MGS 351: Introduction to Management Information Systems

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering networking infrastructure, systems development methodologies, Access database queries, relational database design and normalization, and information security/ethics from MGS 351.

Computer Network

Two or more computers connected together so that they can communicate with each other and share information, software, peripheral devices, and/or processing power.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

An expansion card or integrated device that connects a computer to a network and provides the doorway for information to flow in and out, available in wired or wireless formats.

Network Hub

A hardware device that connects multiple computers into a network by broadcasting incoming data packets to all connected ports.

Switch (Networking)

A networking device that connects multiple computers into a network in which multiple communications links can be in operation simultaneously.

Router

A device that acts as a smart hub connecting computers into a network while simultaneously separating that network from any other network it connects to.

Network Hub vs. Switch vs. Router (Traffic Analogy)

A visual comparison where a hub operates like a four-way stop intersection (where data packets wait), a switch functions like an overpass interchange allowing multiple simultaneous paths, and a router functions like a divided highway system with security/toll gates separating distinct networks.

Bounded Media

Physical, wired transmission media used to connect devices, including twisted-pair wire (telephone, Ethernet), coaxial cable (cable TV), and fiber-optic cable (DWDM).

Unbounded Media

Wireless transmission media that transmit signals through the air, including microwave radio (Bluetooth, WiFi), communication satellites, infrared, and high-frequency radios.

Networking Protocol

A set of rules and formats—including identical character meanings, timing and sequencing rules, and error detection/correction methods—that ensure efficient, error-free communication between different devices.

IPv4 vs. IPv6

Internet addressing standards where IPv4 uses $32$-bit addresses yielding approximately $4.3\text{ billion}$ unique addresses, whereas IPv6 uses $128$-bit hexadecimal notation providing approximately $340\text{ undecillion}$ addresses ($3.4 \times 10^{38}$).

Domain Name System (DNS)

The system that maps human-friendly domain names (such as buffalo.edu) to machine-readable IP addresses using domain name servers.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network classification that covers a limited geographic distance, such as an office, a single building, or a group of buildings in close proximity.

Packet Switching

A communication method that breaks messages into individual packets containing packet number, message number, destination, and data, routing them independently across the network before reassembling them at the destination.

Organizational Network Boundary Model

The multi-tiered architecture showing how network access expands outwards from an internal Intranet (LAN for employees), through an Extranet (for suppliers, customers, and partners), to the public Internet.

Intranet

A private corporate network that uses Internet technology and is designed specifically to meet the needs of internal employees (B2E).

Extranet

A private corporate network designed to meet the operational needs of external business parties, such as suppliers, customers, and stockholders (B2B).

Cloud Computing Service Models

Architectures specifying management boundaries: On-site requires managing all layers; IaaS delegates virtualization, servers, storage, and networking; PaaS additionally delegates runtime, middleware, and O/S; and SaaS delegates all layers up through applications to the service provider.

Automation

The lowest-risk form of organizational change, focused primarily on speeding up existing standard operating performance.

Rationalization of Procedures

A form of organizational change that involves streamlining standard operating procedures to eliminate operational bottlenecks.

Business Process Reengineering (BPR)

The radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in cost, quality, service, and speed.

Paradigm Shift

The most radical and high-risk form of organizational change, involving a fundamental reconceptualization of the nature of the business and the entire organization.

Organizational Change Risk and Return Matrix

A strategic model illustrating that risk and return increase progressively across four stages of organizational change: Automation (lowest), Rationalization, Reengineering, and Paradigm Shifts (highest).

Scope Creep vs. Feature Creep

Two frequent causes of systems project failure: scope creep refers to the uncontrolled expansion of project goals beyond the initial scope, while feature creep refers to the continuous addition of extra software features during development.

Feasibility Study

An evaluation conducted during preliminary analysis to determine the project's probability of success across technical, economic, and behavioral feasibility.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The traditional structured waterfall methodology used by organizations for large, complex systems, progressing through investigation, analysis, design, programming, testing, implementation, production, and maintenance.

Joint Application Development (JAD)

A collaborative session format where end users and IT specialists work together intensely to gather, analyze, and document business requirements.

Requirements Definition Document

A formal comprehensive document that prioritizes business requirements, outlines needed system capabilities, and requires a formal 'sign off' approval from knowledge workers.

Syntax Errors vs. Logic Errors

Two testing flaw types: syntax errors represent coding rule violations (misspellings, misplaced commas) that prevent execution; logic errors allow the code to run but cause incorrect computational output.

System Implementation Strategies

Four approaches to converting from an old system to a new system: parallel (running both simultaneously), direct cutover (shutting off the old and starting the new), pilot (introducing to one branch or unit first), and phased (gradual deployment in stages).

Proof-of-Concept Prototype

A working model of a proposed system designed specifically to prove its technical feasibility to developers and management.

Selling Prototype

A prototype created specifically to demonstrate system value and convince stakeholders or clients of the worth of a proposed system.

Lean Methodology Feedback Loop

A minimalist product development loop focused on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that continuously iterates through Build (Ideas to Product), Measure (Product to Data), and Learn (Data to Ideas).

Outsourcing

The delegation of specific business or technical work to an external third-party vendor for a specified duration, cost, and service-level agreement.

Select Query

The most common database query type in Microsoft Access, used to retrieve, filter, sort, and display data from one or more tables.

Query Wildcards (* and ?)

Pattern-matching characters in database queries where an asterisk ($*$) represents any number of characters (or none), and a question mark ($?$) represents any single character.

Unmatched Query

A specialized query used to identify records present in one table that do not have any corresponding records in another related table.

Parameterized Query

A dynamic query that prompts the user to enter specific criteria values in a dialog prompt each time the query is executed.

Concatenation (SQL/Access)

The operation of linking multiple text strings or data fields together into a single combined output string using the ampersand symbol ($\&$).

IIf Function

An inline conditional expression with the syntax $\text{IIf}(\text{expression}, \text{truepart}, \text{falsepart})$ that evaluates a logical statement and dynamically returns one of two outputs.

Update Query

An action query in Access that makes bulk modifications to data values across specified records in an underlying table based on established criteria.

Form-Based Query Criteria

A technique linking query criteria directly to form controls using the syntax $[\text{Forms}]![\text{Form Name}]![\text{Control Name}]$, enabling user-friendly searching through forms.

Entity (ERD)

A distinct person, place, thing, or concept in an Entity Relationship Diagram about which an organization collects and maintains data, corresponding to a database table.

Attribute (ERD)

A discrete characteristic or property describing a specific entity in an ERD, corresponding to a field or column in a database table.

Key Attribute

An attribute or set of attributes that uniquely identifies every individual occurrence of an entity, corresponding to the primary key of a relational table.

One-to-One Relationship (1:1)

A relationship between two entities where one instance of entity A is associated with exactly one instance of entity B, typically resolved by merging both entities into a single table.

One-to-Many Relationship (1:N)

A relationship where a single record in entity A associates with multiple records in entity B, resolved in physical relational design by copying the primary key from the 'one' side as a foreign key into the 'many' side table.

Many-to-Many Relationship (M:N)

A relationship where multiple records in entity A correlate to multiple records in entity B, which cannot be directly implemented in relational tables without creating an intersection table.

Intersection Table

An intermediate table created to resolve an M:N relationship into two 1:N relationships, populated with foreign keys from both original tables that collectively form a composite primary key or use an autonumber.

Database Normalization

The formal mathematical process of applying progressive rules to relational tables to reduce data redundancy, ensure integrity, and make fields depend solely on the primary key.

First Normal Form (1NF)

The state of a relational table achieved by eliminating repeating groups or multi-valued attributes, ensuring all attribute values are atomic.

Second Normal Form (2NF)

The state of a table achieved when it is in 1NF and all non-key attributes are fully functionally dependent on the entire primary key, eliminating partial key dependencies in concatenated keys.

Third Normal Form (3NF)

The state achieved when a table is in 2NF and contains no transitive dependencies, meaning non-key fields depend only on the primary key and not on any other non-key fields.

Ethics

The principles and moral standards that guide individual behavior and decision-making toward other people.

Intellectual Property

Intangible creative work, ideas, or artistic expressions that are embodied in physical or digital form.

Fair Use Doctrine

A legal provision allowing limited use of copyrighted material without permission under specific conditions, such as creation of new commentary or educational teaching.

Pirated Software vs. Counterfeit Software

Pirated software is unauthorized duplication, distribution, or execution of copyrighted software; counterfeit software is software manufactured to mimic genuine packaging and sold illegally as legitimate.

Hacktivists

Threat actors who use cyber attacks and vigilante tactics as a vehicle for political activism and ideological messaging.

Nation States (Cyber-Warfare)

Sovereign governmental threat actors engaging in advanced persistent threats (APTs) and large-scale cyber disruptions of infrastructure, bounded somewhat by Mutually Assured Destruction ('MAD').

Social Engineering

Non-technical or psychological manipulation aimed at tricking people into divulging confidential information, clicking malicious links, or granting system access.

Phishing vs. Spear Phishing

Phishing refers to broad, deceptive mass emails sent to lure recipients into clicking links or revealing information; spear phishing consists of highly customized, researched attacks directed at specific individuals or organizations.

CIA Triad

The foundational tripartite security framework consisting of Confidentiality (preserving authorized access limits), Integrity (protecting data from unauthorized modification), and Availability (ensuring timely data access).

Computer Worm

A self-replicating type of malware that spreads independently from computer to computer across networks and internet traffic without needing to attach to a host file.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack

A cyber attack that floods a targeted web server or network with coordinated requests from multiple compromised devices to saturate bandwidth and cause downtime.

Keylogger

A form of surveillance software or spyware that silently captures and records every keystroke and mouse click made on a system.

Trojan-Horse Software

Malicious code disguised as or concealed inside an apparently benign, desirable software application.

Ransomware

Malicious software that encrypts user or network files and blocks user access until an extortion ransom is paid, typically via cryptocurrency.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

A security verification method combining two or more distinct factors: something you know (password), something you have (token/device), or something you are (biometrics).

Public Key Encryption (PKE)

An asymmetric cryptographic system where the sender scrambles plaintext into ciphertext using the recipient's publicly shared key, and only the recipient can unscramble it back to plaintext using their matching private key.