The Internet: A Comprehensive Overview

The Internet: A Global Network

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks, linking billions of devices worldwide using TCP/IP. It comprises millions of networks, including private, public, academic, business, and government, and provides extensive information resources.

The History of the Internet

The Internet, originating from ARPANet, an experimental network created in the 1960s by the US military, was launched online in 1969 under a contract by ARPA, connecting four US universities. The history of the Internet reflects the continuous growth of this network, connecting millions of people, businesses, governments, schools, and universities.

The ARPANet

The ARPAnet, created in 1969, began with four computers connecting. A hand-drawn map depicts the initial connections, which have since grown to a significant size.

What Can We Use the Internet For?

The Internet connects computers through network connections, enabling various activities such as viewing web pages, sending and receiving emails, sharing files, communicating via voice and video, playing games, streaming music, and e-commerce.

Internet Ownership

There are no single owners for the Internet. However, access is paid for through providers and their networks. Payment methods include fixed amounts for leased lines and access/used time for dial-up connections.

Leased Line

Both broadband and a leased line offer fixed internet access at a fixed subscription cost. A leased line is a dedicated connection with identical upload and download speeds, often used by businesses for branch offices, while broadband has variable bandwidth and is asymmetric.

Dial-up Internet Service

Dial-up internet service is a connection that connects a standard telephone line to a computer's modem, allowing access to the internet. This is commonly used in locations where high-speed internet access is not available but telephone service is.

Internet Broadband

Internet broadband is a high-capacity transmission technique utilizing various frequencies, enabling faster data transfer rates than standard dial-up, and includes cable, satellite, DSL, and fiber optic services.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Overview

• A commercial organization providing permanent internet connection.
• Offers temporary internet connections to subscribers.
• Provides internet access from a computer.
• Payments may vary based on the type of connectivity provided.

Positive Impact of the Internet

• Evolving Information Technology significantly impacts society.
• Living in an "information economy" with computers central to business and innovation.
• Technology's pervasiveness in daily life makes it hard to imagine life without it.

Internet's Positive Impact on Money Transactions

• Cash replaced with credit/debit cards.
• Computerized banking networks enable immediate electronic fund transfers.
• ATM machines provide 24/7 access to money.

The Internet and Information

The Internet and web information are rapidly replacing traditional sources of information, with websites being updated 24/7, and newspapers and magazines expanding their offerings to include online versions.

Internet/Web for Communication

The Internet has evolved from electronic mail and newsgroups to instant messaging, managed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), attracting users for communication.

E-commerce Overview

• Recognized as an advertising medium and tool for reaching new customers.
• Business sites can be information-based or transaction-based.
• Advantages include home-based purchases, easy product comparison, and product research through online retailers like Amazon.com.

Negative Side of the Internet

• Impunity
• Addiction
• Fraud
• Health

Internet Protocols

• Rules and regulations for network connectivity.
• Basic types: FTP, TCP/IP. A protocol is a set of agreed-upon procedures and rules that allow two computers to understand each other and exchange data when they follow the same rules.

FTP Overview

• Enables file transmission within a network.
• Used for data transfer from one computer to another over the internet or network.
• Standard way to copy files from one location to another.
• Can be used to download files from one location to another.
• Can be worked with using a simple command line interface like the DOS console in Windows and Terminal in Linux and macOS.
• Graphical user interface solutions like Filezilla are available.

TCP/IP

TCP/IP is a Transmission Control Protocol that ensures reliable data transmission among Internet/Network computers, but it is time-consuming and guaranteed to transmit the transmitted data.

Internet Buzz Words: Browser Overview

• Computer software like Microsoft Explorer for document viewing.
• Web browsers interpret HTML code, display web text and images.
• Popular browsers include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Netscape Navigator.

Internet Overview

• Client: A computer linked to the internet that can receive information from a server.
• Modem: A device that converts digital signals into analog signals for transmission over phone lines.
• Search Engine: An automated website using advanced software to locate other websites and Internet files based on user's search criteria.
• Server: A computer directly linked to the internet that holds files ready for download by a client machine.
• Http: Basic computer rules and language for linking and transferring web pages and graphics.
• URL: The global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.
• Internet Facilities: Internet allows communication and information sharing in various ways, including electronic mail and World Wide Web.
• World Wide Web: A service provided by the Internet that allows users to view information on remote computers.
• Web Designing Tools: HTML, XML, and PHP are used to create the WWW structures of the Internet.

E-mail: A Brief Overview

E-mail: An Overview

• E-mail is the technology of sending and receiving electronic messages over the internet.
• It is the most widely used and popular form of communication over the internet.

Advantages of E-mail

• Saves Money and Time
• Instant Response
• Regular Communication
• No need to speak to recipient
• Messages can be marked as urgent or convenient
• Incoming messages are saved
• Reduces volume of paper

Historical Background

• E-mail facilities were used by many companies in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.
• The internet helped email become popular in the early 1990s.

E-Mail Message Format

It consists of a header (information about the message) and a body (text field).

Process of E-Mail

• E-mail works on the client-server model.
• E-Mail Clients are the users who wish to use the email facility.
• Web based emails can be created from the Internet.
• Advantages include no need to install a client program and can access the email account online from anywhere.

Non-Web Based Emails

• Non-web based emails are accessed using an email client software.
• IMAP and POP3 are the most commonly used Internet mail protocols for retrieving emails.

Different E-mail Client Software

Examples include Microsoft Outlook, Eudora, and Mozilla Thunderbird.

Process of E-Mail

• E-Mail Server is a combination of processes running on a server with a large storage capacity, a list of users and rules, the capability to receive, send and store e-mails and attachments.

IT in Business

• IT field is constantly evolving due to technological advancements and behavioral research findings.
• Most managers and end users do not need to absorb all IT knowledge.

Amazon.com: Success with IT

• Location vs Technology: Warehouse fully computerized/workers wireless receivers.
• Computers generate data for analysis purposes.
• Increase capacity, reduce operational cost.
• Efficient operations.
• Spend on SW development, platform needs only small improvement now.
• Move to Linux (Free and Open Source Software/W) to cut costs.

Information Technology (IT)

• End users need to know about major concepts, developments, and managerial issues in IT.
• Focus on generic capabilities, major developmental trends, and management challenges in the use of IS.

IS Applications

• Major applications of IS for end user activities and operations, management and strategic advantage.
• End user computing, office automation transaction processing, functional areas of business, decision support, AI etc.

IS Development

• Understanding basic problem solving and development concepts.
• Methodologies such as systems approach, SDLC, and prototyping for constructing IS.

IS Management

Understanding the methods for managing resources, technologies, and information system activities.

Foundation Concepts

• IS is an organized combination of people, hardware, software, communication networks, and data resources that collect, transform, and distribute information in an organization.
• Types of IS include manual (paper-and-pencil based), informal (word of mouth), and computer based (CBIS).

IS and ICT

• IS collects, processes, stores, and disseminates information for a specific purpose.
• IS and ICT refer to the technological side of IS.

Role of IS in Business

• Supports business processes and operations.
• Supports decision making by employees and managers.
• Supports strategies for competitive advantage.

E-Business in Business

Use of Internet Technologies to internetwork and empower business processes.

Trends in IS

• 1950s-60s: Electronic Data processing.
• 1960s-1970s: Management Reporting.
• 1970s-1980s: Decision support systems.
• 1980s-1990s: End user support.
• 1990s-2000s: Internet based e-Business and e-Commerce systems.

IT in Business and IT in Human Resources

• IT in Accounting: Le Saunda Holdings manages accounting information across Asia, managing 32 subsidiaries in four countries. Centralized storage and processing ensure accurate information flow to headquarters. SunAccount Accounting Software is used for online ad hoc reports. Critical Response Activities include decision making, managing large volumes of information, quality improvement, and time reduction.
• IT in Production and Operations: 60 Russians live in Moscow and work in California, electronically communicating a s/w company called Pick Systems. Critical Response Activities include strategic advantage.
• IT in Tracking UPS Packages: UPS drivers use hand-held pen computers and telecommunication to increase accuracy of delivery records and improve efficiency. Critical Response Activities include customer service and quality.
• IT in Health Care: San Diego’s Mercury Hospital uses computer terminals in all patient’s rooms to improve communication among nurses, doctors, medical records, laboratories, etc. Critical Response Activities: Productivity, Quality customer service.
• IT in Human Resources: Boeing trains its employs electronically.
• IT in Public Service: The FBI maintains a crime-related database.
• IT in Marketing: Amazon.com changes the book selling industry.

Perspectives on Information Systems

• Information technology (IT) includes all the hardware and software needed to achieve business objectives.
• IT supports decision making, coordination, control, problem analysis, visualization of complex subjects, and creation of new products or services.
• Three activities in an information system produce the information needed for decision making, control operations, problem analysis, and creation of new products or services: input, processing, and output.

Information Systems and Organizations: Dimensions of Information Systems

• Information systems are shaped by the organization, management, and information technology.
• They provide solutions to business challenges and problems.
• Effective use of information systems requires understanding of the organization, management, and information technology.

Organizations: Levels in a Firm

• Information systems are integral to organizations.
• Key elements include people, structure, business processes, politics, and culture.
• Organizations have a hierarchical structure with managerial, professional, and technical employees, middle management, and operational personnel.
• Senior management makes strategic decisions, middle management executes plans, and operational management monitors daily business activities.
• Knowledge workers design products or services, data workers assist with scheduling and communication, and production or service workers produce and deliver services.

Information Technology in a Firm

• Information technology includes computer hardware, software, networking and telecommunications technology, and the Internet.
• Each organization must carefully design and manage its IT infrastructure to meet the needs of information systems.

The Digital Firm

• A digital firm enables and mediates most of the organization's significant business relationships.
• Core business processes are accomplished through digital networks.
• Digital firms respond more rapidly to their environments and offer flexibility in global organization and management.
• Work is done physically wherever in the organization.

Digital Firms and Operational Excellence

• Companies like Cisco Systems, 3M, and IBM are digital firms using the internet for business operations.
• Other companies are moving towards digital integration with suppliers, customers, and employees.
• Traditional face-to-face meetings are being replaced with virtual meetings using videoconferencing and Web conferencing technology.

Walmart's Operational Excellence

• Walmart, the world's largest retailer, exemplifies the power of information systems and supportive management.
• The company operates online and in-store for groceries, essentials, clothing, and electronic goods.
• As of July 31, 2023, Walmart has 10,524 stores and clubs in 24 countries, operating under 48 different names.
• With fiscal year 2023 revenue of $611 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide.

Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing is a model for delivering hosted services over the Internet.
• It allows on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources.
• It provides shared services, enabling access to information from most web-enabled hardware.
• It allows for cost savings through reduced facility, hardware/software investments, and support.

Key Characteristics of Cloud Computing

• On-demand self-service: Consumers can provision computing capabilities automatically without human interaction.
• Broad network access: Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms.
• Resource pooling: Provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers.
• Rapid elasticity: Capabilities can be expanded or released automatically.
• Measured service: Customers are charged for the services they use and the amounts.

Service Models

• Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): Outsourcing the basic infrastructure used to support operations.
• Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): Outsourcing the basic infrastructure and platform.
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): Outsourcing the infrastructure, platform, and software/applications.

Data Location

• Data resides on servers that the customer cannot physically access.• Vendors may store data anywhere at the lowest cost if not restrained by agreement.