Introduction to ICT
LECTURE NO 14
[Link] FAREED
Networking Applications
Computer network applications
are network software applications that
utilize the Internet or other network
hardware infrastructure to perform
useful functions for example file
transfers within a network.
They help us to transfer data from one
point to another within the network.
There are 2 types of network
applications:-
Pure network applications
Standalone network application
Pure Network Applications
These are applications created to be
used in networks; using pure network
applications on a single computer
doesn't make sense. They help us to
transfer data and communicate within a
network. Such applications have a
separate and distinct user interface that
users must learn for instance:-
1. Email Programs
They allow users to type messages at
their local nodes and then send to
someone on the network. It is a fast and
easy way of transferring mail from one
computer to another.
[Link] Transfer Protocol (FTP)
This application facilities transfer of files from one
computer to another e.g. from a client to a server.
There are 2 common processes involved in FTP
Downloading: - This is the process of obtaining files
from a server to a workstation or a client (for
example when you download programs and music
from a server).
Uploading:- This is obtaining of files from a
workstation to a server (for instance when you attach
documents and upload them to a server, a good
example being when you upload photos to
Facebook).
3. Terminal Emulation (TELNET)
It allows a workstation to access the server
for an application program. This enables
you to control the server and communicate
with other servers on the network. The
workstation appears as a down terminal
that is directly attached to the server. The
user feels like he/she is using the server
directly. TELNET enables PCs and
workstations to function as dumb terminals
in sessions with hosts on inter-networks.
4. Groupware
These applications are used to
automate the administrative functions of
a modern office for instance video
conferencing and chatting. They
facilitate the work of groups and improve
on their productivity; they can be used to
communicate, co-operate, coordinate,
solve problems, compete, negotiate
among others.
B) Stand Alone Applications
These are applications that run on stand-
alone computers (computers not
connected to any other). In order to
extend their activity, they are rebuilt to run
on network environments e.g. word
processors, spreadsheets, database
management systems, presentations
graphics, project management etc. They
function even when the computer is
offline.
The Internet
The internet is the wider network that
allows computer networks around the
world run by companies, governments,
universities and other organisations to
talk to one another. The result is a mass
of cables, computers, data centres,
routers, servers, repeaters, satellites
and wifi towers that allows digital
information to travel around the world.
Telephone Service
A way of communication from one place
to another place through communication
medium or may be wireless mobile
communication.
Radio and Television
Transmission of radio and television programs from a
radio or television station to home receivers by
radio waves is referred to as "over the air" (OTA) or
terrestrial broadcasting and in most countries requires
a broadcasting license. Transmissions using a wire or
cable, like cable television (which also retransmits OTA
stations with their consent), are also considered
broadcasts but do not necessarily require a license
(though in some countries, a license is required). In the
2000s, transmissions of television and radio programs
via streaming digital technology have increasingly
been referred to as broadcasting as well.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Applications
GPS, or the Global Positioning System, is
a global navigation satellite system that
provides location, velocity and time
synchronization.
GPS is everywhere. You can find GPS
systems in your car, your smartphone and
your watch. GPS helps you get where you
are going, from point A to point B.
Monitoring Systems
Monitoring systems are responsible for
controlling the technology used by a
company (hardware, networks and
communications, operating systems or
applications, among others) in order to
analyse their operation and
performance, and to detect and alert
about possible errors.
Multimedia Networking
Multimedia is the combined use of several
media, such as movies, slides, music, and
lighting, especially for the purpose of
education or entertainment. Networked
multimedia is to build the multimedia on
network and distributed systems, so
different users on different machines can
share image, sound, video, voice and
many other features and to communicate
with each under these tools.
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing (or video
conference) means to conduct a
conference between two or more
participants at different sites by using
computer networks to transmit audio
and video data. For example, a point-to-
point (two-person) video
conferencing system works much like a
video telephone.
Collaborative Computing
Collaborative computing is a diverse
collection of information technologies
designed to support work between
individuals. Organizations
implementing collaborative computing
technologies do so as a way to improve
workforce productivity and creativity by
enabling individual workers to more
readily access each other and the
information they need when they need it.
Telecommuting,
Telecommuting is an employment
arrangement in which the employee
works outside of the employer's office.
Often this means working from home or
at a location close to home, such as a
coffee shop, library, or co-working
space.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine refers to the practice of
caring for patients remotely when the
provider and patient are not physically
present with each other. Modern
technology has enabled doctors to
consult patients by using (Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 )HIPAA compliant video-
conferencing tools. Most robust and easy
to use telemedicine software.
Networking Hardware, Network
Adapters and Modems, Switches,
Routers, and Other Hardware for
Connecting Devices and Networks
Network devices, or networking hardware,
are physical devices that are required for
communication and interaction between
hardware on a computer network.
Hub
Hubs connect multiple computer
networking devices together. A hub also
acts as a repeater in that it amplifies
signals that deteriorate after traveling long
distances over connecting cables. A hub is
the simplest in the family of network
connecting devices because it connects
LAN components with identical protocols.
Switches
Switches generally have a more intelligent
role than hubs. A switch is a multiport device
that improves network efficiency. The switch
maintains limited routing information about
nodes in the internal network, and it allows
connections to systems like hubs or routers.
Strands of LANs are usually connected using
switches. Generally, switches can read the
hardware addresses of incoming packets to
transmit them to the appropriate destination.
Routers
Routers help transmit packets to their destinations by
charting a path through the sea of interconnected
networking devices using different network topologies.
Routers are intelligent devices, and they store information
about the networks they’re connected to. Most routers can
be configured to operate as packet-filtering firewalls and
use access control lists (ACLs). Routers, in conjunction with
a channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU), are
also used to translate from LAN framing to WAN framing.
This is needed because LANs and WANs use different
network protocols. Such routers are known as border
routers. They serve as the outside connection of a LAN to a
WAN, and they operate at the border of your network.
Bridges
Bridges are used to connect two or more hosts or
network segments together. The basic role of
bridges in network architecture is storing and
forwarding frames between the different segments
that the bridge connects. They use hardware Media
Access Control (MAC) addresses for transferring
frames. By looking at the MAC address of the
devices connected to each segment, bridges can
forward the data or block it from crossing. Bridges
can also be used to connect two physical LANs into
a larger logical LAN.
Gateways
Gateways provide translation between
networking technologies such as Open
System Interconnection (OSI) and
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP). Because of this,
gateways connect two or more
autonomous networks, each with its own
routing algorithms, protocols, topology,
domain name service, and network
administration procedures and policies.
Modem
Modems (modulators-demodulators) are used to transmit
digital signals over analog telephone lines. Thus, digital
signals are converted by the modem into analog signals of
different frequencies and transmitted to a modem at the
receiving location. The receiving modem performs the
reverse transformation and provides a digital output to a
device connected to a modem, usually a computer. The
digital data is usually transferred to or from the modem over
a serial line through an industry standard interface, RS-232.
Many telephone companies offer DSL services, and many
cable operators use modems as end terminals for
identification and recognition of home and personal users.
Modems work on both the Physical and Data Link layers.
Repeater
A repeater is an electronic device that
amplifies the signal it receives. You can
think of repeater as a device which
receives a signal and retransmits it at a
higher level or higher power so that the
signal can cover longer distances, more
than 100 meters for standard LAN cables.
Repeaters work on the Physical layer.
Access Point
While an access point (AP) can
technically involve either a wired or
wireless connection, it commonly means
a wireless device. An AP works at the
second OSI layer, the Data Link layer,
and it can operate either as a bridge
connecting a standard wired network to
wireless devices or as a router passing
data transmissions from one access point
to another.
Thank you