)

- give user access to other users so they can access them to

Server

a computer that provides services to multiple users

7 Benefits of Cloud Storage

- Accessed by any device that has an internet connection.

- Available 24/7 in any location.

- Users can share access to their files.

- Automatically synchronises any changes across all devices.

- Stores backups of files.

- Scalability

- Storage provider is responsible for security.

4 Drawbacks of Cloud Storage

- Some require an internet connection to use.

- Cloud storage systems that store data locally on devices may suffer delays in synchronisation if the internet is slow or non-existent.

- The more data to be stored is more expensive.

- Users have no control over the set up or management of the servers where they are storing their files.

Cloud computing

Online applications running on a remote server in the cloud

4 Benefits of using cloud computing applications

- provider maintains/updates- organisation not responsible for updating/maintaining software

- installation not required- saves technician time, local computers require less processing/storage capacity- organisation can buy/rent less expensive machines

- cost effective- pays for service it requires and can scale up, software licenses not required

- employees run the same version of software- consistency of file types/features, access/use files created by others from any location with internet, less training/support.

platform

a computer or device and the operating dystem on which applications run

4 Collaboration tools when file sharing at the same time

Comments - can be left for questions/suggestions. can be seen and replied to.

Version History - can see what changes, by who and when. restore if mistake

chat - can text message in real time to discuss

suggested edits - review suggested changes before agreeing to them or going on

6 aspects that would influence choice of platforms and cloud services

screen size/ usability/ portability

interface design

suitability for intended purpose

compatibility with existing systems

speed of connectivity

hardware

How would screen size, portability and usability influence choice of platform and cloud services?

desktops/laptops with larger screens and full size keyboards = easier to use for many tasks

hwv, less portable

mobile devices are ideal when working remotely

How would interface design influence choice of platform and cloud services?

sometimes, functions may be limited when using the same platform on different devices (e.g. some features mightnt appear on smaller screens)

How would suitability influence choice of platform and cloud services?

a cloud application may not be suited for the purpose the organization wants to use it for.

How would compatibility with other systems influence choice of platform and cloud services?

if an app is not available on a cloud platform, it will limit the user's access to cloud technologies

some cloud technologies may offer similar apps to those traditionally used on a PC but display them in their own format. features and functions may be similar but not identical, therefore some parts of a document may be displayed differently or not at all

How would speed of connectivity influence choice of platform and cloud services?

where a device is dependent on a WiFi connection or a mobile data connection, user's experience of an app may be poor if signal strength is low

How would hardware influence choice of platform and cloud services?

hardware requirements such as disk size and processor speed become less important when using cloud technologies and storage because data is not stored locally on the user's device, some of it is done remotely.

7 features of cloud services

accessibility across devices

methods of working (traditional app features vs cloud app features)

security (sensitivity might require own systems than risk of a third-party cloud service)

free or paid for? (free versions but limited)

storage

ease of use (necessity of training or technical support)

frequency of updates (downtime if done on traditional)

6 benefits of online working

reduces amount of processing and storage required on the local computer

allows a user to share the same file across multiple devices to work across different devices at different times

supports remote working as files are available wherever the user is

files can easily be shared with others

employees can work together by viewing and editing files at the same time

workers can use collaboration tools such as shared calendars, online meetings, video conferences

synchronisation

The process whereby the data between devices are kept consistent. Any change to data stored on one device is replicated on the other device.

for cloud and traditional systems being mixed together, apps and files must be regularly synchronised so that all devices have access to the same content

4 benefits of notifications within cloud technology

lets you know when a shared file has been edited by another user

alert you to who has changed what in files shared by multiple users

warn you if you try to save a version of a file that is older than the one stored in the cloud

remind you when online meetings are about to take place

what is a disaster recovery policy

a policy which sets out the actions an organisation needs to take to enable it to restore its systems as quickly as possible following a disaster, from a fire to a natural disaster to a hack.

why do organisations typically not require a similar disaster recovery policy for services on the cloud

services and data usually stored in a remote location son would not be affected by physical damage to an organisation's systems and premises

data is regularly backed up in the cloud so only data not stored in the cloud or not yet synchronised would be lost - minimal

things to consider when choosing a cloud service provider

providers system compatibility with organisation's current systems

compatible interface for ease of use

security policy and procedures to ensure only the organisation has access to data

cyber security policies to deal with threats

backup policies and procedures

disaster recovery plan

how does maintenance differ between traditional and cloud services?

traditional :

-organisation is responsible for setting up and maintaining servers

-complex task with software updates involved which could cause downtime for updates

-need to employ IT staff to carry out support and maintenance of servers - difficult to find, expensive to employ

cloud services :

-provider is responsible fr maintenance of servers

-has resources to employ skilled staff

-has enough servers to swap between them to minimise downtime

what happens when a server suffers downtime

servers go offline

staff are unable to access cloud services

caused by

software update

cyber attack

power failure

how does set up differ between traditional and cloud services?

traditional :

-required IT infrastructure takes time and money

-hardware=ordered,delivered,set up,tested

cloud services :

-quicker and cheaper because provider already has services and security processes set up and running

how does performance differ between traditional and cloud services?

cloud services :

-reliable, high-speed internet connection is required to ensure a good performance

-available in fixed location via fibre optic internet connections

-remote workers mobile devices rely on slow speed connections so not reliable

traditional :

-very large files mightnt work best on cloud services