Module 7: A Connected World - Study Notes

Learning Objectives
After studying this module, you should be able to:
1. Describe the makeup of the Internet and the Web
2. Discuss navigational tools, search engines, and directories
3. Describe four common Internet services and how they are used in a business environment
4. Explain business applications of the Internet
5. Describe the role of intranets in various business functions
6. Describe the role of extranets in various business functions
7. Analyse Web trends and their impact on business
8. Analyse the Internet of Everything and its business applications

7-1 The Internet

Definition and History
• Internet: A worldwide collection of billions of computers and networks of all sizes. It is a network
of networks.
• Origin: Started in 1969 as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), a U.S.
Department of Defence project connecting four nodes:
• University of California at Los Angeles
• University of California at Santa Barbara
• Stanford Research Institute at Stanford University
• University of Utah at Salt Lake City
Growth and Usage
• As of January 2022:
• 307.2 million Internet users in the United States
• 92% of the U.S. population uses the Internet.
• 26.71 million people in the U.S. did not use the Internet
Infrastructure
• Internet Backbone: A foundation network linked with fiber-optic cables that can support very
high bandwidth.
• Made up of interconnected government, academic, commercial, and other high-capacity
data routers.
• Example: IBM’s backbone.
Evolution
• NSFNET: National Science Foundation Network, considered the first Internet backbone.
• Initially restricted to research and educational institutions; later opened to commercial
use.
• Web: Introduced in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN, adding a graphical interface to the largely
text-based system.
Hypermedia and URLs
• Hypermedia: Documents include embedded references to audio, text, images, video, and other
documents.
• Hypertext: Embedded references (links) within hypermedia documents.
• URLs (Uniform Resource Locators): Identify a Web page or site on the Internet.
• Example: http://www.csub.edu/~hbidgoli/books.html
• http: Hypertext Transfer Protocol
• www.csub.edu: Domain name (California State University at Bakersfield)
• /~hbidgoli: Directory where files are stored
• books.html: Document itself
Domain Name System (DNS)
• Domain Names: Unique identifiers of computer or network addresses (e.g., IBM.com,
whitehouse.gov).
 • IP Addresses: Assigned by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).
Example: 208.77.188.166.
• DNS Servers: Convert domain names to IP addresses.
Top-Level Domains (TLDs)
• Generic TLDs (gTLDs):
• .com: Commercial organizations
• .edu: Educational institutions
• .gov: Government organizations
• .net: Networks
• .org: Non-profit organizations
• Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs):
• .au: Australia
• .ca: Canada
• .fr: France
• .jp: Japan
• .uk: United Kingdom

7-1b Types of Internet Connections

• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line):
• Symmetric DSL (SDSL): Equal upstream and downstream rates (up to 1.5 Mbps).
• Asymmetric DSL (ADSL): Lower upstream rate (3.5 Mbps) than downstream (24 Mbps).
• Very High-Speed DSL (VDSL): Up to 100 Mbps over short distances.
• T1/T3 Lines:
• T1: Transports equivalent of 24 conventional telephone lines using two pairs of copper
wires (1.544 Mbps).
• T3: Supports transmission rates of 43–45 Mbps.

7-2 Navigational Tools, Search Engines, and Directories

Navigational Tools
• Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Opera.
• Features: Bookmarks, browsing history, navigation buttons, specialized toolbars.
Search Engines
• Examples: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Neeva, Ask.
• Process:
1. Crawling: Crawlers/spiders find new data and updates.
2. Indexing: Keywords index data from crawlers.
3. Searching: Prioritizes results based on relevance.
Directories
• Automated/Crawler-Based: Google, Yahoo!, Ask.
• Human-Powered: Open Directory.

7-3 Internet Services

E-Mail
• Types:
• Web-based: Accessible from any computer (e.g., Gmail, Outlook).
• Client-based: Installed on your computer (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird).
Newsgroups and Discussion Groups
• Discussion Groups: Exchange opinions/ideas on specific topics.
• Newsgroups: More general, covering any topic.
Instant Messaging (IM)
• Services: Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Windows Messenger, Google Chat.
• Features: Notifications, audio/video conversations.
Internet Telephony
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Uses the Internet for spoken conversations.
• Advantages: Cost savings, voicemail on computer, caller screening, call forwarding.

7-4 Web Applications

Tourism and Travel
• Examples: Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Priceline.com, TripAdvisor.
Publishing
• E-books, online ordering, search features.
Higher Education
• Online Degree Programs: Coursera, 2U.
• MOOCs: Massive Open Online Courses.
Real Estate
• Examples: Zillow, Remax, Century 21.
Employment
• Examples: LinkedIn, Monster.
Financial Institutions
• Online Banking: Account access, bill payment, fund transfer.
Software Distribution
• Cloud Subscriptions: Microsoft Office, Adobe suite.
Healthcare
• Telemedicine: Remote consultations, diagnoses.
• EHRs: Electronic Health Records (e.g., Kaiser Permanente's HealthConnect).

7-7 Social Media and Networking

RSS Feeds
• RSS (Really Simple Syndication): Distributes Web content in XML format.
Podcasts
• Subscription Model: Automatically collects new podcasts.
Twitter
• Real-Time Networking: Tweets limited to 280 characters.
Social Networking Sites
• Examples: Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram.

7-8 The Internet of Everything and Beyond

Internet of Everything (IoE)
• Definition: People, processes, data, and things interconnected via the Internet.
• Applications: Automated inventory systems, programmable appliances, smart road systems.
Internet of Things (IoT)
• Definition: Physical objects connected to the Internet.
• Examples: Smart refrigerators, wearable devices.
Internet of Me (IoM)
• Definition: Personalized Internet gathering information for individual users.
• Applications: Personalized medical care, customized news feeds.

Security Considerations
IoT Security Threats
• Hijacking: Sending spam, DDoS attacks.
• Shodan Search Engine: Provides information for hackers.
• Privacy Leaks: Residential locations, private information.
Security Recommendations
• Secure access logs, encrypted protocols, strong passwords, virtual LANs, firmware updates.
Central Node: Module 7: A Connected World

Branch 1: The Internet

Sub-Branch 1.1: Makeup of the Internet
- Network of networks
- ARPANET origins
- Domain Name System (DNS)
Sub-Branch 1.2: Internet Connections
- Types of connections (DSL, T1/T3 lines, etc.)
- Speeds and technologies

Branch 2: Navigational Tools, Search Engines, and Directories

Sub-Branch 2.1: Navigational Tools
- Web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, etc.)
- Features (history, bookmarks, preferences)
Sub-Branch 2.2: Search Engines
- Process (Crawling, Indexing, Searching)
- Examples (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo)
Sub-Branch 2.3: Directories
- Automated vs Human-powered directories
- Yahoo! Directory example

Branch 3: Internet Services

Sub-Branch 3.1: E-Mail
- Types (Web-based, Client-based)
- Features (folders, address books, attachments)
Sub-Branch 3.2: Newsgroups and Discussion Groups
- Purpose and examples
Sub-Branch 3.3: Instant Messaging
- Platforms (Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp)
Sub-Branch 3.4: Internet Telephony
- VoIP technology

Branch 4: Business Applications of the Internet

Sub-Branch 4.1: Tourism and Travel
- Booking platforms (Expedia, Travelocity)
Sub-Branch 4.2: Publishing
- Online bookstores and e-books
Sub-Branch 4.3: Higher Education
- Online degree programs
Sub-Branch 4.4: Real Estate
- Listings and virtual tours
Sub-Branch 4.5: Employment
- Job portals (LinkedIn, Monster)
Sub-Branch 4.6: Financial Institutions
- Online banking services
Sub-Branch 4.7: Software Distribution
- SaaS model
Sub-Branch 4.8: Healthcare
- Electronic health records (EHRs)
Sub-Branch 4.9: Politics
- Campaign websites
Branch 5: Intranets
Sub-Branch 5.1: Definition and Use
- Private network using Internet protocols
Sub-Branch 5.2: Applications
- HR management, Sales and marketing, Accounting

Branch 6: Extranets
Sub-Branch 6.1: Definition and Use
- Secure network connecting business partners
Sub-Branch 6.2: Benefits
- Coordination, Feedback, Customer satisfaction

Branch 7: Web Trends

Sub-Branch 7.1: Blogs
- Personal journals updated frequently
Sub-Branch 7.2: Wikis
- Collaborative websites
Sub-Branch 7.3: Social Networking Sites
- Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
Sub-Branch 7.4: RSS Feeds
- Content syndication
Sub-Branch 7.5: Podcasting
- Audio files for download

Branch 8: The Internet of Everything (IoE)

Sub-Branch 8.1: Definition
- Interconnection of people, processes, data, things
Sub-Branch 8.2: Components
- IoT, IoM
Sub-Branch 8.3: Applications
- Smart homes, Industrial IoT (IIoT)
INF1505 – Module 7
The Internet is a worldwide collection of billions of
computers and networks of all sizes. It is a
What is the Internet?
network of networks, derived from
"internetworking," which means connecting
networks.

ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet, was

When was ARPANET created?
created in September 1969 by the U.S.
Department of Defence.

The Internet backbone is a foundation network

linked with fiber-optic cables that supports very
What is the Internet backbone?
high bandwidth. It connects many government,
academic, commercial, and other high-capacity
data routers.

Domain names, such as IBM.com or

What are domain names used for? whitehouse.gov, are unique identifiers for
computer or network addresses on the Internet.
They are easier to remember than IP addresses.

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) identifies a

What is a URL? Web page or site on the Internet. For example,
http://www.csub.edu includes the protocol
(http), domain name (csub.edu), and path.

Hypermedia refers to documents that include

What is hypermedia? embedded references to audio, text, images,
video, and other documents. These references
are called hypertext.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a fast, easy

What is RSS? way to distribute Web content in XML format. It
allows users to subscribe to updates from
selected websites via a feed reader.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a protocol

What is VoIP? that allows spoken conversations to be
exchanged over the Internet instead of traditional
telephone networks.

Name four common Internet services. E-mail, newsgroups and discussion groups,
instant messaging (IM), and Internet telephony.
 An intranet is a private network within an
What is an intranet? organization that uses Internet protocols and
technologies to collect, store, and disseminate
useful information for business activities.

An extranet is a secure network that connects

What is an extranet? intranets of business partners, enabling
communication between organizations or
consumers.

1. The Internet is public, while an intranet is

What are two differences between the Internet
private.
and an intranet?
2. The Internet has less security compared to an
intranet, which restricts user access.

Web 3.0 focuses on intelligent Web applications

What is Web 3.0? using artificial intelligence, including natural
language processing, neural networks, and
semantic personalization.

IoT refers to physical objects connected to the

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? Internet and other objects, often using RFID,
barcodes, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. By 2025, over 75
billion objects may be connected.

IoE refers to the interconnection of people,

What is the Internet of Everything (IoE)? processes, data, and things via the Internet,
creating opportunities for automation, efficiency,
and innovation.

IoM is a personalized subset of the Internet that

What is the Internet of Me (IoM)? gathers and processes information for individual
users, delivering tailored experiences like search
results or medical care.

A wiki is a type of website that allows users to

What is a wiki?
add, delete, or modify content. Examples include
Wikipedia and corporate wikis for internal use.

A podcast is an electronic audio file posted on the

What is a podcast?
Web for users to download or listen to. Users can
subscribe to podcasts for automatic updates.
 Businesses can use LinkedIn to acquire new
What are two business applications of LinkedIn? customers, connect with existing ones, find
vendors, build industry networks, list jobs, and
conduct fundraising.

1. Devices can be hijacked to send spam emails.

What are three security risks associated with IoT 2. Devices can be used in botnets for DDoS
devices? attacks.
3. Unsecured devices may leak private
information, such as residential locations.
Test: Module 7 - A Connected World

Multiple-Choice Questions (20)

1. What is the Internet backbone?
A) A single server that manages all Internet traffic
B) A foundation network linked with fiber-optic cables supporting high bandwidth
C) A private network used by governments only
D) A protocol for sending e-mails
2. Which of the following is NOT a type of Internet connection discussed in the module?
A) Symmetric DSL (SDSL)
B) Asymmetric DSL (ADSL)
C) Very High-Speed DSL (VDSL)
D) Wireless DSL (WDSL)
3. What does VoIP stand for?
A) Voice over Internet Protocol
B) Virtual Office Internet Platform
C) Video on Internet Platforms
D) Voice over Instant Messaging
4. Which service allows users to communicate via private chat rooms on the Internet?
A) Newsgroups
B) Discussion groups
C) Instant messaging (IM)
D) RSS feeds
5. Which of the following is an example of a Web application in real estate?
A) Booking flights online
B) Creating virtual tours of homes
C) Sending newsletters via e-mail
D) Online job postings
6. What is the primary purpose of an intranet?
A) To connect businesses with customers
B) To provide public access to company information
C) To support internal business activities within an organization
D) To enable social networking
7. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Web 3.0?
A) Static content
B) Artificial intelligence
C) Semantic Web
D) Personalization
8. What does IoT stand for?
A) Internet of Technology
B) Internet of Things
C) Information on Technology
D) Interactive Online Tools
9. Which of the following is a benefit of using podcasts for businesses?
A) They can display advertisements on websites
B) They can provide instant feedback from customers
C) They can deliver personalized medical care
D) They can inform customers about products and services
10. What is the main difference between an Internet search engine and a directory?
A) Search engines use keywords, while directories use images
B) Search engines index pages automatically, while directories require manual submission
C) Search engines are free, while directories charge for access
D) Search engines are outdated, while directories are modern
11. Which of the following is NOT a common top-level domain (TLD)?
A) .com
B) .edu
C) .biz
D) .phone
12. What is the role of DNS servers?
A) To encrypt data transmissions
B) To convert domain names into IP addresses
C) To store user passwords
D) To manage social media accounts
13. Which of the following is an example of a smart home device?
A) Bluetooth basketball
B) Nest thermostat
C) RFID tag
D) QR code scanner
14. What is the primary advantage of extranets over the Internet?
A) They are public networks
B) They offer higher security for business partners
C) They allow unlimited geographical scope
D) They use proprietary protocols
15. Which of the following is NOT a business application of LinkedIn?
A) Finding new customers
B) Conducting remote surgeries
C) Building industry networks
D) Listing jobs
16. What is the main goal of the Internet of Me (IoM)?
A) To connect all physical objects
B) To provide personalized experiences for users
C) To enhance industrial manufacturing processes
D) To reduce energy consumption
17. Which of the following is a challenge associated with IoT devices?
A) They cannot be connected to Wi-Fi
B) They are always secure when purchased
C) They may leak private information
D) They are too expensive for most consumers
18. What is the purpose of RSS feeds?
A) To distribute Web content in XML format
B) To create hypermedia documents
C) To send encrypted messages
D) To track user behaviour
19. Which of the following is a key feature of Web 2.0?
A) Static content
B) Read-only interaction
C) User-generated content
D) Personalized search results
20. What is the main function of an extranet?
A) To serve as a public platform for marketing
B) To connect intranets of business partners securely
C) To replace traditional telephone systems
D) To store personal files
True or False Questions (20)
1. The Internet started as ARPANET in 1969.
2. Domain names like IBM.com are easier to remember than IP addresses.
3. Hypermedia documents cannot include embedded references to audio files.
4. Google's Knowledge Graph provides answers rather than just links.
5. E-mail is less popular than instant messaging in a business environment.
6. Facebook's Graph Search allows users to search for virtual representations of real-world objects.
7. Intranets are typically slower than the Internet.
8. Extranets are considered a type of interorganizational system (IOS).
9. RSS feeds are distributed in HTML format.
10. Twitter limits tweets to 280 characters for all languages.
11. Smart refrigerators can alert users when milk has expired.
12. The Internet of Everything (IoE) refers only to physical objects connected to the Internet.
13. VoIP calls are always of lower quality than traditional phone calls.
14. Podcasts are electronic audio files posted on the Web for download.
15. Social networking sites like Yelp help small businesses by allowing them to claim location spots.
16. The City24/7 project uses IoT to gather and share useful information in large cities.
17. IoT sensors cannot be used in healthcare systems.
18. The Internet backbone consists of interconnected government and academic routers.
19. Crawler-based directories update their indexes automatically when Web pages change.
20. The Internet of Me (IoM) focuses on gathering personalized information for individual users.

Fill in the Missing Word Questions (20)

1. The ___________ is a worldwide collection of billions of computers and networks.
2. A URL stands for ___________.
3. Hypertext includes embedded ___________ that users can click to follow a topic.
4. The first Internet backbone was created by the ___________.
5. An ___________ is a network within an organization that supports business activities.
6. TCP/IP is a suite of protocols used in the ___________ layer.
7. The process of collecting data from the Web by search engines is called ___________.
8. A ___________ is a subscription service for distributing Web content in XML format.
9. ___________ refers to physical objects connected to the Internet and other objects.
10. ___________ is a scripting language used for creating interactive Web pages.
11. A ___________ is a chain of written ideas or opinions exchanged among participants online.
12. ___________ is a video-sharing platform where users can upload and view videos.
13. The ___________ is a subset of the Internet that gathers personalized information for users.
14. ___________ allows users to check inventory status in supply chain management.
15. A ___________ is a type of wiki that includes tighter security and access controls.
16. The Internet of Things (IoT) could have an $___________ impact on the world economy by 2025.
17. A ___________ is a set of networking protocols that allows devices to discover each other.
18. The term "___________" refers to automated modules that search engines use to find new data.
19. ___________ is a secure network that connects intranets of business partners.
20. The Internet of Everything (IoE) includes connections between people, processes, data, and
___________.
Answers
Multiple-Choice Answers
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. D
10. B
11. D
12. B
13. B
14. B
15. B
16. B
17. C
18. A
19. C
20. B
True or False Answers
1. True
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. True
9. False
10. False
11. True
12. False
13. False
14. True
15. True
16. True
17. False
18. True
19. True
20. True
Fill in the Missing Word Answers
1. Internet
2. Uniform Resource Locator
3. links
4. National Science Foundation (NSFNET)
5. intranet
6. Application
7. crawling
8. RSS (Really Simple Syndication)
9. IoT (Internet of Things)
10. JavaScript
11. discussion thread
12. YouTube
13. Internet of Me (IoM)
14. IoT (Internet of Things)
15. corporate wiki
16. 11 trillion
17. UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
18. crawlers
19. extranet
20. things