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Characteristics of communication systems - Answers
- Define the following terms:
Term Definition Blog Short for "Web Log," this term refers to a list of journal entries posted on a Web page Wireless access point A wireless access point is an intermediary device that exchanges information between various wireless devices such as a server and a laptop. Network interface card (NIC) Pronounced "nick," this is the card that physically makes the connection between a computer and a network cable. Hub A hardware device used to network multiple computers. It is a central connection for all the computers in a network. Information sent to the hub can flow to any other computer on the network. Router A hardware device that routes data (hence the name) from a local area network (LAN) to another network connection. Gateway Hardware or software that acts as a bridge between two networks so that data can be transferred between computers. Network topologies Describes the arrangement of systems on a computer network. It defines how the computers, or nodes, within the network are arranged and connected to each other. Some common network topologies include star, ring and bus. VOIP Voice Over the Internet Protocol. This is a relatively new technology that enables broadband users to send and receive voice calls via the Internet. Protocol When computers communicate with each other, there needs to be a common set of rules and instructions that each computer follows. A specific set of communication rules is called a protocol. Some examples include TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP. Switch Used to network multiple computers together. Switches made for the consumer market are typically small, flat boxes with 4 to 8 Ethernet ports. High-end switches can have more than 50 ports and often are rack mounted. Print server A computer or device to which one or more printers are connected. Ensures that there is always a printer available If one printer is temporarily out of service for some reason, the print server sends the print job to a different printer on the network. Wiki Allows users to add and update content on a website using a Web browser. Wikis are generally created by a collaborative effort of the site visitors. Intranet An Intranet is an internal or private network that can only be accessed within the confines of a particular organisation.
- Explain how Bluetooth technology is used to to connect and exchange information within communication systems. You may wish to consider devices such as mobile phones, laptops, video game consoles and personal computers.
This wireless technology enables communication between Bluetooth-compatible devices. It is used for short-range connections between desktop and laptop computers, PDAs, digital cameras, scanners, mobile, and printers. Because the technology is based on radio waves, there can be objects or even walls placed between the communicating devices and the connection won't be disrupted. Bluetooth uses a standard frequency so that all Bluetooth-enabled devices will be compatible with each other. A drawback of Bluetooth is its limited communication range. - Email is used regularly in business, both internally and externally. Explain how emails are sent across a network.
Usually a mail server would be needed and it would work something like this:
The server would have a list of email accounts, with one account for each person who can receive e-mail on the network. If someone wanted to send me a message, the person would compose a message using email software and indicate that the message should go to a recipient. When the person presses the send button, the software connects to the email server and transfers the name of the recipient, the name of the sender and the body of the message. - Communication systems have greatly changed the workplace. In relation to the following situation, briefly describe the changes to the nature of work that have taken place:
While sitting on a train on the way to her office, a worker for an accounting firm uses a laptop to check her email.
New wireless technology now allows employees to clock on while in transit which, in effect, is extending their work day and expanding their workplace beyond the office. There is an ongoing debate as to whether employees should be paid for the work they do while commuting. - Define virtual communities and discuss the impact they have had on social interactions.
Virtual or online communities involve a group of people primarily interacting via communication media such as chatrooms, social networks and forums. Many communities are highly cooperative and can be a good way to make connections with people who share similar interests and goals. However, there has been much speculation about the affect of online activities especially as internet users become overly involved in online relationships to the detriment of their ''offline" lives. - Briefly explain the relationship between RSS feeds and blogs.
RSS is stands for Really Simple Syndication and is a method of providing frequently updated website content such as blogs and news stories. RSS is a way to subscribe to a source of information. These sources are called feeds. Blogs are able to automatically generate RSS feeds which provide updates of new content. Users are able to subscribe to (recieve) RSS feeds with an email client or a feed reader or aggregator. - Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of electronic mail.
Examples include:
Disadvantages: worms and viruses can be sent via email; can become time-consuming for answering complicated questions and misunderstandings can arise, sensitive information can be easily distributed accidentally or deliberately
Advantages: effective in providing quick answers to "yes or no" type questions; can distribute information quickly to many people; many email messages can be saved and searched electronically - Research the term e-crime and discuss one of the areas where this form of criminal activity is having an impact on communication systems.
There are a variety of definitions for e-crime. The Australian Government's NetAlert site states e-crime "is where computer or other electronic communications devices (e.g. mobile phones) are used to commit an offence, be the target of an offence or act as a storage device in an offence" (www.netalert.gov.au, 2008). Identity theft is an example of e-crime. This usually involvesan individual falsely representing him or herself as either another person or a fictitious person to an organisation for some benefit (e.g. opening a bank account). - Explain the similarities and differences between the Internet, intranets and extranets.
An Intranet is an internal or private network that can only be accessed within the confines of a particular organisation whereas the Internet is a public network that spreads across the globe and consists of countless networks and computers. Extranet refers to an intranet that is partially accessible to authorized outsiders. You can generally access an extranet with a valid username and password. - Define podcasts and list three areas where this technology is emerging as a popular form of digital communication.
Podcasts are digital media files that are automatically delivered directly to your computer and transferred to your portable media player player. Three areas of use include: tutorials, story telling and musical performances (there are many, many more).
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