Chapter 6

Telecommunications and
Networks

McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Copyright 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives
Understand the concept of a network
Apply Metcalfes Law in understanding the
value of a network.
Identify several major developments and
trends in the industries, technologies, and
business applications of
telecommunications and Internet
technologies.
Provide examples of the business value of
Internet, intranet, and extranet
applications.
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Learning Objectives
Identify the basic components, functions, and
types of telecommunications networks used in
business.
Explain the functions of major components of
telecommunications network hardware,
software, media, and services.
Explain the concept of client/server networking.
Understand the two forms of peer-to-peer
networking.
Explain the difference between digital and
analog signals.
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Learning Objectives
Identify the various transmission media
and topologies used in
telecommunications networks.
Understand the fundamentals of
wireless network technologies.
Explain the concepts behind TCP/IP.
Understand the seven layers of the OSI
network model.

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Section 1
Telecommunications and
Networks

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II. The Concept of a

Network
The Concept of a Network
an
interconnected/interrelated
system
Metcalfs Law the utility (use)
of a network equals the square
of the number of users

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IV. The Business Value of

Telecommunications
Networks

Cut costs, shorten lead/response times,

improve collaboration, support ecommerce
The Internet Revolution a network of
networks, the largest and most important
network, constantly expanding
Internet Service Providers (ISP) provides
easy access to the Internet
Internet Applications browsing the Net,
email, instant messaging
Business Use of the Internet the Internet
adds value to every prt of the business cycle
The Business Value of the Internet
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V. The Role of Intranets

Intranet a private internal network using
Internet technologies
The Business Value of Intranets an enterprise
information portal supporting communications and
collaboration
Communications and Collaboration improved by
Intranets
Web Publishing developing and publishing hyperlinked
multimedia documents
Business Operations and Management develop/deploy
critical applications supporting operations and
managerial decision making
Intranet Portal Management managed by IS/IT
professionals

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VI. The Role of Extranets

Extranet A private network
using Internet technologies
(intranet) opened to select
external entities for purposes of
communications
Purpose interconnect the
business with its
suppliers/customers/business
partners

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Section 2
Telecommunications Network
Alternatives

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II. Telecommunications
Network Model 5 basic
components:
Terminals any input/output device to
transmit/receive data
Telecommunications Processors
support data transmission/reception
between terminals
Telecommunications Channels media
over which messages are sent
Computers interconnected by
telecommunications networks
Telecommunications control software
programs to control telecommunications
activities and functions
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III. Types of
Telecommunications
Networks
A Network is defined by its geographic
area and who owns the equipment
Wide Area Networks (WAN) between
cities/large geographic areas, LANs
connected by common carrier or leased
lines
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) LANs
connected over a specific geographical
area
Local Area Networks (LAN) equipment
owned by the firm, short distances, usually
within a single building (or room)
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III. Types of
Telecommunications
Networks
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) a
network using the Internet as a
backbone but incorporating security for
privacy
Client/Server Networks a powerful,
central computer (server) providing
information and processing (services) to
multiple end-user computers (clients)
Network Computing a minimallypowered browser-based computer
obtains its data and processing from the
Internet
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IV. Digital and Analog

Signals
Analog (continuous) any
value between the
maximum/minimum value is
possible (e.g., any frequency
between 20hz and 20K hz)
Digital (discrete) only
certain values are permitted
(e.g., 0 and 1)
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IX. Network Topologies

Topologies the structure (or look) of a
network; 3 basic types: bus, ring, star
Protocols formal rules for
communications
Network Architectures
The Internets TCP/IP Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol the
standard protocol for the Internet
Voice Over IP Internet telephony,
replaces public-switched service
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