Computer Networking and Online Shopping Quiz

Chapter 7: Systems Analysis and Design

• Seventh edition of a textbook on systems analysis and design
• Authors: John Satzinger, Robert Jackson, and Stephen Burd
• Publication year: 2016
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Defining the System Architecture

• Discusses the critical component of choosing appropriate technologies for new system development
• Defines and summarizes technology and architectural concepts
• Explains the key aspects of describing a system's environment and the process to design application components

Chapter 7: Outline

• Anatomy of a Modern Information System
• Architectural Concepts
• Interoperability
• Architectural Diagrams
• Describing the Environment
• Designing Application Components

Learning Objectives

• Understand architectural concepts, including ubiquitous computing, components, protocols, interoperability, and distributed architectures
• Effectively describe location, network, and deployment diagrams
• Analyze system environments and answer key questions through architectural diagrams
• Create designs for larger application components based on use cases and analysis models

Overview

• Choosing appropriate technologies is crucial for new system development.
• Key technologies and architectural concepts must be explained and summarized.
• Activities related to describing the environment and designing application components need detailed consideration.

Activities of "Design System Components"

• Core processes of new system components design: -Identifying the problem and obtaining approval. -Planning and monitoring the project. -Discovering and understanding project details. -Designing system components. -Building, testing, and integrating system components. -Completing system tests and deploying the solution. -Several iterations of these processes are required for new system components design.

Anatomy of a Modern System – Computing Devices

• Servers: Manage shared resources, enabling access for other users and computers.
• Personal computing devices (clients): Include desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Simplified architecture for application (Amazon.com)

• Illustrates a simplified architecture for Amazon.com.
• Key components shown: Payment processor, Shipper, Amazon server, and Internet connection.

Anatomy - Networks (1 of 2)

• Computer network: Includes hardware, software, and transmission media.
• Internet backbone: High-capacity, high-bandwidth lines and computers, owned by governments and telecom companies.
• Local area network (LAN): A small network for a single site.
• World Wide Web (WWW): Interconnected resources via the Internet.

Anatomy - Networks (2 of 2)

• Uniform Resource Locator (URL): Used to locate a resource via web.
• Hyperlink: A URL embedded within another resource.

Anatomy - Software (1 of 3)

• Application software: Programs that users employ to perform tasks.
• Apps: Custom programs for laptops or smartphones.
• System software: Manages fundamental operations to run the system.

Anatomy - Software (2 of 3)

• Diagram illustrating components of the software.
• Operating system, Web server, Application programs, database management system, web, protocol types.
• Components linked via network

Anatomy - Software (3 of 3)

• Web-Based Applications: Use web browsers, accessed via URLs, residing on web servers, using standard IP protocols.
• Embedded Software: Software functions embedded within other applications. (Example: Toolbars, Plug-ins, Widgets)

Anatomy - Protocols

• Protocol: Set of languages and rules for hardware and software communication for exchanging data.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN): Creates a private network using secure technologies and encryption on top of an internet connection

Anatomy - Software and Protocols

-Diagram illustrates relationships of software, hardware, and protocol components and network structure.

Anatomy – Web Protocols

• HTML: Hypertext markup language for web page structure and content.
• XML: Extensible Markup Language, an extension of HTML to define the semantics of tags and data.
• HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol, defines format for web documents between clients and servers, and how resources are retrieved and delivered.

HTTP Methods

• GET: Retrieves data from a resource
• POST: Submits data to a server
• PUT: Updates or replaces a resource
• DELETE: Removes a resource
• HEAD: Retrieves only the headers of a resource

HTTPS (hypertext transfer protocol secure)

• Encrypted and secure transfers of data using SSL/TLS encryption; ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authentication.

Architectural Concepts

• Frameworks, Tools, Principles, and Patterns for Application: Design patterns are used for development and management of applications, ensuring scalability, security, maintainability according to business needs.
• Technology architecture focuses on underlying infrastructure. Hardware, software, networks, and integration systems are considered.
• Physical servers, cloud platforms, storage systems, virtualization, networking, and security are included.

Architectural Concepts – Application Architecture

• Defines structure, components, and interactions; assuring functional and non-functional requirements
• Key elements include front-end, back-end, APIs, and relational/NoSQL databases.
• Technology and application architecture complement each other. Technology architecture provides infrastructure and tools, while application architecture defines the structure and interactions with the infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

• Software not installed on user devices.
• Application services accessed remotely.
• User data stored on common servers.

Web Services

• Software function executed with Web standards.
• Accessed via URLs.
• Inputs sent via URLs, executes remotely and responses returned in web pages.

Distributed Architectures

• Client/Server architecture: part of the application resides on a server, and another part resides on the client.
• Three-tier architecture: pattern in software engineering for distributed systems and web applications; each layer has a specific role—view, logic, and data.

Distributed Architecture: Key Components

• View layer: Presents user interface and handles user interactions. Presenting data in a way users can understand and interact with the system. Also handling inputs.
• Logic layer: Contains business logic, processes user requests, performs calculations and applying rules. Manages the flow of data.
• Data layer: Manages and stores data in databases; interacts with other data sources.

Three Layer Architecture

• Diagram illustrates relationships among software layers.

Interoperability

• Application ability to interact with other software. Key aspects include technical (data exchange consistently), semantic (data structure), and organizational (policies and workflow). Essential characteristic of current development projects.
• Component descriptions must consider interoperability.

Describing the Environment (1 of 2)

• Critical questions to accurately describe environments:
  • Key features of existing or new environment (O/S, systems software, networks, tools).
  • External systems or DBMSs; type of interaction.
  • Data characteristics (types, structure).
  • Protocols and security requirements

Describing the Environment (2 of 2)

• Key questions (continued): -Required devices and protocols. -Security requirements. -User interface technology, user characteristics (skills, location). -Hardware and device types, and client O/S. -Necessary APIs

Designing Application Components

• Application component boundaries; function division among components.
• Grouping functions to build components.
• Actor (user) functions within the system.
• Shared data components for common data access.
• Event processing and sequence of actions within the environment.

RMO CSMS Application Architecture (1 of 3), (2 of 3), (3 of 3)

• Detailed example of use cases, user roles, domain classes, events, and grouped assignments based on these criteria.

RMO CSMS Deployment Diagram

• Graphical representation of the three-layer architecture.

RMO CSMS Component Integration

• System interactions and data flow within the system components.
• Integration of different components and data flows are critically presented.

RMO CSMS Data Ownership

• System responsible for data maintenance. (Data source and update methods are shown).

Summary (1 of 3)

• Anatomy of a Modern Information System; Components (computing devices, networks, software, and protocols) and deployment characteristics.
• Architectural concepts (software-as-a-service and Web services).
• Distributed architecture(Client/server and three tier architectures).

Summary (2 of 3)

• Interoperability and architecture diagrams (location, network, and deployment).

Summary (3 of 3)

• Describing the environment (e.g., external systems, key questions).
• Designing application components (components, functions, and system of record ownership).

Test your knowledge on fundamental concepts of computer networking and online shopping use cases. This quiz covers topics such as inventory management, networking components, and the functions of application software. Challenge yourself and see how well you understand these essential aspects of technology!