MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 7/E

Raymond McLeod, Jr.

Chapter 11
Data Communications

Copyright 1998 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

 The Basic Communication
Model
n Sender
n Coder
n Channel
n Decoder
n Receiver
Send
Sender Coder
Coder Channel Decoder Receiver

The Basic Communication Model

 Computer-based Data
Communications

Data communications definition:

The movement of coded data and information
from one point to another by means of
electrical or electromagnetic devices, fiber-
optical cables, or microwave signals. Also
called teleprocessing, telecommunications,
telecom, and datacom.
 The Basic
Data Communications Schematic

Terminal Modem Channel Modem Computer

 Basic Data
Communications
Terminal
to Modem
Schematic
to Channel
to Modem
to Computer
A modem is always required between a
telephone and a digital computer.
Types of Networks (interconnected
datacom devices)
n WAN (wide area network)
– Covers a large geographic area
– Includes a wide variety of circuits
– Usually includes host computers
n LAN (local area network)
– Limited area but could include 100 or so micros
– Facilitates office automation
n MAN (metropolitan area networks)
– spans one city/metropolitan area
 An Expanded Data
Communications Network
Visual display terminals Multiplexer
Cluster
control Modem
unit
Hard copy terminals

Other
types of
terminals Channel

Multiplexer
Front-end Host
Modem
processor computer
 Terminal Types
n Keyboard
CRT - Cathode Ray Tube
VDT - Video Display Terminal

Hardcopy terminal
Teleprinter terminal
 Terminal Types (continued)
n Keyboard terminals
n Push-button telephone
n Point-of-Sale (POS)
n Data collection
n Special purpose
 Other Data
Communications Hardware
n Cluster control unit -- controls multiple
terminals in an area
n Modem -- rated speed of bits per second
determines transmission speed. Like a pipe
determines water flow.
n Multiplexer -- allows multiple terminals to
share a single channel.
 Channel
n WAN channel components
n Local loop
– Typical circuitry
» Twisted pair (4 wires)
» Coax (buried)
n IXC circuit (interexchange)
– Typical circuitry
» Microwave
» Fiber-optical cable
 The Channel of a
Wide Area Network Satellite

User’s
modem
IXC circuit
Local Earth (interexchange
loop station channel)

Earth
station
Telephone Microwave
company tower IXC circuit
(interexchange
central office channel)
Microwave
tower Local
loop

Telephone
User’s
company Telephone modem
central office company
central office
Telephone
company
central office
 Front-end Processor
n Ports
n Serial versus parallel transmission
n Message switching, store and forward

Host
 The Front-end Processor

Software
Channel Host Computer Parallel transmission
Interface Units Interface

Serial To host
transmission
Secondary
storage
 Data Communications Software

n Host (telecommunications monitor or TCM)

n Front-end processor (network control

program)
Telecommunications Monitor (TCM)
Host
3 Prioritize
4 message
1
2 Security
Maintain log
security log

Interface
DBMS with DBMS
Primary
Backup and storage
restart status
 Network Control Program (NCP)
n Poll terminals such as roll call polling
n Maintain a record of activity; date and time
stamps
n Convert codes
n Editing such as error checking and
reformatting
n Add and delete routing codes
n Maintain a history file of messages
n Maintain statistics on network use
 Data Communications Links the
General Systems Model Elements
Standards T = terminal

Management Information Environment

T processor T T

Input Transformation Output

T T T
 Basic Network Approaches
n Timesharing
n Distributed processing
n Client/server computing
– Clients are users, typically using workstations
networked to form LANs
– Server is a mainframe, mini, or even a micro
 Basic Network Approaches
(continued)
n Complex software permits resource sharing

n Combines central computing (MIS, DP)

with end-user computing
 A Timesharing Network

Legend:

Computer Terminal
 A Distributed Processing Network

Legend:

Central Distributed
Computer Computer
 Common Carriers
n Services
– Public-measured
– Private (a.k.a. leased or dedicated line)

n Integrated services digital network (ISDN)

ISDN- Integrated Services Digital
Network
n Simultaneous multimedia transmissions
n Two types of channels Data
– B channel carries data
Signals
– D channel carries signals
 Two Standard Structures
n Basic access (typically residential)
– 2 B channels @ 64 kbps ea.
– 1 D channel @ 16 kbps
n Primary access (typically business)
– 23 B channels @ 64 kbps ea.
– 1 D channel @ 64 kbps
 Local Area Networks

n File server, network server

n Peripherals
n Circuitry
– Owned by using firm
– Twisted pair is least expensive
– Coax handles videoconferencing
– Fiber-optics is most secure
 LAN Software
n Novell (NetWare) and Microsoft (Windows
NT) are leading vendors of LAN software

n Software allows servers and peer-to-peer

connections
 Workstation
1

Manager 1
Letter Quality
Printer
Workstation
2

Secretary 1 Network
Users Server

Workstation
3
Plotter

Secretary 2
Hard
Disk
Workstation
4

Manager 2

A Local Area Network

 LAN Control Methodologies
n Contention-based (Ethernet)
– First-come, first-served
– Collisions occur when load is heavy
n Token-passing (IBMs Token Ring Network)
– Token -- set of data bits required to send a
message
 Highlights in MIS
n Mobile computing
n Wireless networks
– cellular
– wireless Lans
– wide-area wireless
– paging networks
 A Network with Mobility Capability

MU MU MU
MU MU MU

Fixed host
MSS MSS
Fixed
Fixed host Fixed host
network

MSS MSS
Fixed host

MU MU MU MU MU MU
MSS = mobile support station
MU = mobile units
 Network Management
n 1. Network planning
» Capacity planning
» Staff planning
» Performance monitoring
2. Network control
3. Network manager
» Staff
n Network analysts (a type of systems analyst)
n Software analysts (specialize in datacom software)
n Datacom technicians (specialize in hardware)
n LAN managers
 The Intranet
n Intranet applications
– policy and procedure manuals
– Product and pricing information
– Employee information
– Job openings
– Documents needing signatures
– Schedules and calendars
– Access to databases
– Access to groupware
 The Intranet (continued)
n Steps to a successful Intranet
1. Determine information needs
2. Establish Intranet policy
3. Build an Intranet staff
4. Provide for end user document preparation
5. Determine whether to outsource the Intranet service
6. Select the Intranet outsourcer
7. Provide datacom services
8. Build in Intranet security
9. Monitor system performance
 Intranet Implementation Steps

1. Determine Yes 5. Outsource? No

information needs

2. Establish 6. Select the Intra- 7. Provide datacom

Intranet policy net outsourcer resources

3. Build an 8. Build in Intra-

Intranet staff net security

4. Provide for end user 9. Monitor system

document preparation performance