Networks and Cloud Computing (ITISA1) – Comprehensive Study Notes

Learning outcomes and Prescribed Reading

In this module, the learning outcomes focus on explaining how intranets, extranets and cloud computing utilize Internet technologies. The prescribed readings are Stair, R. and Reynolds, G. (2020) Principles of Information Systems, 14th edition, Chapters 7 and 8, which cover Networks and Cloud Computing in depth. The material aligns with foundational information systems concepts and is used to illustrate how network technologies enable modern IT architectures, including private networks (intranets), extended networks (extranets), and scalable, internet-based computing via cloud services. These notes synthesize the key ideas from the transcript and map them to the corresponding topics in the textbook, to provide a comprehensive study resource that mirrors the original source and its real-world relevance.

What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is defined as a system that connects two or more computing devices for transmitting and sharing information. Networks are composed of communications media, devices, and software that enable connectivity and data exchange. Communications media refers to the material substance that carries an electronic signal to support communications between sending and receiving devices. Networking involves interconnected computing devices that can exchange data and share resources using a system of rules called communications protocols, which govern data transmission over physical or wireless technologies. To illustrate, the transcript references external sources describing networks, emphasizing types, components, and best practices (e.g., a Spiceworks article on what a computer network and its components entail, and general explanations from cloud service providers like AWS). In practice, networks enable shared resources (such as printers, files, applications) and allow users to communicate and access information across distances via standardized protocols and infrastructure. This conceptual foundation connects to earlier discussions of information systems architecture, from which networks form the backbone for data flow, security, and service delivery across intranets, extranets, and the Internet.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources over the Internet. It offers cost savings, scalability, high performance, economies of scale, and more. For many companies, migrating to the cloud is related to data and IT modernization, as it enables faster provisioning of resources and reduces on-premises infrastructure. A more detailed view describes cloud computing as the delivery of computing resources — including storage, processing power, databases, networking, analytics, artificial intelligence, and software applications — over the Internet (the cloud). By outsourcing these resources, organizations can access what they need when they need it without owning and maintaining physical on-premises infrastructure. This arrangement provides flexible resources, faster innovation, and economies of scale. cloud migration initiatives are often driven by the goal of modernizing data and IT environments, aligning with broader digital transformation strategies. Cloud computing can be deployed in several models: public cloud (shared infrastructure offered by third-party providers), private cloud (dedicated infrastructure for a single organization), and hybrid cloud (a combination of public and private). Cloud services are typically described using the three classic service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Network Topologies

A network topology refers to the shape or structure of a network. The transcript lists several common topologies: star, bus, ring, and mesh. While the page prompts an activity to research and present details with diagrams or videos, these topologies have distinct characteristics:

• Star topology: all devices connect to a central hub. It simplifies management and fault isolation but creates a single point of failure at the hub.

• Bus topology: devices are connected on a single shared communication line with terminators at both ends. It is simple and cost-effective for small networks but performance and fault isolation degrade as more devices are added.

• Ring topology: devices are connected in a closed loop with data moving in one direction (token-passing in some designs). Faults can disrupt the entire ring, though there are mechanisms to detect and bypass failures.

• Mesh topology: multiple redundant interconnections between devices. It offers high reliability and fault tolerance but at a higher cost and complexity.
  These topologies underpin practical network design decisions in real-world IT infrastructures, influencing reliability, performance, scalability, and maintenance. The activity encourages exploring further details and visualizations to reinforce understanding of how topology choices impact network behavior.

The Internet and The World Wide Web (WWW)

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and other electronic devices. It enables access to a vast array of information, facilitates communication with others around the world, and supports a wide range of services and applications. The transcript references an educational source explaining the Internet as the overarching network that interconnects devices and networks globally.

What is the WWW?

The World Wide Web is an information system on the Internet that allows documents to be connected to other documents via hypertext links, enabling users to navigate information by moving from one document to another.

Access and connectivity

No single entity connects directly to the Internet; instead, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) — such as Telkom — provide Internet access to organizations and individuals. There are multiple approaches to connect to an ISP, including using a LAN server, telephone lines, high-speed services, or wireless networks. A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) identifies the web address and specifies the exact location of a web page by resolving the host’s IP address and location. An IP address is a communications standard that enables routing of traffic from one network to another. The Internet backbone refers to the high-speed, long-distance links that form the core routes of data across the Internet.

The Web technologies

HTML is the language used to tell a web browser how to display a web page, often in conjunction with CSS and XML. A web browser is software that enables access to the World Wide Web, with popular examples including Chrome, Edge/IE, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. A search engine (e.g., Google) helps users find information on the web by specifying keywords. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) refers to techniques that improve a website’s ranking in search results to drive traffic. These concepts connect to foundational principles of information systems, including user interfaces, information retrieval, and the role of browsers and search technologies in how users interact with online content.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and the Internet of Everything (IoE)

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The IoT is a network of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud. IoT devices are typically embedded with technology such as sensors and software and can include mechanical and digital machines and consumer objects. Real-world examples include a smart home that automatically adjusts heating and lighting and a smart factory that monitors industrial machines to detect problems and automatically adjusts to avoid failures. The Internet of Everything (IoE) extends the concept beyond machine-to-machine communication to include people-to-people and people-to-machine connections. IoE emphasizes rapid growth driven by widespread network access and inexpensive smart devices.

Cloud Computing: Services, Deployment Models, and Migration

Cloud computing provides a computing environment where software and storage are offered as Internet services and accessed via a web browser. It can be deployed in public, private, or hybrid configurations, and supports multiple service models:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• Software as a Service (SaaS)
  These models describe different layers of abstraction and responsibility between the cloud provider and the customer, enabling flexible resource provisioning, scalability, and cost management. The public cloud model is exemplified by widely used services such as Google Calendar and Salesforce, whereas private clouds are dedicated to a single organization, and hybrid clouds combine both approaches to meet specific security, regulatory, or performance requirements. The material ties cloud concepts to the broader goal of IT modernization and digital transformation, illustrating how organizations can leverage cloud-based resources to align with strategic business objectives.

Week 1 Activity

The Week 1 activity prompts students to engage with practical concepts and reinforce learning. It includes:
1) Conducting research and presenting details on the network topologies (star, bus, ring, mesh) with explanations and diagrams or videos.
2) Reflecting on why someone might prefer blogging over vlogging.
3) Identifying three main types of cloud available.
4) Naming the three cloud services.
5) Determining which environment is best suited to a single-tenant cloud.
6) Outlining the benefits of using a cloud platform.
These prompts encourage integration of theoretical knowledge with practical understanding, and they align with the prescribed readings and learning outcomes by applying topology concepts, cloud service models, deployment options, and their real-world implications.