The Latest Development in Networks and Communications

Name : Mohd Nizam bin Mohammad Zawawy

I/C Number : 931117-14-6421
School : SMK Gombak Setia
1.0 Introduction
A computer network is a system of interconnected computers and peripheral devices.
For example, it may connect computers, printers, scanners and cameras.
Communications is about the transfer of information from a sender, across a distance, to a
receiver whilst Computers communicate with digital signals. The older forms of
communications technology, such as telephones and radios, use analog signals.

2.0 Mobile Computing

2.1 Definition
Mobile computing is a generic term describing one's ability to use technology
while moving, as opposed to portable computers, which are only practical for use
while deployed in a stationary configuration. Many types of mobile computers have
been introduced since the 1990s, including the:
• Wearable computer
• Personal digital assistant/Enterprise digital assistant
• Smartphone
• Carputer
• Ultra-Mobile PC

2.2 Specification, Services and Frequencies of Mobile Computing

Personal digital assistants (usually abbreviated to PDAs) are handheld devices
that were originally designed as personal organizers, but became much more versatile
over the years.
The many uses and tasks of a basic PDA include many features: calculating,
use as a clock and calendar, playing computer games, accessing the Internet, sending
and receiving E-mails, use as a radio or stereo, video recording, recording notes, use
as an address book, and use as a spreadsheet. Newer PDAs also have both coloor
screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones (PDA
Phone), web browsers or media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets
or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks (WWANs).
3.0 Internet technology and services
3.1 VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a general term for a family of
transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks
such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks. Other terms frequently
encountered and synonymous with VoIP are IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice
over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, and broadband phone.
Internet telephony refers to communications services-voice, facsimile, and
voice-messaging applications-that are transported via the Internet, rather than the
public switched telephone network (PSTN). The basic steps involved in originating an
Internet telephone call are conversion of the analog voice signal to digital format and
compression/translation of the signal into Internet protocol (IP) packets for
transmission over the Internet; the process is reversed at the receiving end.
VoIP systems employ session control protocols to control the set-up and tear-
down of calls as well as audio codes which encode speech allowing transmission over
an IP network as digital audio via an audio stream. Codec use is varied between
different implementations of VoIP (and often a range of codes are used); some
implementations rely on narrowband and compressed speech, while others support
high fidelity stereo codes.

3.2 BLOG
A blog is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular
entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or
video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as
more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs,
Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in
an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual,
although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketches (sketchblog), videos
(vlog), music (MP3 blog), and audio (podcasting). Micro-blogging is another type of
blogging, featuring very short posts.
4.0 Types of network
4.1 PAN
A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for
communication among computer devices close to one person. Some examples of
devices that are used in a PAN are personal computers, printers, fax machines,
telephones, PDAs, scanners, and even video game consoles. Such a PAN may include
wired and wireless connections between devices. The reach of a PAN is typically at
least about 20-30 feet (approximately 6-9 meters), but this is expected to increase with
technology improvements.

4.2 VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is a computer network in which some of the
links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger
network (e.g., the Internet) instead of by physical wires. The data link layer protocols
of the virtual network are said to be tunneled through the larger network when this is
the case. One common application is secure communications through the public
Internet, but a VPN need not have explicit security features, such as authentication or
content encryption. VPNs, for example, can be used to separate the traffic of different
user communities over an underlying network with strong security features.
A VPN may have best-effort performance, or may have a defined service level
agreement (SLA) between the VPN customer and the VPN service provider.
Generally, a VPN has a topology more complex than point-to-point.
A VPN allows computer users to appear to be editing from an IP address
location other than the one which connects the actual computer to the Internet.
 4.3 WLAN
WLANs provide wireless network communication over short distances using
radio or infrared signals instead of traditional network cabling.
A WLAN typically extends an existing wired local area network. WLANs are
built by attaching a device called the access point (AP) to the edge of the wired
network. Clients communicate with the AP using a wireless network adapter similar
in function to a traditional Ethernet adapter.
Network security remains an important issue for WLANs. Random wireless
clients must usually be prohibited from joining the WLAN. Technologies like WEP
raise the level of security on wireless networks to rival that of traditional wired
networks.

4.4 WIMAX
WiMax is the industry term for a long-range wireless networking standard.
WiMax technology has the potential to deliver high-speed Internet access to rural
areas and other locations not serviced by cable or DSL technology. WiMax also offers
an alternative to satellite Internet services.
WiMax technology is based on the IEEE 802.16 WAN communications
standard. WiMax signals can function over a distance of several miles / kilometers.
Data rates for WiMax can reach up to 75 megabits per second (Mb/s). A number of
wireless signaling options exist ranging anywhere from the 2 GHz range up to 66
GHz.

5.0 Conclusion
Network communication is an ever-growing industry with new technologies and
standards emerging every day. To use a communication network effectively you need to
know the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the various types of networks possible.
References
• http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=mobile+computing&i=47137,00.
asp
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
• http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/a/network_types.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Area_Network
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_LAN
• http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/definition/wimax.asp