Unit 2

Data Communication and

Computer Networks
 Data communication/Computer
networking

• Communication between computer

systems or devices OR electronic
transmission of signals for communication.

• A computer network is a set of computers

or devices connected, that have the ability
to exchange data.
 Elements of a
Telecommunication System
• Transmitter – that takes information and converts it
into signal (computer + communication equipment +
software)

• Transmission medium – carries the signal

(communication channel)

• Receiver – receives the signal and converts back

into usable information (computer + communication
equipment + software)
 Communication equipment

• Modem – translates data from digital to analog

or analog to digital.

• Multiplexers - it encodes data from two or more

data sources onto a single communication
channel.

• Front end processors – special purpose

computer that manages communication to and
from a pc serving hundreds or thousands of
users.
 Communication channel
• Wired – communication through a solid medium
– Twisted pair
– Coaxial cable
– Fiber optic
• Wireless – communication through airwaves of
electromagnetic medium
– Microwave
– Radio
– Infrared
 Wired: Twisted pair

• Twisted pair of copper

wires used for
telephone service,
widely available.

• Transmission speed
and distance
limitations
 Wired : Coaxial cable

• Inner conductor wire

surrounded by
insulation.

• Faster data
transmission.

• More expensive
 Wired: Fiber optic cable
• Extremely thin strands of
glass bound together in a
sheathing.

• Uses light beams to

transmit signals.

• Less distortion.

• High transmission rates.

• Expensive to purchase and

install.
 Wireless: Microwave
• High frequency radio signal
sent through atmosphere
and space.

• (300 MHz – 300 GHz)

• Avoids cost and efforts of

laying cable.

• Capable of high speed

transmission.

• Must have line of sight.

 Wireless: Radio and Infrared
• Operates in 30 – 300 • Signals sent through
MHz. air as light waves

• Supports mobile • Allows moving,

users. removing and
installing devices
• Susceptible to without wiring.
interception.
• Must have line of
sight.
Classification of communication
channels

• Simplex – can transmit data only in one

direction. E.g.. Doorbell

• Half duplex – can transmit data in either

direction but not simultaneously.

• Full duplex – can transmit data in both

directions at the same time. E.g.. Phone lines
 Network topologies
• It is the layout pattern of interconnections of the
various elements of a computer network.

– Ring
– Mesh
– Star
– Line
– Fully connected
– Tree
– Bus
Types of topologies
 Types of network
• Personal area network (PAN) - used for communication among computer
and different devices close to one person (33 feet)

• Wide area network (WAN) - a number of resources are installed across a

large area such as multinational business. Through WAN offices in
different countries can be interconnected.

• Local area network (LAN) - connects computers and devices in a limited

geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory, office
building, or closely positioned group of buildings.

• Metropolitan area network (MAN) - usually spans a city or a large

campus.
 Internet

• It is a global network connecting millions of

computers.

• Carries a vast range of information resources

and services.

• Uses the internet protocol suite to serve millions

of users ( TCP/IP)
 Assignment
• How the internet works??
• World wide web.
• Internet and web applications.
 Intranet and Extranet
• Intranet is an internal corporate network built
using internet and www standards to allow
employees to gain access to corporate
information.

• Extranet is a computer network that allows

controlled access from the outside, for specific
business or educational purposes. It links
selected resources of the intranet with its
customers, suppliers or other business partners.
 Unit 3

Information System Planning

and Development
 Information system
• Set of interrelated components that collect,
manipulate, store and disseminate data and
information and provide a feedback
mechanism.
 Why go for system
development??
• To accomplish a new task.

• To change a work process.

– A new system is developed or existing one is

modified.
Participants in system development
• Stakeholders – people who either themselves or through the
organization benefit from the system development project.

• Users – people who interact with the system regularly. E.g.

employees, managers etc.

• System analyst – professional who specializes in analyzing

and designing the system.

• Programmer – responsible for modifying or developing

programs to satisfy user requirements.

– Other support personnel include database and telecomm

experts, hardware engineers and supplier representatives.
 Reasons for initiating system
development
• Problems with existing system
• Desire to exploit new opportunities
• Increasing competition
• Desire to make more effective use of information
• Organizational growth
• Merger or acquisition
• Change in market or external environment
• New laws or regulations
 Information system planning

• Translating strategic and organizational goals

into system development initiatives.
• Aligning organization goals and IS goals is
critical for successful system development.
• Helps in long term use of the information
system in the organization.
• Ensures better use of IS resources.
Traditional system development
life cycle (SDLC)

• Iterative Process
• Control cost and time
 Budgets
 Project timelines and deadlines
• Works best with well understood systems
 SDLC Phases
• Systems Investigation
– Identify problems or opportunities

• Systems Analysis
– How can we solve the problem

• Systems Design
– Select and plan the best solution

• Systems Implementation
– Place solution into effect

• Systems Maintenance and

Review
– Evaluate the results of the solution
 Systems Investigation

• Feasibility Analysis
– Technical
– Economic
– Operational
– Schedule
 Systems Analysis
• Data Collection
– Strengths/Weaknesses of existing system
• Data Analysis
– Turning data into information
• Requirements Analysis
– Identifying needs
 Systems Design
• Logical Design
– Functional requirements of the system (what the
system will do)
• Physical Design
– Specifies system components (how the system
will do)
• Design Alternatives
• Evaluating and Selecting a Design
 Systems Implementation
• Hardware/Software Acquisition
• User Preparation
• Hiring and Training Personnel
• Site Preparation
• Data Preparation
• Installation
• Testing
• Startup
• User Acceptance
 Systems Maintenance
• Types
– Patch – minor change to correct problem
– New Release – significant program change
– New Version – major program change with new
features
• 5 times the cost of development
• 50 - 70% of programmers’ time
• Documentation is important!
 Tips for Successful Systems
Development

• Clearly defined goals and objectives

• Top management support
• User involvement in all stages
• Change management
• Training Programs
 Alternate methods for system
development
• RAD ( Rapid Application development)

• Prototyping

• End User system development

• Object oriented development

• Outsourcing

• Application software packages

 Rapid application development

• Employs tools and techniques designed to

speed application development.

• Reduces paper based documentation,

automatically generates source code and
facilitates user participation in design and
development.
 Prototyping

• Iterative approach

• Process of building an experimental

system to demonstrate user defined
needs.
 Steps in Prototyping
• Identify user requirements
• Develop a prototype
• Use a prototype
• Revise and enhance a prototype best for
design of end user interface : How End-
user Interacts With System
 End User system development
• End users develop the IS with little help
from technical specialists using fourth
generation tools.

• Fourth generation tools allow developers

to design the application wherein the
computer generates the code to create it.

• Reduces cost and development time

 Outsourcing
• When a company takes a part of its business
and gives that part to another company.

• Organizations either outsource part or whole of

the IS development to a third party or any other
organization

• Reduces cost, focus on core business, improve

quality and access to talent.
 Application software packages
• Many applications are common to all
business organizations e.g.. payroll,
accounts receivable, inventory control etc.
for such functions software packages can
fulfill the requirements.

• If an organization has unique requirements

then these packages have the capability of
being modified or customized.
 Data flow analysis
• The development of models for the movement of
information within an organization, indicating the
sources and destinations of information and where and
how information is transmitted, processed, and stored.

• Data flow diagram is a graphical representation of the

"flow" of data through an information system.
 Database
(will be explained in class in detail)

• A database is collection
of information that is
organized so that it can
easily be accessed,
managed, and updated.
 Database concepts

• Digital databases are managed

using database management systems,
which store database contents, allowing
data creation and maintenance, and
search and other access.
 DBMS
• A database management system (DBMS) consists
of software that operates databases, providing storage,
access, security, backup and other facilities.

• Database management systems can be categorized

according to the database model that they support,
such as relational or XML, the type of computer they
support, such as a server cluster or a mobile phone,
the query language that access the database, such
as SQL or XQuery, performance trade-offs, such as
maximum scale or maximum speed or others.
• Four basic functions performed by all DBMS are:

– Create, modify, and delete data structures, e.g. table

– Add, modify, and delete data

– Retrieve data selectively

– Generate reports based on data

 Advantages
• Reduced data redundancy
• Reduced updating errors and increased consistency
• Greater data integrity and independence from
applications programs
• Improved data access to users through use of host
and query languages
• Improved data security
• Reduced data entry, storage, and retrieval costs
• Facilitates development of new applications program
 Disadvantages
• Database systems are complex, difficult, and time-
consuming to design
• Substantial hardware and software start-up costs
• Damage to database affects virtually all applications
programs
• Extensive conversion costs in moving form a file-
based system to a database system
• Initial training required for all programmers and
users
 Distributed Database
• A database that is under the control of a
central database management
system (DBMS) in which storage
devices are not all attached to a
common CPU. It may be stored in
multiple computers located in the same
physical location, or may be dispersed
over a network of interconnected
computers.
• Collections of data (e.g. in a database) can be
distributed across multiple physical locations.
• A distributed database can reside on network
servers on the Internet, on
corporate intranets or extranets, or on other
company networks.
• Different users can access it without interfering
with one another.
• Allows applications to access data from local
and remote databases.
 Important questions
• What is system planning? What are the
reasons why organizations go for system
planning?
• Traditional SDLC
• Alternate methods of system development
• Database – concepts, DBMS, advantages,
disadvantages, types and distributed DB