Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology

Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the features of telecommunications networks and identify key networking technologies. Evaluate alternative transmission media, types of networks, and network services. Demonstrate how the Internet and Internet technology work and how they support communication and e- business.

Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology LEARNING OBJECTIVES (cont’d) Identify and describe the principal technologies and standards for wireless networking, communication, and Internet access. Assess the business value of wireless technology and important wireless applications in business.

Problem: Overcoming poor location and steep competition. Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Hyatt Regency Osaka Uses Wireless Networking for High-Touch Service Problem: Overcoming poor location and steep competition. Solutions: Deploy IP network, wireless LAN, and wireless clients with links to customer database to increase service and revenue. Wireless mobile access to customer systems and wireless data and voice services enable employees to work more efficiently and focus on customers. Demonstrates IT’s role in providing superior customer service and redesigning processes and job functions. Illustrates digital technology’s ability to overcome business weaknesses by creating new strengths.

Networking and communication trends Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Networking and communication trends Convergence of telephone and computer networks into single digital network using Internet standards Telecommunications providers offering multiple services: Data, cable, Internet, voice Both voice and data networks have become more powerful, more portable, and less expensive Broadband connections of 1Mbps Growth of wireless broadband platforms, wireless Internet access

Most basic computer network: Two or more interconnected computers Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Most basic computer network: Two or more interconnected computers Major hardware, software, transmission components used in simple network: Client computer Dedicated server computer Network interfaces (NICs) Network operating system (NOS) Hub or switch Routers: Device used to communicate with other networks

Components of a Simple Computer Network Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Components of a Simple Computer Network Illustrated here is a very simple computer network, consisting of computers, a network operating system residing on a dedicated server computer, cable (wiring) connecting the devices, network interface cards (NIC), switches, and a router. Figure 7-1

Networks in large companies may include Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Networks in large companies may include Hundreds of local area networks (LANs) linked to firmwide corporate networks Multiple powerful servers Corporate Web site, corporate intranet, extranet Back-end systems for sales, financial, purchasing transactions Telephone network, videoconferencing Mobile WiFi network Key issue: Integration of disparate systems Alleviated as networks digitize, use Internet standards

Corporate Network Infrastructure Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Corporate Network Infrastructure Today’s corporate network infrastructure is a collection of many different networks from the public switched telephone network; to the Internet; to corporate local area networks linking workgroups, departments, or office floors. Figure 7-2

Key digital networking technologies Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Key digital networking technologies Client/server computing Clients linked through network controlled by server computer Packet switching Method of slicing digital messages into packets, sending packets along different communication paths as they become available, and then reassembling packets once they arrive at their destinations TCP/IP and connectivity standards Protocol: Set of rules and procedures governing transmission of information between two points in network TCP/IP: Suite of protocols

Packet-Switched Networks and Packet Communications Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World Packet-Switched Networks and Packet Communications Data are grouped into small packets, which are transmitted independently over various communications channels and reassembled at their final destination. Figure 7-3

Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World TCP/IP: Suite of protocols developed for U.S. Dept. of Defense Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): Handles movement of data between computers Internet Protocol (IP): Handles assembly, delivery, disassembly of packets TCP/IP allows two computers of different hardware and software platforms to communicate Four-layer TCP/IP reference model Application layer Transport layer Internet layer Network interface layer

The TCP/IP Reference Model Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World The TCP/IP Reference Model This figure illustrates the four layers of the TCP/IP reference model for communications. Figure 7-4

Signals: digital vs. analog Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Signals: digital vs. analog Analog: Represented by continuous waveform Digital: Discrete, binary waveform Data as strings of two states: one bit, zero bits / on-off electrical pulses Modem needed to translate between analog and digital Types of networks (geographic scope) Local area network (LAN) Campus area network (CAN) Metropolitan area network (MAN) Wide area network (WAN)

Functions of the Modem Management Information Systems Figure 7-5 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Functions of the Modem A modem is a device that translates digital signals from a computer into analog form so that they can be transmitted over analog telephone lines. The modem also translates analog signals back into digital form for the receiving computer. Figure 7-5

Ethernet: Dominant LAN standard at physical network level Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Ethernet: Dominant LAN standard at physical network level Types of networks (network architecture) Peer-to-peer or client/server Types of networks (topology) Star: All network components connect to single hub Bus: Signals travel in both directions along single transmission segment Most common Ethernet topology Ring: Connects network components in closed loop

Network Topologies Management Information Systems Figure 7-6 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Network Topologies The three basic network topologies are the bus, star, and ring. Figure 7-6

Physical transmission media Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Physical transmission media Twisted wire Pairs of twisted copper wire Older type of transmission medium Most common LAN cabling: Cat5 cable Coaxial cable Single, thickly insulated copper wire Used for longer runs

Physical transmission media Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Physical transmission media Fiber optics and optical networks Strands of clear glass fiber Used for Internet backbone Optical networks can boost capacity by using multiplexing (DWDM) - using different wave lengths to carry separate streams of data over same strand

Wireless transmission media Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Wireless transmission media Microwave systems High-frequency radio signals that follow straight line and require transmission stations or satellites to act as relay Cellular telephones Radio towers placed in adjacent geographic areas (cells)

BP Amoco’s Satellite Transmission System Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks BP Amoco’s Satellite Transmission System Satellites help BP Amoco transfer seismic data between oil exploration ships and research centers in the United States. Figure 7-7

Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Transmission speed Bits per second (bps): Used to measure total amount of data that can be transmitted Hertz (cycles per second): Frequency of medium, affects transmission capacity Bandwidth: Difference between highest and lowest frequencies that can be accommodated on channel

Broadband network services and technologies Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Broadband network services and technologies Frame relay (56 Kbps to 40+ Mbps) Packages data into frames for high-speed transmission over reliable circuits that require less error checking than packet switching Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) (1.5 Mbps to 9+Gbps) Parcels data into 53-byte cells for high-speed transmission Can transmit data, video, and audio over same network Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) (128 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps) Dial-up network access standard that can integrate voice, data, and video services

Broadband network services and technologies Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology Communications Networks Broadband network services and technologies Digital subscriber line (DSL) (1 Mbps – 9 Mbps) Dedicated telephone network broadband Internet access Cable Internet connections (Up to 10 Mbps) Dedicated cable network broadband access T lines (1.5 Mbps to 45 Mbps) Dedicated lines for high-speed data transmission and Internet connection

Internet service provider: Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet What is the Internet? World’s most extensive public communication system, rivaling global telephone system World’s largest implementation of: Client/server network Internetworking Internet service provider: Commercial organization with permanent connection to Internet Sells temporary connections to retail subscribers

Internet addressing IP address Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Internet addressing IP address Assigned to each computer on Internet 32-bit number: four strings of numbers ranging from 0 to 255 separated by periods E.g. 207.46.250.119 Messages decomposed into packets, each carrying destination IP address

Domain Name System Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Domain Name System Converts IP addresses to domain names DNS servers maintain database of domain names mapped to IP addresses Domains: E.g. sales.google.com Root domain (“.”) Top-level domain (.gov, .com, .edu, etc.) Second-level domain (e.g. “google”) Third-level domains/hosts (“computer1.sales.google.com”)

The Domain Name System Management Information Systems Figure 7-8 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet The Domain Name System The Domain Name System is a hierarchical system with a root domain, top-level domains, second-level domains, and host computers at the third level. Figure 7-8

Internet architecture Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Internet architecture Trunk lines: High-speed backbone networks owned by long-distance telephone companies (network service providers) or national governments Regional networks lease access to ISPs, private companies, government institutions Regional telephone, cable companies lease access to retail users and businesses

Internet Network Architecture Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Internet Network Architecture The Internet backbone connects to regional networks, which in turn provide access to Internet service providers, large firms, and government institutions. Network access points (NAPs) and metropolitan area exchanges (MAEs) are hubs where the backbone intersects regional and local networks and where backbone owners connect with one another. MAEs are also referred to as Internet Exchange Points. Figure 7-9

Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Internet governance Internet policies established by several professional organizations and government bodies IAB: Defines overall structure of Internet ICANN: Assigns IP addresses W3C: Sets programming standards, HTML standards for Web These organizations influence government agencies, network owners, ISPs, and software developers Internet must conform to local national law and technical infrastructure Internet paid for by connection services and fees

Internet2 and Next-Generation Internet (NGI) Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet IPv6 IPv4 (32 bit addresses) provides 4.5 billion addresses Less than one address for each of Earth’s 6.5 billion IPv6 (128 bit addresses) will provide 3.4 X 1038 addresses Millions of addresses for each person Internet2 and Next-Generation Internet (NGI) Consortia of universities, businesses, government agencies addressing current shortcomings of Internet Better performance, more bandwidth More effective routing Advanced applications for distributed computing, etc.

Internet services Client/server technology Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Internet services Client/server technology Client: Software (e.g. Web browsers) on personal computers or information appliances Servers: Store data (e-mails, Web pages) Transfer data to clients Run services, implemented by one or more software programs, that clients can access E.g. Telnet, FTP, World Wide Web, newsgroups, chat

Client/Server Computing on the Internet Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Client/Server Computing on the Internet Client computers running Web browser and other software can access an array of services on servers over the Internet. These services may all run on a single server or on multiple specialized servers. Figure 7-10

World Wide Web: Most popular Internet service Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet World Wide Web: Most popular Internet service Web pages: Formatted using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) with embedded links that connect documents to one another and that also link pages to other objects, such as sound, video, or animation files Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): Communications standard used to transfer pages on Web Uniform resource locator (URL): Full address of web page, including protocol, domain name, directory path, and file name E.g.: http://www.megacorp.com/content/features/082602.html

Web site: Collection of Web pages linked to home page Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Web servers: Software for locating and managing stored Web pages, typically run on dedicated computers E.g. Apache HTTP Server, Microsoft IIS Web site: Collection of Web pages linked to home page Webmaster: Person in charge of organization’s Web site Search engines: Allow finding information on Web of 50 billion+ pages nearly instantly Serve as major portals to Web Early search engines: Simple keyword indexes of visited pages Yahoo!: Originally organized favorite Web sites into directory lists

Search engines: Shopping bots: Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Search engines: Google: Utilized new page ranking system and indexed combinations of words Search engine marketplace very competitive Search engines have become major shopping tools Search engine marketing: Search engine includes paid, sponsored links and advertisements in search results Fastest growing form of Internet advertising Shopping bots: Use intelligent agent software for searching Internet for shopping information

Major Web Search Engines Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Major Web Search Engines Google is the most popular search engine on the Web, handling nearly 50 percent of all Web searches. Figure 7-11

How Google Works Management Information Systems Figure 7-12 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet How Google Works Figure 7-12 The Google search engine is continuously crawling the Web, indexing the content of each page, calculating its popularity, and storing the pages so that it can respond quickly to user requests to see a page. The entire process takes about one-half second.

Web 2.0 Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Web 2.0 Second-generation interactive Internet-based services Mashups: Software services that mix and match content or software components to create something entirely new Blog: informal chronological Web site where subscribing individuals can publish stories, opinions, and links to other Web sites RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication): Syndicates Web site content so it can be pulled from Web sites and fed automatically to subscribed users Wikis: Collaborative Web sites where visitors can add, delete, or modify content on site, including work of previous authors

Intranets: Private networks using Internet standards Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Intranets: Private networks using Internet standards Protected from public visits by firewalls Extranets: Limited area of intranet designed for access by authorized vendors and customers Technologies and tools for communication and e-business E-mail Chat, instant messaging Electronic discussions Groupware Electronic conferencing

Monitoring Employees on Networks: Unethical or Good Business? Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Monitoring Employees on Networks: Unethical or Good Business? Read the Interactive Session: Management, and then discuss the following questions: Should managers monitor employee e-mail and Internet usage? Why or why not? Describe an effective e-mail and Web use policy for a company.

Internet telephony: Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Internet telephony: Telephone voice transmission over Internet or private networks Voice over IP (VoIP): Uses Internet Protocol (IP) to deliver voice information using packet switching, avoiding tolls charged by local and long-distance telephone networks Fastest-growing form of telephone service in United States Can reduce communication and network management costs by 20 to 30 percent Flexible technology: Phones can be added or moved to different offices without rewiring or reconfiguring network

How IP Telephony Works Management Information Systems Figure 7-13 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet How IP Telephony Works An IP phone call digitizes and breaks up a voice message into data packets that may travel along different routes before being reassembled at the final destination. A processor nearest the call’s destination, called a gateway, arranges the packets in the proper order and directs them to the telephone number of the receiver or the IP address of the receiving computer. Figure 7-13

Virtual private networks Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet Virtual private networks Secure, encrypted, private network configured within public network, like Internet Provide network infrastructure for combining voice and data networks Can be established with different, competing protocols E.g. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) Tunneling: Packets of data are encrypted and wrapped inside IP packets

A Virtual Private Network Using the Internet Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Internet A Virtual Private Network Using the Internet This VPN is a private network of computers linked using a secure “tunnel” connection over the Internet. It protects data transmitted over the public Internet by encoding the data and “wrapping” them within the Internet Protocol (IP). By adding a wrapper around a network message to hide its content, organizations can create a private connection that travels through the public Internet. Figure 7-14

Wireless devices: Have become portable computing platforms Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wireless devices: Have become portable computing platforms Cell phones Laptops Handhelds Personal digital assistants (PDAs) E-mail handhelds Smart phones Cellular systems: Mobile phones enable millions to communicate and access Internet in countries where conventional phone or Internet service is expensive or unavailable. More mobile phones than PCs (3 billion vs 1 billion)

Cellular Generations: Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Cellular standards Global system for mobile communication (GSM) Europe, most of world, and some U.S. systems (AT&T) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) A widely used standard in U.S. (Verizon) Cellular Generations: 384 Kbps, good for e-mail, and OK at downloading Web pages. 3G (third generation) networks: 384 Kbps to 2 Mbps, acceptable for broadband access 2.5G networks: Interim solution; 30 - 144 Kbps. iPhone uses AT&T EDGE 2.G network maximum speed 236; actual about 80 Kbps

Mobile wireless standards for Web access Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Mobile wireless standards for Web access Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) System of protocols, technologies enabling cell phones and other devices with tiny display screens, low bandwidth, and minimal memory to access Web-based information and services Uses: Wireless markup language (WML) based on XML Microbrowsers WAP gateway to translate Web content into WML for mobile devices Google Mobile and Yahoo! Mobile pages

Mobile wireless standards for Web access I-mode Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Mobile wireless standards for Web access I-mode Japan’s DoCoMo mobile phone network’s wireless service Uses compact HTML to deliver content Easier for business to convert Web sites for mobile access Limited geographic adoption to Asia

WAP Versus I-Mode Management Information Systems Figure 7-15 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution WAP Versus I-Mode WAP and i-mode use alternative standards for accessing information from the wireless Web. Figure 7-15

Wireless computer networks and Internet access Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wireless computer networks and Internet access Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards for wireless networks IEEE 802.15: PANs, Bluetooth IEEE 802.11: LANs, Wi-Fi IEEE 802.16: MANs, WiMax

Bluetooth: IEEE 802.15 Useful for personal area networks (PANs) Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Bluetooth: IEEE 802.15 Useful for personal area networks (PANs) Links up to eight devices within 10-meter area using low-power, radio-based communication Transmits up to 722 Kbps in 2.4-GHz band Used for wireless keyboards, mice, cell phones, PDAs, printers

A Bluetooth Network (PAN) Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution A Bluetooth Network (PAN) Bluetooth enables a variety of devices, including cell phones, PDAs, wireless keyboards and mice, PCs, and printers, to interact wirelessly with each other within a small 30-foot (10-meter) area. In addition to the links shown, Bluetooth can be used to network similar devices to send data from one PC to another, for example. Figure 7-16

Wi-Fi Management Information Systems IEEE 802.11 standards Modes: Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 standards 802.11a: 54 Mbps, 5 GHz, 802.11b: 11 Mbps, 2.4 GHz 802.11g: 54 Mbps, 2.4 GHz, compatible with 802.11b 802.11n: emerging standard, greater than 200 Mbps Modes: Infrastructure mode: Wireless devices communicate with wired LAN using access points (device with radio receiver/transmitter) Ad hoc mode: Wireless devices communicate directly to each other Wireless communication requires client to have wireless NICs or embedded chips to receive Wi-Fi signals

An 802.11 Wireless LAN Management Information Systems Figure 7-17 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution An 802.11 Wireless LAN Mobile laptop computers equipped with wireless NICs link to the wired LAN by communicating with the access point. The access point uses radio waves to transmit network signals from the wired network to the client adapters, which convert them into data that the mobile device can understand. The client adapter then transmits the data from the mobile device back to the access point, which forwards the data to the wired network. Figure 7-17

Wi-Fi and wireless Internet access Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wi-Fi and wireless Internet access IEEE 802.11 standard provides wireless Internet access Access point plugs into Internet connection Wi-Fi hotspots: One or more access points in public space to provide maximum wireless coverage Some are free, others require registration/fees

Wi-Fi drawbacks Weak security (especially when not secured!) Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wi-Fi drawbacks Weak security (especially when not secured!) No roaming from hotspot to hotspot Susceptibility to interference from nearby systems operating in same spectrum Wireless phones, microwave ovens, other wireless LANs

WiMax Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution WiMax Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access IEEE 802.16 standard Access range up to 31 miles Data transfer up to 75 Mbps WiMax antennas are powerful enough to beam high-speed Internet connections to rooftop antennas of homes and businesses that are miles away

Broadband cellular wireless and emerging wireless services Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Broadband cellular wireless and emerging wireless services 2.5G and 3G networks configured to provide anytime broadband access for PCs and handhelds EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized): Technology providing cellular wireless Internet access at 200-400 Kbps maximum. Basis for Verizon’s and Sprint’s wireless services Many cell phones and mobile devices can switch from one type of network to another, are Bluetooth-capable, etc.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems Use tiny tags (transponders) with embedded microchips that transmit radio signals over short distance to RFID readers Operate in various unlicensed frequency bands Low frequency systems have short reading ranges (up to few feet) Requires special middleware to filter, aggregate RFID data Usually requires companies to upgrade hardware and software to handle massive amounts of data produced by RFID systems Used to track movement of goods through supply chain RFID systems can track each pallet, lot, or even unit item in shipment

How RFID Works Management Information Systems Figure 7-18 Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution How RFID Works RFID uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in a tag at distances ranging from 1 inch to 100 feet. The reader captures the data from the tag and sends them over a network to a host computer for processing. Figure 7-18

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) Networks of interconnected devices embedded in physical environment Provide measurement of many points over large spaces Devices have built-in processing, storage, radio-frequency sensors and antennas Range from hundreds to thousands of nodes

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) May use tiered architecture: Progressing from low-level sensors to high-level data aggregation, analysis, and storage Uses: Monitoring environmental changes, e.g. tire pressure in your car Monitoring traffic or military activity Protecting property Operating machinery and vehicles Establishing security perimeters Monitoring supply chain management

A Wireless Sensor Network for a Security System Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution A Wireless Sensor Network for a Security System Figure 7-19 Each level of this wireless sensor network handles different types of sensing. Lower-level sensors for monitoring events, such as doors opening and closing, motion, and breakage of windows and doors, are complemented by a small group of more advanced sensors placed in key locations, such as cameras and acoustic and chemical detectors.

Wal-Mart Grapples with RFID Management Information Systems Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology The Wireless Revolution Wal-Mart Grapples with RFID Read the Interactive Session: Organizations, and then discuss the following questions: How is RFID technology related to Wal-Mart’s business model? How does it benefit suppliers? What management, organization, and technology factors explain why Wal-Mart suppliers had trouble implementing RFID systems? What conditions would make adopting RFID more favorable for suppliers? Should Wal-Mart require all its suppliers to use RFID? Why or why not? Explain your answer.