Management Information Systems

Computer Fundamentals and Telecommunication & Networks

First generation computers (1957 - 58)

They were large, not reliable and use of vacuum tubes

1) Tremendous heat caused more failures.

2) Punched cards were used to feed data and instructions.

3) Instructions were coded in binary system, which was cumbersome. And time
consuming.

4) Assembler was used to translate Assembly language program in binary language

required

5) Chore space proer and heat generation high second generation Computer ( 1959
– 1964)

Second Generation Computers (1959-64)

Vacuum tubes were replaced with Transistors. This resulted in

1) Less heat generation, lesser space and power required.

2) More reliable and faster processing.

3) Higher Storage capacity.

4) Punch card used.

5) Magnetic tape were used as Storage media

6) Programming techniques were refined resulting in new high level languages like
Fortran Cobol

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Third generation Computer (1965 – 1971)

Transistors were replaced by Integrated Circuits (IC) Which consisted of hundreds of

electronic components, put on a Silicon Chip.

1) Smaller Size of Computer

2) Cheaper Computers

3) Lesser power required

4) Faster Processing

5) More reliability

IBM first introduced with system 360 series. This technology change introduced
concept of mini Computers and remote terminal. Remote Terminals allowed
processing from distant locations by connecting terminals to center computer and
using its capabilities. This concept was known as time-sharing and many users were
able to run separate programs simultaneously.

Forth generation Computers (1972 – till sate)

IC were further integrated calling it large scale Integration

(LSI) which is also called Microchip, which further helped in development of

Microprocessor.

With Lesser Cost of Computer its usage increased at home, education and business.

Fifth generation Computers (Future)

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This is in development stage to build intelligent computer, which will be able to

converse with humans in natural language. Computer will be able to take decisions
on learned experience (Attificial Intelligence) and memory capabilities

Computer will be able to learn, make inferences, and make decisions.

An Overview of Software

• Computer program - sequences of instructions for the computer

• Documentation - describes program functions

• Systems software - coordinates the activities of hardware & programs

• Applications software - helps users solve particular problems

What is Software?

• Various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devices

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• Application Software

Performs information processing tasks for end users

· Business Applications - accounting, sales management, transaction processing, electronic commerce,

etc.

· Science and Engineering Applications – research and development

· Personal Applications – finance and home management

1. Education and Entertainment Applications – schools, learning institutions, DVD movie

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Application Software
2. General-Purpose – programs that perform common information processing jobs for end users

3. Application-Specific – support specific applications of end users in business and other fields

General-Purpose Application Software

• Software Suites
• Web Browsers
• Electronic Mail
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Database Managers
• Presentation Graphics
• Personal Information Managers
• Groupware

• Software Suites
-Are a combination of the most widely used productivity packages that come bundled
together

Advantages of software suites:

These software tools can be used to increase your productivity, collaborate with your colleagues, and
access intranets, extranets, and the Internet.

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• Suites integrate software packages for web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets,
presentation graphics, database management and more.

· Suites cost a lot less than the total cost of buying their individual packages separately.

· All programs use a similar graphical user interface, which gives them the same look and feel, and
make them easier to learn and use.

· Suites also share common tools, such as spell checkers and help wizards to increase their
efficiency.

· Programs are designed to work together and import each other’s files or transfer data between
applications.

Disadvantages of software suites:

• Critics argue that most end users never use many software suite features.

• Suites take up a lot of disk space and may require significant amounts of memory.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Definition:

Icons, tool and status bars, menus, and so on, which gives an application its look and feel

Web Browser

Definition:

Software interface used to browse the web pages using internet.

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Web Browsers are used by end users as the universal software platform, which they use to:

· Launch information searches

· E-mail others

· Participate in discussion groups and workgroup collaboration

· Many other Internet, intranet, and extranet applications

· Watch a video

· Make a phone call

·Download software

Electronic Mail – software used to send and receive electronic messages and file attachments via the
Internet, intranets or extranets

E-mail is stored on network servers until you are ready. Features of E-mail include:

· Route messages to one or many individuals

· Route messages to multiple end users based on predefined mailing lists

· Provide password security

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· Automatic message forwarding

· Allow users to store messages in folders with provisions for adding attachments to message files

· Edit and send graphics and multimedia as well as text

· Provide bulletin board and computer conferencing capabilities

· Filter and sort incoming messages and route them to appropriate user mailboxes and folders

Word Processing & Desktop Publishing

Word Processing – software that supports the creation, editing, revision and printing of documents

Word processing packages computerize the creation, editing, revision, and printing of documents by
electronically processing text data. Some of the features of these packages include:

· Desktop publishing capabilities

· Can be used to convert documents to HTML format for publication as web pages on corporate
intranets or the World Wide Web.

· Advanced features such as spell checker, thesaurus, grammar and punctuation capabilities.

Electronic Spreadsheets

Definition:

• Software that supports the development of electronic worksheets consisting of rows and columns
used for business analysis, planning and modeling

• A spreadsheet package can also be used as a decision support tool to perform what-if analysis.
For example: “What would happen - If you did something else”.

Presentation Graphics

Definition:

Software that helps convert numeric data into graphics displays and prepare multimedia presentations
including graphics, photos, animation, and video clips

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System Software

• manages and supports operations of computer systems and networks

• Programs that manage and support the resources and operations of a computer system as it
performs various information processing tasks.

OPERATING SYSTEMS

An operating system is an integrated system of programs that:

• Manages the operations of the CPU

• Controls the input/output and storage resources and activities of the computer system

• Provides various support services as the computer executes the application programs of users

Primary purpose of the operating system is:

• Maximize the productivity of a computer system by operating it in the most efficient manner.

• Minimize the amount of human intervention required during processing.

Helps your application programs perform common operations such as accessing a network, entering
data, saving and retrieving files and printing or displaying output.

Operating System Functions: An operating system performs five basic functions in the operation of a
computer system. It provides:

· User Interface

· Resource Management

· Task Management

· File Management

· Utilities and Support Services

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Operating System Functions

The User Interface:

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The user interface is the part of the operating system that allows the end user to communicate with
the operating system so they can load programs, access files, and accomplishes other tasks. Three
main types of user interfaces are:

· Command Driven

· Menu Driven

· Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Resource Management:

An operating system uses a variety of resource management programs to manage the hardware and
networking resources of the computer system, including its:

· CPU

· Memory

· Secondary Storage Devices

· Telecommunications processors

· Input/output Peripherals

Memory management programs:

· Keep track of where data and programs are stored.

· May also subdivide memory into a number of sections and swap parts of programs and data
between main memory and magnetic disks or other secondary storage devices.

· Provide a computer system with a virtual memory capability, which is larger than the actual main
memory of its primary storage circuits.

File Management:

File management programs of an operating system:

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· Control the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs.

· Keep track of the physical location of files on magnetic disks and other secondary storage devices.

Task Management:

Task management programs of an operating system:

· Manage the accomplishment of the computing tasks of end users.

Allocate CPU time to tasks and interrupt tasks being executed to substitute other tasks.

May involve a multitasking capability where tasks of several programs can process at the same
time. Multitasking may involve multiprogramming where the CPU can process the tasks of several
programs at the same time, or time-sharing, where the computing tasks of several users can be
processed at the same time.

MS-DOS - for many years was the most widely used microcomputer operating system.

Characteristics:

- A single user, single-tasking operating system

- Was given a graphical user interface and limited multitasking capabilities by combining it with
Microsoft Windows.

Windows 95 - Microsoft began replacing its DOS/Windows combination in 1995 with the Windows
95 operating system.

Characteristics:

- Advanced operating system

- Graphical user interface

- True multitasking capabilities

- Networking capabilities

EX: UNIX - a popular operating system that is available for micros, minis, and mainframe computer
systems.

Characteristics:

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- Originally developed by AT&T, UNIX is now offered by other vendors, including Solaris by
Sun Microsystems and AIX by IBM.

- Multitasking and multi-user system, network-managed operating system whose portability

allows it to run on mainframes, midrange computers, and microcomputers.

LINUX - is a low-cost, powerful, and reliable Unix-like operating system that is rapidly gaining
market share as a high-performance operating system for network servers and web servers in both
small and large networks.

Characteristics:

- Linux Torvald of Finland and millions of programmers around the world developed Linux as a
free or low-cost shareware or open-source software over the Internet in the 1990’s.

- Linux is still being enhanced in this way, but is sold with extra features and support services
by software vendors such as Red Hat, Caldera, and VA Linux.

- PC versions of Linux are available which support office software suites, web browsers, and
other application software.

Mac OS X - is the latest operating system from Apple for the iMac and other Macintosh
microcomputers.

Characteristics:

Mac OS X has a new graphical user interface having advanced multitasking and multimedia
capabilities, along with a new suite of Internet services called iTools.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

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A programming language allows a programmer or end user to develop the sets of instructions that
constitute a computer program.

• Low-Level Language

Machine Languages

Assembler Languages

• High-Level Languages

Networks: Meaning

• A computer network is a connected set of autonomous computers.

• A network can be defined as a group of stations (computers, telephones or other devices)

connected by communication facilities for exchanging information. A network can be connected
to other network thus making a bigger network. For example, local telephone exchanges connect
to the city main exchange, which itself connects to the main national telephone exchange.
Sometimes a network can be a part of other networks; such network is called a sub-network

Networks 1)Computer networks allow the user to access remote programs and remote databases
either of the same organization or from other enterprises or public sources.

2)Computer networks provide communication possibilities faster than other facilities. Because of
these optimal information and communication possibilities, computer networks may increase the
organizational learning rate, which many authors declare as the only fundamental advantage in
competition.

• Local Area Network (LAN) A network that connects a group of computers in a small
geographical area such as in a building or office is called Local Area Network (LAN).

• LAN is the most common type of network used in an organization. LANs are typically high
speed networks that connect computers, printers and other network devices together in an
organization.

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Example of an office LAN

As shown in the Figure all computers in an office is connected to each other by cable through central
hub. All computers can communicate, share information and hardware resources.

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a backbone network
that connects Local Area Networks (LANs) in a metropolitan area such as a city or town.

• It handles many communication activities or traffic.

• Typically a MAN includes one or more LANs, covering a larger geographical area than LAN but
smaller geographical area than a Wide Area Network (WAN) which is discussed next.

Example of MAN

• Large universities and colleges have their own networks spread over city or town connecting all
the branch campuses.

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Wide Area Network (WAN) A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer network covering
broad geographical areas such as state or country

• The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet

• Internet Internet is global network of computers, working as servers & clients to exchange
information.

• Internet is distributed and connected thru network.

• Any computer loaded with TCP/IP protocol automatically becomes a member of internet.

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• It is platform independent.

• It uses Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for its communication. The
commonly used information system on internet is the World Wide Web (WWW).

• Hardware & software of internet Modem: (Modulator-Demodulator)

It’s a device that enables two computers to communicate with one another through
transmission media.

• Computer: Computer should be loaded with TCP/IP

• Browsers: Internet explorer, Mozilla etc..

• Application of Internet Search Engine: Search to get information.

• Download files and software's

• Email

• Mailing list: Receive/Send messages to group.

• Voice & video conferencing

• Chatting

• E-Business

• WWW- World Wide Web IT is a way of accessing information over the medium of internet.

• It is information sharing model

• Web uses HTTP protocol

• Web uses browsers to access web pages.

• Internet handles connectivity and web handles information across the internet.

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Intranet

• It is internal company network that uses internet standards namely HTTP, HTML, TCP/IP.

• An Intranet is a network of set of computers (Servers) connected through TCP/IP communication

protocols that stores data in various locations accessed by computers (Clients) distributed at
various locations.

• The existing network (LAN/WAN) when loaded with these standards becomes Intranet for the
organization.

• It is meant for the users of the organization.

• Extranet When we extend intranet to outside authorized users using same internet technology is
it Extranet.

• Outside users are trusted partners

Ex1: Auto industry spare parts manufacturer have access to inventory database and production
schedules used to plan and ship the required spares to factory

EX2: A student who subscribes to an online course can access to all the learning materials for the
course by logging into the organization's network. In this case, the student acts as the organization's
trusted external party.

• Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is private data network that makes use of the public
telecommunication infrastructures.

• It is also a WAN but it is private and only company people have access to it.

• It maintains the data privacy through the use of security procedures

• The idea of the VPN is to give the company the capabilities of full access at much lower cost by
using the shared public infrastructure like public telephone lines or Internet rather than their own.

Figure VPN

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Network Topology

• Network topology describes the method used to do the physical configuration of cables, computer
and network devices.

The following are network topologies:

• Linear Bus

• Star

• Ring

• Mesh

BUS Topology

• All devices are connected to a central cable, called the bus or backbone.

• It has a single cable with terminators at each end.

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Advantages:

• Inexpensive

• Easy to install

• If one of the computers fails, it will not affect the entire network.

Disadvantages:

• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable

• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down

• Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.

• Star Topology A star network features a central connection point called a "hub" that may be an
actual hub or a switch.

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• Many office networks use the star topology.

Advantages:

• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts

• Easy to install

• No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices

Disadvantages:

• Requires more cable length than a linear bus topology.

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• If the hub or concentrator fails, computers attached are disabled.

• Ring Topology In ring topology terminals are connected on the ring like cable layout.

• In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes.

• All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (effectively either "clockwise" or
"counter clockwise")

Disadvantages:

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• A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.

• Difficult to detect faults

Mesh Topology

• In a mesh topology, each computer is connected to every other computer by a separate cable.

Advantages:

• If one computer encounters a problem, the entire network still works. Difficult to detect faults

Disadvantages:

• Requires more cabling

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Network Devices

Network devices are the building blocks of a computer network. To build a house, bricks, cement and
iron rods are needed. Similarly to build a successful computer network we need networking devices
like Hub, Switch, Router, Cable etc.

A network interface card (NIC) is a computer circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so
that it can be connected to a network. NIC can be internal (inserted on the motherboard slot), or
external, (attached to PC via USB/Serial/Parallel port).

A hub/Switch is a network device that is used for connecting computers on a Local Area Network
(LAN). Its main function is to forward the data it receives to all its ports. It is also known as a
concentrator.

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A repeater boosts a signal in order to allow the signal

to travel farther and prevent attenuation

A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK MODELa communications network is any arrangement

where a sender transmits a message to a receiver over a channel consisting of some type of medium

TerminalsTerminals are any input/output devices that use telecommunications networks to transmit or
receive data. They include:

1. Video Terminals

2. Microcomputers

3. Telephones

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4. Office Equipment

5. Transaction Terminals

Telecommunications Processors

Support data transmission and reception between terminals and computers.

They include:

1. Modems

2. Switches

3. Routers

Telecommunications Channels
/Transmission Media

• Telecommunications channels are the part of a telecommunications network that connects the
message source with the message receiver.

• They include the physical equipment used to connect one location to another for the purpose of
transmitting and receiving information.

• Data are transmitted and received over channels, which use a variety of telecommunications
media. Media include:

1. Copper Wires

2. Coaxial Cables

3. Fiber Optic Cables

4. Microwave Systems

5. Communications Satellites

Transmission Media

Transmission media can be categorized into two:

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1. Guided Transmission Media

Guided Transmission Media uses a "cabling" system that guides the data signals along a specific
path.

Ex: Twisted Pair Cable , Coaxial Cable, Fibre Optic

2. Unguided Transmission Media

unguided Media consists of a means (e.g. air, space) for the data signals to travel, however there is
nothing to guide them along a specific path, like in wires.

Unbounded media is electromagnetic waves in form of radio, microwave, infrared or others.

Twisted pair:

Two insulated copper wires twisted together in a regular spiral pattern; one pair establishes one
communication link; it transmits electromagnetic signals.

Twisted pairs are distinguished between shielded and unshielded twisted pairs according to their
protection against electromagnetic fields

Coaxial cable:

• A single insulated inner wire is surrounded by a cylindrical conductor which is covered with a
shield; it transmits electromagnetic signals.

• Coaxial cable is basically a copper cable, mostly used by Cable TV Companies to distribute TV
signals from antenna to users home.

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• Coaxial cable is classified into two categories: baseband (uses digital signals) and broadband
(uses analog signals) coaxial cable

Optical fibre:

• Fibre optic cable consists of a centre glass core surrounded by several layers of protective
materials

• It transfer data in the form of light

• Fibre optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over much longer distances than coaxial and
twisted pair.

• It also has the capability to carry information at vastly greater speed compared to other
transmission media.

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• cost is high as well as difficulty in installation.

• ComputersTelecommunications networks interconnect computers of all sizes and types.

• They include:

• 1. Host Computers (mainframes)

• 2. Front-End Processors (minicomputers)

• 3. Network Servers (microcomputers)

Telecommunications Control Software

Consists of programs that control telecommunications activities and manage the functions of
telecommunications networks.

They include:

1. Telecommunications Monitors (mainframe host computers)

2. Network Operating Systems (microcomputer network servers)

3. Communications Packages (microcomputers)

Client/Server Networks

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Characteristics of a client/server network:

· End user PC or NC workstations are the clients.

· Clients are interconnected by local area networks and share application processing with
network servers, which also manage the networks.

Introduction to TCP/IP

• Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the basic language or protocol used
for the Internet.

• In a general sense, protocols are formal rules of behaviour.

• TCP/IP was first developed by U.S. Department of Defence, as a research project for its
Advanced Research Projects Agency network (ARPAnet) in the late 1960s.

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• when computers communicate, it is necessary to define a set of rules to govern their

communications among different computers and devices created by different vendors. In data
communications these sets of rules are also called protocols.

The four layer of TCP/IP are:

• Application Layer

• Transport Layer

• Internet Layer

• Network Interface Layer

Wi-Fi

• The name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless
high-speed Internet and network connections.

• The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that owns the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) term specifically
defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards."

Uses of Wi-fi

• Wi-Fi enabled device such as a PC, video game console, mobile phone, MP3 player or PDA can
connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the Internet.

• Wireless network

• Wireless internet

Uses of Wi-fi

• Wi-Fi enabled device such as a PC, video game console, mobile phone, MP3 player or PDA can
connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the Internet.

• Wireless network

• Wireless internet

Bluetooth

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• Bluetooth is an open wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and
mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs).

• Bluetooth is a standard and a communications protocol primarily designed for low power
consumption, with a short range (power-class-dependent: 1 metre, 10 metres, 100 metres) based
on low-cost transceiver microchips in each device. Bluetooth makes it possible for these devices
to communicate with each other when they are in range.

Wi-MAX

• WiMAX, meaning Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

• It is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety

of transmission modes, from point-to-multipoint links to portable and fully mobile internet
access.

• WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system

• WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations,
and 3 - 10 miles (5 - 15 km) for mobile stations.

• WiMAX can be used for wireless networking

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