MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Q1 Using specific examples, describe how computerization would help your department perform more
efficiently and effectively. Also explain how computerization will help better decision-making, analysis
and planning?

Q2 In what ways will the use of IT and Internet enhance your job function as a Middle Manager? Discuss
with examples with respect to either HRD Function or Marketing Function or Finance Function?

Q3 Giving suitable examples explain how and why IT and computers have contributed in increasing
productivity and competitiveness of organizations in doing business.

Q4 Write a note on how IT can help an organization in gaining competitive advantage

Q87 How does IT contribute towards increasing productivity and in doing business better? Explain with
reference to any one function in your organization in detail.

(Ans 1-4, 87)

Scenario before IT

• More paper work

• Lack of storage space
• Communication was expensive and huge Telephone bills were incurred
• Redundancy of information
• Lack of Information security

Scenario after IT

• Less paper work due to the use of computerized transactions

• Storage space greatly increased to store huge amounts of data running into terabytes
• Streamlined communication and convergence has enabled different modes of
communication as well as different devices to communicate and share information across
the globe
• Communication today is less expensive and in most cases almost free as many calls
happen online using free softwares like skype and other online chat and messenger
applications.
• Use of databases have helped optimize data and reduce redundancy thereby offering
easy and powerful access to the information warehouses and showing different users the
data they seek in different ways wherever and whenever they need it.
• Use of sophisticated databases has also brought in data security leading to overall
information security and safety. This allows for only authorized users to communicate and
access data from the databases
• Data Analysis and generation of Metrics have helped users and organizations perform
their decision making activities to be more effective and accurate.
• Information has now become more Accessible, Reachable, Portable and Editable across
mediums and devices and across users as well.

IT and Internet has enhanced the job functions of a middle managers working in the HR, Finance
and Marketing functions in the following manner:

HRD Function

• Recruitment processes have been automated wherein software tools like CV scanners
and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) have been introduced to scan and filter the

Page 1 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

appropriate CV’s from thousand applicants and then tracking the applicants candidature
from recruitment to selection in the organization.
• Payroll function also uses IT to automate disbursement of salaries and claims and other
financial related transactions that concern the employees or the organization and its
stakeholders
• Online banking ensures that organizations can deposit employee salaries in banks and
employees can transact online without having to physically visit a bank or deal in physical
cash.
• Use of E-HRIS (Electronic Human Resource Information Systems) has automated the
tasks of employee – HR communication. They serve as a virtual HR manager who takes
care of employee related transactions online. These transactions can range from entering
daily times sheets, claiming for late sitting re-imbursements, Mediclaims and LTA claims,
posting grievances online to applying for leave online etc.
• Allocations of employees and online skill matrices of employees with their skill sets helps
the HR functions to optimally use the human capital
• Use of Intranets have empowered the HR managers to leverage this platform for Internal
communication within the organization
• Today Employee Satisfaction and other key surveys are conducted online using the
companies Intranets and the data collected is collated, analysed and used for decision
making by the HR function.
• Use of Enterprise HR applications like SAP, Oracle PeopleSoft etc have enabled the HR
functions to work well with the human capital across business functions, branches and
continents in a very synchronous and effective manner

Finance Function

• Use of software’s like Tally and other financial accounting packages have helped the
finance departments and financial accountants greatly by automating financial
transactions and ensuring their accuracy and integrity
• Today balance sheets and other financial records can be easily created, maintained and
distributed online to stakeholders
• Online banking has enabled transactions between financial departments and banks
• Usage of financial modules of Enterprise Resource Planning applications have
empowered organizations to effectively manage their finances
• Automated tools help Finance managers make projections and predictions thereby
guiding the overall organization goals
• E-Finance has reduced paperwork and created a revolution where digital money /
transactions have greatly impacted global electronic commerce and global transactions

Marketing Function

• Today Marketing managers use tools like e-Marketing to reach out to customers across
the globe
• Marketing has leveraged the power of IT and internet in bringing together new markets
and new customers and has created a virtual marketplace where users, organizations
exchange goods, services, information, ideas etc.
• Customers can now give their product related suggestions, feedbacks and even register
their issues or complaints to the manufacturing or product development departments
directly using CRM (Customer Relationship Mgmt) softwares
• Middle to high level managers can use the internet and the various communication
facilities that come with it to network with their userbase
• Online banner advertisements can rake in a lot of money and generate new revenue
streams

Page 2 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

• Traditional brick and mortar business is now being complimented and eventually replaced
by online business and e-Commerce
• Enterprise Resource Planning Applications like SAP, Oracle etc have modules for
Marketing and Distribution that helps the materials planning function, logistics, Supply
Chain functions and CRM functions as well.
• Marketing managers can now IT enable the small and third party vendors to connect to
their organizations network so that they can check the organizations inventory levels and
continuously replenish them as and when required, this helps them to save a lot as they
do not have to store goods unnecessarily thereby incurring warehousing expenses.
Instead they can operate on Just in Time basis.
• Marketing Services in the services industry can also be greatly enhanced by use of IT
and internet as now all services can be accessed online, and users can get help online
as well as offline.

This is how computerization, the advent of IT and Internet has helped departments like these to
perform more efficiently and enhanced the role of middle level managers in organizations.

(Ans 5-8)

An operating system (OS) is a set of computer programs that manage the hardware and software
resources of a computer. It is a system software that manages the operations of a computer.
Without it you cannot start a computer.

The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must
have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as
recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files
and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a
traffic cop -- it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not
interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that
unauthorized users do not access the system.

Page 3 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Most operating systems come with an application that provides an interface to the OS managed
resources. These applications have had command line interpreters (eg. DOS – Disk Operating
System) as a basic user interface but, since the mid-1980s, have been implemented as a
graphical user interface (GUI) for ease of operation. Operating Systems themselves have no user
interfaces; the user of an OS is an application, not a person. The operating system forms a
platform for other system software and for application software. Windows, Linux, and Mac OS are
some of the most popular OSes.

Types of Operating Systems

a) Single User Operating System

b) Multi-User Operating System

Single User Operating System

• This OS is used for standalone PC’s (eg. MS DOS)

• OS/2 and Win NT ar also single user, multi tasking OS for micro computers
• Most Personal Computers and Workstations are Single User computer systems that have
a single user OS

Multi-User Operating System

• This OS is used for those computers having many terminals connected to it. Eg. Linux,
Netware, Unix
• All Mainframes and Minicomputers are multi-user systems that run on a multi-user OS

Operating System Techniques

• Multiprogramming
- In which a single CPU works on two or more programs
- In this technique the OS keeps the CPU busy by allowing either batch
multiprogramming or timesharing multiprogramming

• Multiprocessing
- Refers to a computers ability to support more than one process (program) at the
same time.
- It is also referred to as parallel processing
- Unix is one of the most widely used multiprocessing systems

• Multitasking
- It is the computers ability to execute more than one task at the same time.
- In multitasking only one CPU is involved, but it switches from one program to
another so quickly that it gives the appearance of executing all of the programs at
the same time.

• Multithreading
- It’s the ability of an OS to execute different parts of a program, called threads,
simultaneously.
- Programmers must carefully design the programs in such a way that all the
threads can run at the same time without interfering with each other.

• Real Time
- It means occurring immediately.

Page 4 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

- Real time operating systems are systems that respond to input immediately.
- They are useful for tasks like GPS, Navigation in which computers are required
to react to a steady flow of new information without interruption or delays.

Functions of an Operating System

a) Process Management
- OS helps the CPU allocate resources for executing programs / processes. A process is
a program in execution. E.g. Spooling, printing etc. The OS helps in the creation,
deletion, suspension, resumption and synchronization of processes.

b) Memory Management
- Memory is a large array of words and bytes each with its own address. The CPU reads
from and writes to memory. The OS keeps track of currently used memory and who is
using it. It decides which processes to load in memory when memory space becomes
available and it allocates & de-allocates memory space as needed.

c) Storage Management
- The OS deals with the allocation and reclamation of storage space when a process /
program is opened or terminated. The OS helps in reading of data from the disk to the
main memory (RAM) in order to execute processes.

d) I/O (Input / Output) System

- The OS helps the I/O devices to communicate easily as it hides the peculiarities and
device driver details from the end user.

e) File Management
- The OS provides a logical view of Information Storage, it maps files on physical devices.
It helps in the creation, deletion of files and directories, manipulating of files and
directories on to the storage and also does a backup. It offers a very user friendly
interface like the windows explorer for end users like us to work with files easily.

f) Protection System
- The OS protects processes from interference of other processes and it checks for
authorization of processes and allows them to access CPU resources.

g) Networking
- Distributed computing systems require Multi-user OS for allowing processes and users
the access to shared resources on the network.

h) System and Resource Monitoring

- The OS helps monitor resource usage and provides information on system
performance.

Page 5 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

(Ans 10-11)

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

Abbreviated GUI (pronounced GOO-ee). A program interface that takes advantage of the
computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user
interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages.

Graphical user interfaces, such as Microsoft Windows and the one used by the Apple Macintosh,
feature the following basic components:

 pointer: A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you move to select objects
and commands. Usually, the pointer appears as a small angled arrow. Text -processing
applications, however, use an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a capital I.
 pointing device: A device, such as a mouse or trackball, that enables you to select
objects on the display screen.
 icons: Small pictures that represent commands, files, or windows. By moving the pointer
to the icon and pressing a mouse button, you can execute a command or convert the
icon into a window. You can also move the icons around the display screen as if they
were real objects on your desk.
 desktop: The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is often referred to as
the desktop because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real desktop.
 windows: You can divide the screen into different areas. In each window, you can run a
different program or display a different file. You can move windows around the display
screen, and change their shape and size at will.
 menus: Most graphical user interfaces let you execute commands by selecting a choice
from a menu.

The first graphical user interface was designed by Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center
in the 1970s, but it was not until the 1980s and the emergence of the Apple Macintosh that
graphical user interfaces became popular. One reason for their slow acceptance was the fact that
they require considerable CPU power and a high-quality monitor, which until recently were
prohibitively expensive.

In addition to their visual components, graphical user interfaces also make it easier to move data
from one application to another. A true GUI includes standard formats for representing text and
graphics. Because the formats are well-defined, different programs that run under a common GUI
can share data. This makes it possible, for example, to copy a graph created by a spreadsheet
program into a document created by a word processor.

Many DOS programs include some features of GUIs, such as menus, but are not graphics based.
Such interfaces are sometimes called graphical character-based user interfaces to distinguish
them from true GUIs.

CUI (Character User Interface)

Describes programs capable of displaying only ASCII (American Standard Code for Information
Interchange) characters. Character-based programs treat a display screen as an array of boxes,
each of which can hold one character. When in text mode, for example, PC screens are typically
divided into 25 rows and 80 columns. In contrast, graphics-based programs treat the display
screen as an array of millions of pixels. Characters and other objects are formed by illuminating
patterns of pixels.

Page 6 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Because the IBM extended ASCII character set includes shapes for drawing pictures, character-
based programs are capable of simulating some graphics objects. For example, character-based
programs can display windows and menus, bar charts, and other shapes that consist primarily of
straight lines. However, they cannot represent more complicated objects that contain curves.

A Command Line Interface or CLI is a method of interacting with an operating system or

software using a command line interpreter. A command line interpreter is a computer program
that reads lines of text entered by a user and interprets them in the context of a given operating
system or programming language.

This requires the user to know the names of the commands and their parameters, and the syntax
of the language that is interpreted. From the 1960s onwards, user interaction with computers was
primarily by means of command line interfaces

Distinguish between GUI & CUI / CLI

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Character User Interface (CUI)

• Generally used in Multimedia,
elearning, Demo’s etc
• Consists of a Visual / Graphical control
featuress using toolbars, buttons,
icons, menus etc
• Used to create animations or pictures
• A variety of input devices are used to
manipulate text & images as visually
displayed
• Its usually a graphical Interface, eg.
Web pages, Navigation etc
• GUI can be affected by Virus
• Eg. Windows OS, Apple OS
• Generally used in programing
languages
• Consists of character control features
such as text elements or characters
• Used to create words or sentences or
syntax commands
• Allows users to specify options through
function keys
• Its purely textual (commands which are
understood by computers)
• Proves less afftected by virus
• Eg. Disk Operating System (DOS)

All Operating Systems today provide a Graphical User Interface. Applications use GUI, eg. Web
Applications, ATM Softwares etc. The GUI uses metaphors for helping users understand the
nature of activities they can perform. Eg. Home Icon which indicates the homepage, Lock and
Key Icon which indicates security etc. GUI may also include audio, video. GUI is also known as
“Look and Feel”.

Apple Mac OS & Win OS are todays familiar GUI’s.

Page 7 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

(Ans 12, 16)

The Birth of the Internet

While computers were not a new concept in the 1950’s there were relatively few computers in
existence and the field of computer science was still in its infancy. Most of the advances in
technology at the time – cryptography, radar, battlefield communications – were due to military
operations during World War II, and it was in fact, government activities that led to the
development of the Internet.

On October 4, 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first unmanned satellite in space, and the
US Government under President Eisenhower subsequently launched an aggressive military
campaign to compete and surpass the Soviet activities. From the launch of Sputnik and the
U.S.S.R. testing its first ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missle) the Advanced Research Projects
Agency (ARPA) was born. ARPA was the U.S. Governments research agency for all space and
strategic missile research. In 1958, NASA was formed, and the activities of ARPA moved away
from aeronautics and focused mainly on computer science and information processing. One of
ARPA’s goals was to connect mainframe computers at different universities around the country so
that they would be able to communicate using a common language and a common protocol. Thus
the ARPAnet – The world’s first multiple-site computer network—was created in 1969.

The original ARPAnet eventually grew into the Internet. The Internet was based on the concept
that there would be multiple independent networks that began with the ARPAnet as the
pioneering packet-switching network but would soon include packet satellite networks and
ground-based radio networks.

Why the Intranet is also known as the network of networks

The intranet is the publicly accessible worldwide system of interconnected computer networks
that transmit data by packet switching using a standardized Internet Protocol like TCP/IP (i.e.
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and may other protocols. It is made up of
thousands of smaller commercial, academic, domestic and government networks. It carries
various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat and the interlinked web
pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.

Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Intranet is decentralized by design.
Each Internet Computer, called a host, is independent. Its operators can choose which Internet
services to use and which local services to make available to the global internet community. It is
possible to gain access to the Internet through a commercial ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Illustration of the Internet Architecture:

Page 8 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Difference between Internet and the World Wide Web

Many people use the terms Internet and World Wide Web interchangeably, but in fact the two
terms are not the same thing. They are both separate but related concepts. The Internet is a
massive network of networks. It connects millions of computers together globally, forming a
network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are
both connected to the Internet. Information that travels over the Internet does so via a variety of
languages known as protocols.

The World Wide Web also known as the “Web” is a way of accessing information over the
medium of the Internet. It is an information-sharing model that is built on top of the Internet. The
web uses the HTTP Protocol. Web services which use HTTP to allow applications to
communicate in order to exchange business logic, use the Weorld Wide Web to share
information. The web also makes use of browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, or
Firefox to access web documents called web pages that are linked to each other via hyperlinks.
Web documents contain graphics, sounds, texct and video. So the Web is just a lage portion of
the Internet but the two terms are not the same and should not be confused with each other.

Page 9 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

(Ans 13, 29)

Internet has paved the way for Electronic Commerce (e-Commerce), which can be defined as the
‘business activities conducted using electronic data transmission technologies, such as those
used on the Internet and the World Wide Web.’ It involves buying, selling, transferring or
exchanging products, services, and / or information via computer networks and is a major
distribution channel for goods, services and managerial and professional jobs.

Companies today are interested in E-Commerce simply because it can help increase sales and
profits and decrease costs. Even a small firm that advertises on the web can get their message
out to potential customers in every country in the world. E-Commerce has proven to have many
benefits and advantages. E-Commerce plays a major role in global reach. It expands the
marketplace to national and international markets. E-Commerce allows firms to now reach narrow
market segments that are geographically scattered. People in third world countries are now able
to enjoy products and services that were unavailable in the past.

It is important to understand that not only does E-Commerce benefit the Seller or the Company,
but it also benefits the buyer or the customer. One main benefit of E-Commerce is that it is
particularly useful in creating virtual communities that become ideal target markets for specific
types of products and services. Just as E-Commerce increases the sales opportunities for the
seller, it increases the purchasing opportunities for the buyer. With minimum investment, a
business can use E-Commerce to easily and quickly identify the best suppliers, more customers
and the most suitable business partners worldwide. By expanding the base of consumers and
suppliers, enables an organization to buy at cheap rates and sell more at competitive and lower
prices.

E-Commerce has also given a great boost to Supply Chain Management (SCM). Today using E-
Commerce companies can manage the integration of all activities within and between
enterprises. Some of these activities include Procurement, Inventory Management and Logistics.
The Internet and E-Commerce revolution allows you to manage your Supply Chain better by
effectively integrating a system of suppliers, partners, customers and employees. This nowadays
is done online with the help of customized Extranets, use of Virtual Private Networks, Emails and
other collaboration tools and hence today this activity can be referred to as e-SCM. The Internet
and E-Commerce has benefited the SCM process by decreasing operating costs through reduced
inventory requirements. It has improved customer satisfaction by maintaining adequate inventory
and has improved productivity and logistics.

The Internet will help you provide better customer service by delivering rich on-demand solutions.
Better customer service results in brand loyalty and this results in good revenue. Internet and E-
Commerce has helped companies support their existing customers, develop new customers and
retain profitable customers. Today customers can reach the manufacturers online and share
market research data; they can make complaints online and even send their suggestions for
product / service improvements online, and even track he progress of their orders online (e.g.
Fedex allows its customers to track the status of their courier packages online.)

Thus it can be said that the use of Internet and E-Commerce has improved margins, increased
customer awareness and increased competitive advantage in today’s new economy and has
brought the manufacturers and customers closer to each other and has resulted into better CRM
and SCM.

Page 10 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Q25 Computers & communications seem to merge together seamlessly. Discuss?

Q26 Why are the computer and computer related devices networked in an organization?

Q27 What are the benefits of networking?

Q28 An integrated company wide computerization is the only way of deriving full benefits of Information
technology today. Discuss?

Q35 What is networking?

Q36 Describe the benefits of networking with examples?

Q37 Why are computers and computer related devices networked in an organization?

(Ans 25, 26, 27, 28, 35, 36, 37)

Definition of Networking
Networking can be explained as the linking of a number of devices, such as computers,
workstations, printers, and Audio Video gear into a network (system) for the purpose of sharing
resources and exchange of information between them.

A network is not just a bunch of computers with wires running between them. When properly
implemented, a network is a system that provides its users with unique capabilities, above and
beyond what the individual machines and their software applications can provide.

Most of the benefits of networking can be divided into two generic categories: connectivity and
sharing. Networks allow computers, and hence their users, to be connected together. They also
allow for the easy sharing of information and resources, and cooperation between the devices in
other ways. Since modern business depends so much on the intelligent flow and management of
information, this tells you a lot about why networking is so valuable.

Here are some of the specific advantages generally associated with networking:

a) Connectivity and Communication:

Networks connect computers ad the users of those computers. Indivduals within a building or
work group can be connected into local area networks (LANs); LANs in distant locations can be
interconnected into larger wide area network (WANs). Once connected, it is possible for network
users to communicate with each other using technologies such as electronic mail. This makes the
transmission of business (or non-business) information easier, more efficient and less expensive
than it would be without the network. Today people and processes have come together via the
emergence of networks.

b) Data Sharing:

One of the most important uses of networking is to allow the sharing of data. Before networking
was common, an accounting employee who wanted to prepare a report for her manager would
have to produce it on his PC, put it on a floppy disk and then walk it over to the manager, who
would transfer the data to his or her PC’s hard disk. Today true networking allows thousands of
employees to share data much more easily and quickly than this. More so, it makes possible
applications that rely on the ability of many people to access and share the same data, such as
databases, group software development, and much more. Intranets and extranets can be used to
distribute corporate information between sites and to business partners.

Page 11 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

c) Hardware Sharing:

Networks facilitate the sharing of hardware devices. For example, instead of giving each of 10
employees in a department an expensive color printer, one printer can be placed on the network
for everyone to share.

d) Internet Access:

The internet is itself an enormous network, so whenever you access the Internet, you are using a
network. The significance of the Internet on modern society is hard to exaggerate, especially for
those of us in technical fields.

e) Internet Access Sharing:

Small computer networks allow multiple users to share a single Internet connection. Special
hardware devices allow the bandwidth of the connection to be easily allocated to various
individuals as they need it, and permit an organization to purchase one high-speed connection
instead of many slower ones.

f) Data Security, Data Backup and Management:

In a business environment, a network allows the administrators to much better manage the
company’s critical data. Instead of having this data spread over dozens or even hundreds of small
computers in a haphazard fashion as their users create it. Data can be centralized on shared
servers. They can also be easily backed up. This makes it easy for everyone to find the data,
makes it possible for the administrators to ensure that the data is regularly backed up, and also
allows for the implementation of security measures to control who can read or change various
pieces of critical information.

g) Performance Enhancement and Balancing:

Under some circumstances, a network can be used to enhance the overall performance of some
applications by distributing the computation tasks to various computers on the network.

h) Entertainment:

Networks facilitate many types of games and entertainment. The Internet itself offers many
sources of entertainment. Today many multi-player games exist that operate over a local area
network. Many home networks are set up for this reason, and gaming across wide area networks
(including the internet) has also become quite popular.

Page 12 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

The ISO – OSI Model for Networking

(Ans)

The Open Systems Interface means a system that can communicate with any other system that
follows the specified standards, formats and semantics. The Open system Interface works well
because of protocols that specify how the communicating parties may communicate.

The OSI Model supports two types of ‘Protocols’ namely:

a) Connection – Oriented:
- Sender and receiver first establish a connection, possibly negotiate on a protocol
- Transmit the stream of data
- Release the connection when done
- Eg. Telephone connection

b) Connectionless:
- No advance setup is needed
- You can transmit the messages to the receiver irrespective of whether the receiver is
online or offline.

Page 13 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Features of the OSI Model are listed below:

• Consists of 7 layers. Each layer deals with a specific aspect of communication

• Each layer provides an interface to the layer above it. In other words each layer above
provides some support to the layer before it.
• Messages are sent from the top layer (i.e. Application Layer) and is passed on the next
lower layer until the message reaches the bottom layer (i.e. Physical Layer).
• At each level / layer, a header may be added to the message. Some layers add both a
header and a trailer.
• The lowest layer transmits the message over the network to the receiving machine. The
physical layer of the sender communicates with the physical layer of the receivers
machine
• Each layer then strips the header or trailer, handles the message using the protocol
provided by the layer and passes it on the next layer above it, until it moves right up to
the application layer of the receiver’s machine.

a) The Physical Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Physical Layer:

• The phsyical layer is concerned with the transmission of bits

• It follows a two way or one way transmission
• It follows standard protocols which deal with electrical, mechanical and signalling
interfaces

b) The Data Link Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Data Link Layer:

• Handles errors in the phyical layer

• Groups bits into frames and ensures their correct delivery
• Adds some bits at the beginning and end of each frame plus the checksum
• The Data Link Layer on the receivers machine verifies the checksum and if the checksum
is not correct, it asks for retransmission
• Consists of two layers (Logical Link Control) which defines how data is transferred over
the cable and provides data link service to the higher layers. The second layer is
(Medium Access Control or MAC layer) which defines who can use the network when
multiple computers are trying to access the network simultaneously.

c) The Network Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Network Layer:

• Concerned with the transmission of packets

• Chooses the best path to send a packet (routing) to ensure speedy delivery of data
• It may be complex in a large network (e.g. Internet)
• It uses a connection oriented protocol called X.25 for telephone connections and also
used Internet Protocol for establishing connectionless networks.

d) The Transport Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Transport Layer:

Page 14 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

• Since the network layer does not deal with lost messages, the transport layer above it
ensures reliable service
• This layer breaks the message from the sessions layer above it into small packets,
assigns sequence number and sends them to the network layer below it for transmission
over the network
• This layer is also supported in the Internet Protocol suite.

e) The Sessions Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Sessions Layer:

• Very few applications use this.

• Its an enhanced version of the transport layer and helps in dialog control, synchronization
faciltiies.
• Not supported by the Internet Protocol suite

f) The Presentation Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Presentation Layer:

• Very few applications use it

• Concerned with the semantics of the bits sent
• Sender can tell the receiver the format of the data that is being sent

g) The Application Layer:

Following are the characteristics of the Application Layer:

• This is the layer where users actuall work on

• This layer consists of applications which communicate using protocols
• Email, file transfer, remote login applications use protocols like SMTP, FTP, Telnet etc.

Page 15 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Understanding the Network Tree

(Ans)

The following illustration outlines the concepts that belong to the world of networking and explains
their hierarchy.

Network Tree

Medium Geographical Distance Topology Switching

/ Location

Wired Wireles LAN Bus Circuit Packet

s
MAN Ring

WAN Star

Co-Axial Cable Infrared SAN Mesh

Twisted Pair Cable Blue Tooth

Fiber Optic Cable Wi-Fi

Wi-Max

Page 16 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Networks > Medium: Wired > Coaxial Cable
A type of wire that consists of a center wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield
of braided wire. The shield minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference.

Coaxial cabling is the primary type of cabling used by the cable television industry and is also
widely used for computer networks, such as Ethernet. Although more expensive than standard
telephone wire, it is much less susceptible to interference and can carry much more data.

Features:

• Used extensively in LANs.

• Has a single central conductor surrounded by a circular insulation layer and a conductive
shield.
• Offers a high bandwidth of upto 400 Mhz.
• Offers a high quality of data transmission
• Offers maximum data transfer rates of 100 Mbps

Problems:

• It can have signal loss when data is sent at high frequencies

Page 17 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Networks > Medium: Wired > Twisted Pair Cable

Features:

• Extensively used in telephone circuits where several wires are insulated and put together
• Offers bandwidth of around 250 Khz
• It has a low signal to noise ratio (crosstalk)
• It offers a low data transfer rate
• Its preferred for short distance communications
• Its generally used in LAN

Networks > Medium: Wired > Fiber Optic Cable

Features:

• Used for applications requiring a high quality and high bandwidth of data transfer
• Uses light instead of electric pulses for data transmission
• It offers very high frequency ranges of around 20,000 Mhz and higher
• A single fiber can support over 30,000 telephone lines

Page 18 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

• It offers data transmission rates of 400 Mbps and higher
• It has become very popular for LAN and MAN as well as for Intercontinental links
• It has a high signal to noise ratio and is very difficult to tap into the data transmission
happening inside an optic fiber
• Earlier its cost was a big drawback but today the use of pure plastic has made optic fiber
very economical and commercially feasible to use.

Networks > Medium: Wireless > Infrared

Infrared technology has been around for ages, and is something that we’ve all come to take for
granted in television, VCR, DVD remote control devices.

What Infrared does?

Infrared allows transmission of data over very short distances. One cannot transmit huge
amounts of data via Infrared. For example, the remote control unit and the equipment share a
special radio frequency or code, which allows the remote unit to transmit a one-way signal. Just
point the remote device at whatever you want to control, and press the button.

How it works?

IR technology only works over short distances of less than 25 feet, and there cant be anything
solid, like walls, standing in the way as an obstacle. Infrared is a one-way communication. It
requires a clear line of sight between the devices.

How it is used?

Most of today’s computers and printers have built-in infrared technology that allows you to print
without bulky cables. All mobile phones have infrared built in as well for allowing their users to do
a data transfer with other devices like beaming addresses, notes and other data.

Networks > Medium: Wireless > Bluetooth

Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range radio technology. Bluetooth wireless technology

makes it possible to transmit signals over short distances between telephones, computers and
other devices and thereby simplify communication and synchronization between devices.
Bluetooth is the name of a protocol for a short range (10 meter) frequency-hopping 2.4 GHz radio
link between wireless devices such as a mobile phone and a PC. The idea is to make
connections between different electronic items much easier and simpler, and without a lot of
operator intervention. Bluetooth was launched in 1998 as a joint effort between Ericsson, IBM,
Intel, Nokia and Toshiba. Over 1000 companies are now involved in the effort -- so you can see
that it has stirred a lot of interest in the wireless community.

Bluetooth is similar to infrared, but taken a step further. Instead of one-way transmissions,
Bluetooth allows multiple devices from multiple manufacturers to speak the same wireless
language without the conflicts that are found in standard infrared. The Bluetooth standard was
jointly developed by a group of key players in the technology industry to ensure compatibility
between various wireless devices. It was named after the dutch king Harold Bluetooth who was
famous for bringing together the warring tribes of the Scandinavian region and built a strong
network of allies.

Page 19 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

What Bluetooth does?

Bluetooth operates over short distances of around 30 feet or less, and it requires a clear line of
sight between the devices. Bluetooth allows you to create your own PWAN (private wireless area
network) where you can hook up upto eight devices without the hassle of cables and cords.
Popular day to day use of Bluetooth can be found in many of today’s wireless keyboards, wireless
mouse, cellphone handsets etc.

How Bluetooth works?

Bluetooth operates over the unlicensed 2.5 Ghz radio spectrum which allows Bluetooth-enabled
equipment to operate anywhere in the world. Bluetooth uses more than 71 different frequencies,
which allows a signal to hop around from one frequency to another to avoid conflicts with other
devices.

How is Bluetooth used?

Bluetooth enabled PDAs such as Pocket PC, can synchronize email, documents and contact
information with a bluetooth enabled PC without the need of cradles, cables or plugs. Bluetooth
enabled mobile phones can communicate with other bluetooth enabled devices thereby allowing
data transfer. Bluetooth enabled wireless headsets can be used with a mobile phone to provide
hands free usage without the hassle of cords and plugs. Like Infrared, its limitation is that it is a
short range mode of communication.

Networks > Medium: Wireless > Wi-Fi

Wireless Ethernet or Wi-Fi is the latest standard for long-range wireless networking. It goes
further and faster than Infrared or Bluetooth and does not require a clear line of sight. Wireless
local area networks (WLANs) are a lot less expensive and much easier to set up than traditional
wired networks. Because they are easy and inexpensive, wireless networks have become very
popular for home and small business networks and have found a niche in hospitals and clinics
where its important to securely connect people to shared file servers, printers, Internet
connections and other resources.

What does Wi-Fi do?

Wi-Fi is based on the IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers) 802.11 specifications.
There are currently four deployed 802.11 variations, namely: 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g) and
802.11(n). The (b) standard allows upto 11Mbps while both (a) and (g) allows upto 54 Mbps. The
new (n) specification will allow even higher speeds of upto 100 Mbps and beyond. The 802.11(a)
standard works in the 5GHz frequency band, and the others work in the 2.4GHz band.

How does Wi-Fi work?

Wi-Fi technology operates using the unlicensed radio frequencies in the 2.4GHz to 5GHz range.
2.4GHz for both the 802.11(b) and 802.11(g) and the 5GHz range for 802..11(a). The primary
difference between the Wi-Fi signals and Infrared or Bluetooth is that Wi-Fi does not require the
devices to have a direct line of sight. Wi-Fi tranmits data over radio signals that are sent/received
via little antennas that are connected to the devices.

Page 20 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

How is Wi-Fi used?

Wi-Fi technology is used to create a fast, wireless, low cost network. Notebook PCs, Laptops,
Tablet PCs, desktops, handheld devices etc can now talk to each other as well as the internet
using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi networks are springing up in airports, hotels, convention centers, hospitals and
health care centers. Even airplanes like Ethihad Airways has Wi-Fi access inside their airplanes.

Networks > Medium: Wireless > Wi-Max

The two driving forces of modern Internet are broadband and wireless. The WiMax standard
combines the two, delivering high-speed broadband Internet access over a wireless connection.
WiMax is the next generation of WiFi, or wireless networking technology that will connect you to
the Internet at faster speeds and from much longer ranges than current wireless technology
allows.

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is the IEEE 802.16 standards-based
wireless technology that provides MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) broadband connectivity.

WiMax is based on the IEEE 802.16 Air Interface Standard (AIS). WiMax delivers a point-to-
multipoint architecture, making it an ideal method for carriers to deliver broadband to locations
where wired connections would be difficult or too costly. It may also provide a useful solution for
delivering broadband to rural areas where high-speed lines have not yet become available. A
WiMax connection can also be bridged or routed to a standard wired or wireless Local Area
Network (LAN).

Page 21 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

The so-called “last mile” of broadband is the most expensive and most difficult for broadband
providers, and WiMax provides an easy solution. Although it is a wireless technology, unlike some
other wireless technologies, it doesn’t require a direct line of sight between the source and
endpoint, and it has a service range of 30 miles. It provides a shared data rate of up to 70 Mbps,
which is enough to service up to a thousand homes with high-speed access.

WiMax offers some advantages over WiFi, a similar wireless technology, in that it offers a greater
range is more bandwidth efficient. Ultimately, WiMax may be used to provide connectivity to entire
cities, and may be incorporated into laptops to give users an added measure of mobility.

WiMax requires a tower, similar to a cell phone tower, which is connected to the Internet using a
standard wired high-speed connection, such as a T3 line. But as opposed to a traditional Internet
Service Provider (ISP), which divides that bandwidth among customers via wire, it uses a
microwave link to establish a connection.

Because WiMax does not depend on cables to connect each endpoint, deploying WiMax to an
entire high rise, community or campus can be done in a matter of a couple of days, saving
significant amounts of manpower.

Networks > Geographical Spread / Distance: Local Area Network (LAN)

Networks can be divided into three types based on geographical areas covered, namely: LANs,
MANs and WANs

LAN: Local Area Network

Features:

1) LAN typically connects computers within a single building or campus.

2) LAN was developed in 1970s
3) Its restricted in size and hence the worst case transmission time is known in
advance
4) It uses a singl cable transmission technoology to which all computers are
attached
5) The medium used here is optical fibres, coaxial cables, twisted pair, wireless
6) It offers low latency (delay) except during peak trafficepe periods
7) LANs are high speed networks with data transmission speeds ranging fromf 0.2
to 100Mbps
8) The LAN speeds are adequate for most of the distibuted stystems
9) LANs use Ethernet as their protocol

Page 22 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Networks > Geographical Spread / Distance: Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Features:

1) MAN generally covers towns and cities (50 kms)

2) Developed in 1980s
3) The Medium used in MAN are optic fibres and cables
4) MAN offers data transmission rates that are adequate for distributed computing
5) Supports Data and Voice (e.g. Local Cable TV)
6) MAN has one or two cables and no switching elements
7) MAN has a broadcast medium to which all computers are attached
8) IT is a simple network design
9) MAN offers typical latencies of less than 1 msec (millisecond)
10) Message routing in a MAN is fast

Networks > Geographical Spread / Distance: Wide Area Network (WAN)

Features:

1) WAN was developed in 1960s

2) A WAN is made up of numerous cables and telephone lines each connecting to a pair of
routers
3) WAN generally covers large distances (states, countries, continents)
4) WAN uses communication circuits connected by routers as the medium of networking
5) Routers forward packets from one to another following a router from the sender to the
receiver
6) WAN offers typical latencies of 100 msec to 500 msec
7) There can be delays in communication if the WAN uses satellites
8) The typical speeds offered by WANs range from about 20 to 2000 Kbps
9) WANs are not yet suitable for distributed computing however new webstandards and
networking standards are enabling WANs to be better and more robust

Page 23 of 24
MET Part Time MBA – Answers to Questions in the Question Bank (Class Notes 2007)

-- Author: Prof. Max William DCosta (max_dcosta@rediffmail.com)

Networks > Topology

The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other
peripherals. Physical topology should not be confused with logical topology which is the method
used to pass information between workstations.

Main Types of Network Topologies

In networking, the term "topology" refers to the layout of connected devices on a network. This
article introduces the standard topologies of computer networking.

One can think of a topology as a network's virtual shape or structure. This shape does not
necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network. For
example, the computers on a home LAN may be arranged in a circle in a family room, but it
would be highly unlikely to find an actual ring topology there.

Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:

• Star Topology
• Ring Topology
• Bus Topology
• Tree Topology
• Mesh Topology
• Hybrid Topology

More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above basic topologies.

Networks > Topology: BUS Topology

Page 24 of 24