Information Systems Network Seminar / Tutorial Activities Chapter 1: Introduction to Data Communications End-of-Chapter Questions 1. How can data communication networks affect businesses? 2. Discuss three important applications of data communication networks in business and personal use. 3. Define information lag and discuss its importance. 4. Describe the progression of communications systems from the 1800s to the present. 5. Describe the progression of information systems from the 1950s to the present. 6. How do LANs differ from MANs, WANs, and BNs? 7. What is a circuit? 8. What is a client? 9. What is a host or server? 10. Why are network layers important? 11. Describe the four layers in the network model used in this book and what they do. 12. Explain how a message is transmitted from one computer to another using layers. 13. Describe the three stages of standardization. 14. How are Internet standards developed? 15. Describe two important data communications standards-making bodies. How do they differ? 16. What is the purpose of a data communication standard? 17. What are three of the largest inter-exchange carriers (IXCs) in North America? 18. Name two RBOCs. Which ones provide services in your area? 19. Discuss three trends in communications and networking. 1
TRUE/FALSE The following are possible True/False questions for tests. The statement is given and the answer is provided in square brackets. The level of difficulty (easy, moderate, difficult) is also furnished. 1. In an information society, the strategic resource is capital. 2. The information lag is the time it takes for information to be disseminated around the world. 3. The World Wide Web was initially developed in a United States research lab. 4. In the 1870 s, Alexander Graham Bell developed the first telephone that could transmit understandable conversation. 5. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eventually took over the authority to regulate interstate telephone business in the United States. 6. Until 1968, only telephone or computer equipment made by Bell Telephone could be connected to the Bell Telephone/AT&T telephone system in the United States. 7. The Internet began in 1969 as a network of American military and academic computers. 8. The most important aspect of computers is networking as we enter the new century. 9. The strict definition of data communications is the movement of voice, video, and data information from one point to another by means of electrical or optical transmission systems. 10. Although there are several ways to categorize networks, a common way is to look at the geographic scope of the network. 11. A backbone network (BN) connects LANs and other BNs located in different areas to each other and to wide area networks in a span from 3 to 30 miles. 12. Most organizations build their own Wide Area Networks (WANs) by laying cable, building microwave towers, or sending up satellites. 13. One of the most important models for describing network layers is the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model. 14. The data link layer of this book s simplified four-layer network model is the physical connection between the sender and receiver. 15. Data communication standards enable each layer in the sending computer to communicate with its corresponding layer in the receiving computer. 2
16. Network standards permit customers to purchase hardware and software from different vendors, as long as the equipment meets the standards. 17. In the formal standardization process, the specification stage consists of defining the solution and getting recognized industry leaders to agree on a single, uniform solution. 18. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is based in Geneva, Switzerland. 19. Pervasive networking, a key trend for the future, means that virtually any computer will be able to communicate with any other computer in the world. 20. The high bandwidth requirements (high communications needs) for video has slowed its integration into all types of networks. MULTIPLE CHOICE The following are possible multiple choice questions for tests. The question is posed and the answer is provided under the choices. The level of difficulty (easy, moderate, difficult) is also furnished. 1. An information society is dominated by: a. capital and natural resources b. computers, communications, highly skilled individuals c. unions and transportation d. farmers and agriculture e. labor and management 2. The value of a current high speed data communication network is that it: a. can handle or process all the quantities of information it receives b. brings the message sender and receiver closer together in time c. increases the information lag d. can be used primarily for batch processing e. can tie dumb terminals to a central mainframe 3. The definition of an RBOC, as established in 1984, was: a. a long distance carrier such as MCI or Sprint b. a governmental agency that monitored competition in the telephone industry c. one of the seven operating companies which initially could only offer local telephone service and which were formed by the consent decree of 1984 d. a company whose primary purpose was to provide Internet service e. an inter-exchange carrier 3
4. In February of 1996, the U.S. Congress: a. provided legislation pertaining to the Caterfone decision b. handed down the consent decree for AT&T c. enacted the Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act d. provided legislation that permitted MCI to provide limited long distance service in the U.S. e. divided AT&T into two parts: one part for long distance service, and a second part, comprised of seven operating companies, for local telephone service 5. Which of the following statements about the U.S. telephone marketplace is not true, as of the Telecommunications Act of 1996? a. The local telephone industry in the U.S. became a highly regulated monopoly. b. The competition in the long distance telephone market has increased. c. Local telephone service is open for competition. d. RBOCs are now permitted to provide long distance service outside the regions in which they provide local telephone services. e. U.S. companies can provide local telephone service in Canada. 6. Modern (1990s and beyond) data communication networks are characterized by: a. online terminals for batch processing b. isolated (stand-alone) microcomputers c. batch I/O devices d. distributed databases e. decks of punch cards 7. Which of the following is not a possible basic hardware component for a data communication network? a. a server b. an email message c. a client computer or terminal d. a circuit e. a host computer 8. A server computer: a. is the input/output device at one end of a communication circuit b. is the pathway through which messages travel c. is a special device that connects two or more networks d. is always a mainframe computer e. is a computer that stores data or software that can be accessed by client computers 9. A print server: a. stores documents and graphics that can be accessed from a web browser b. stores data and software that can be used by computers on the network c. manages all printing requests from the clients on the network d. is a copper wire or fiber optic pathway e. converts digital data into analog signals which can be transmitted across telephone lines 4
10. A local area network is: a. A group of microcomputers or terminals located in the same general area and connected by a common cable (communication circuit) so they can exchange information. b. A large central network that connects almost everything on a single company site. c. A network spanning a geographical area that usually encompasses a city or county area. d. A network spanning a large geographical area. e. A network comprised of a mainframe and dumb terminals. 11. A backbone network is: a. A group of microcomputers or terminals located in the same general area and connected by a common cable (communication circuit so they can exchange information. b. A network comprised of a mainframe and dumb terminals. c. A large central network that connects almost everything on a single company site. d. A network spanning a geographical area that usually encompasses a city or county area. e. A network spanning a large geographical area using only common carriers. 12. A metropolitan area network is: a. A network comprised of a mainframe and dumb terminals. b. A group of microcomputers or terminals located in the same general area and connected by a common cable (communication circuit) so they can exchange information. c. A large central network that connects almost everything on a single company site. d. A network spanning a geographical area that usually encompasses a city or county area. e. A network spanning a large geographical area using only common carriers. 13. A wide area network is: a. A group of microcomputers or terminals located in the same general area and connected by a common cable (communication circuit) so they can exchange information. b. A large central network that connects almost everything on a single company site. c. A network spanning a geographical area that usually encompasses a city or county area. d. A network spanning a large geographical area, over 30 miles. e. A network comprised of a mainframe and dumb terminals. 14. The network model used in the textbook to describe and analyze data communication networks has layers. a. 2 b. 4 c. 7 d. 10 e. 12 5
15. The software used by the network user is located in the: a. resident layer b. application layer c. network layer d. data communication layer e. physical layer 16. Which of the following is not a function of the network layer? a. defining what messages are sent over the network b. translating the destination of the message into an address understood by the network c. deciding which route the message should take d. breaking long messages into several smaller messages e. none of the above are appropriate answers 17. Which of the following is not a function of the data link layer? a. deciding when to transmit messages over the media b. specifying the type of connection, and the electrical signals, radio waves, or light pulses that pass through it c. formatting the message by indicating where messages start and end, and which part is the address d. detecting and correcting any errors that have occurred in the transmission of the message e. controlling the physical layer by determining when to transmit 18. Which of the following is a type of network application software? a. Web browser b. router c. gateway d. hub e. fiber optic cable 19. Which of the following is a type of signal that is sent through a circuit in the physical layer? a. geo-thermal b. light c. smoke d. seismic e. body language 20. The primary reason for networking standards is to: a. ensure that hardware and software produced by different vendors can work together b. make it more difficult to develop hardware and software that link different networks c. ensure that all network components of a particular network can be provided by only one vendor d. lock customers into buying network components from one vendor e. simplify cost accounting for networks 6
21. Which of the following is not true about formal standards? a. They can take several years to develop. b. They can be developed by an official industry body. c. One example exists for network layer software (TCP/IP). d. They are always developed before de facto standards. e. They can be developed by a government body. 22. Which of the following is not true about de facto standards? a. They tend not to be developed by an official industry or government body b. They never evolve into formal standards c. They are those that standards that emerge in the marketplace d. They are generally supported by more than one vendor e. They tend to emerge based upon the needs/response of the marketplace 23. Which of the following is a stage of the formal standardization process? a. implementation b. identification of choices c. post-implementation review d. analysis e. testing 24. Which of the following is not true about ISO: a. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland b. It is an acronym for title of the organization, International Organization for Standardization, per the original language (French) used for the organization s title c. It is one of the most important standards-making bodies d. It was formerly called the Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone e. It makes technical recommendations about data communications interfaces 25. Which of the following is not true about ITU-T: a. It is the technical standards-setting organization of the United Nations International Telecommunications Union b. It was formerly called the CCITT c. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland d. Its membership is limited to U.S. telephone companies e. Its membership is comprised of over 150 representatives 26. Which of the following is not a member of ITU-T? a. PTTs b. private telecommunications agencies c. the U.S. Supreme Court d. RBOCs e. scientific organizations 7
27. The American National Standards Institute: a. is a professional society in the U.S. whose standards committees focus on local area network standards b. sets the standards that govern how much of the Internet will operate c. is an agency that develops federal information processing standards for the federal government d. is the coordinating organization for the United States national system of standards e. makes technical recommendations about global telephone rates 28. Which of the following is not an important future trend in communication and networking? a. pervasive networking b. integration of voice, video, and data c. all computers will be networked to other computers d. using the same network for data, voice, and video e. developing online batch systems 29. Pervasive networking means that: a. the cost of computers will be higher in the future b. virtually all computers will be networked in some way to other computers c. the four-layer network model will be used to design all networks d. common carriers must sell their services to all individuals e. cable companies will offer more than 150 network selections for viewers 30. Which of the following is not a potential advantage for a telecommuter? a. higher quality of life b. more time driving to work c. lower expenses for commuting d. less stress e. lower expenses for clothing 31. EDI is: a. Electronic Data Interchange, the paperless transmission between companies of orders, invoices, and other business documents b. Electric Data Image, the wiring of buildings for electricity, data communications, voice communications, image processing c. Electronic Document Interfacing, the automatic storage and forwarding of documents via facsimile machines d. Email Distribution Interchange, a new standard for email e. none of these 32. As we enter the next century, we are moving from the era to the information era in which is the single most valuable resource of an enterprise. a. capital/labor, management b. manufacturing/management, information c. transportation/distribution, capital d. batch processing, transaction processing e. agricultural, management 8
33. The study of data communications provides an: a. understanding of hardware, software, and transmission facility alternatives b. ability to make informed decisions among the alternatives and to integrate these decisions into a cohesive network design c. understanding of how to remain informed about changing technology d. understanding of the changing regulatory environment affecting the domestic and foreign telephone marketplace e. all of these 34. Which of the following is not an objective of data communications networks? a. to reduce the time, effort, and cost required to perform various business tasks b. to capture business data at its source and rapidly distribute it c. to support improved management control, such as inventory control, of the organization d. to provide the COBOL programming fix for the Year 2000 problem e. to support the office of the future that can interconnects microcomputers, mainframe computers, FAX machines, teleconferencing equipment, and other equipment 35. Which of the following business organizations would not benefit from the use of data communications? a. organizations using large numbers of microcomputers b. organizations having a high volume of mail and messenger service or numerous telephone calls between their various sites c. organizations with repetitive paperwork operations, such as re-creating or copying information d. organizations, such as Wal-Mart, with strong value chain ties to suppliers and customers e. all of these 36. Today, people with three or four years of experience in data communications make annual salaries of: a. $20,000 to $30,000 b. $25,000 to $45,000 c. $55,000 to $75,000 d. $60,000 to $100,000 e. $70,000 to $120,000 37. Which of the following has not contributed directly to the growing demand for networking expertise? a. the invention of the mouse as an input device for the computer b. the growth of use of the Internet and the World Wide Web c. the deregulation of the telephone industry d. the wide variety of hardware innovations that have changed the nature of networking e. the wide variety of software innovations that have changed the nature of networking 9
38. Which of the following magazines would not be useful in the study of data communications? a. Communications Week b. LAN Times c. Network Computing d. Datamation e. all of the above would be useful 39. Which of the following is one of the largest inter-exchange carriers (IXCs) in North America? a. ITU-T b. Sprint c. ISO d. CCITT e. PTT 40. The lack of a sophisticated wide area network was one of the key factors in the bankruptcy of: a. Microsoft b. Macy s c. Wal-Mart d. IBM e. General Motors 41. An interexchange, or common, carrier provides: a. communication circuits to individual subscribers and businesses for a fee b. satellite communication services for city, state, federal, and local government only c. communications circuits to the FCC only d. Internet service via wireless local area networks only e. cellular telephone service to ISO only Short Answer Questions 1. Compare and contrast LANs, BNs, and WANs. 2. Explain what each layer does in transmitting messages from one computer to another. 3. Why are standards important? 4. How does the use of layers and standards simplify the development and management of networks? 5. Thought question: How will pervasive networking affect the way in which you will learn about new technologies after you graduate? 10
Next Day Air Service Case Study 1. Briefly describe the current state of Next Day Air Service's office automation, system integration, and networking. Begin by explaining how each department uses information technology, what hardware it uses, and what functions currently are automated. Also assess which department is most in need of a network. 2. With the types of networks and future technologies discussed in this chapter, what kind of network would appear to be the most beneficial to Next Day Air Service? Justify your answer. 3. What are the current characteristics or practices that identify NDAS as a possible candidate for its proposed integrated data communication network? 4. Which two of the four networks (e.g., LAN) might be appropriate for NDAS? 5. When looking over the organization chart, you notice that the acting manager of the Information Services/Data Processing department is also named Coone (Les Coone). Inquiring, you learn that Les is President Coone's nephew. Les has just joined NDAS. This is his first job, and he has no background in information systems, data processing, or data communications. Will this be a problem for you? If so, why? How will you handle it? Reference: FitzGerald, J. (1999) Business Data Communications, John Wiley & Sons, 6 th Edition 11