Communication Technologies PDF

Communication Technologies Effective Digital Working Practices Introduction Communication technologies are systems that allow us to transmit data between devices, such as over a local area network or the internet. These are essential in the modern world, in our business and personal lives,...

Communication Technologies Effective Digital Working Practices Introduction Communication technologies are systems that allow us to transmit data between devices, such as over a local area network or the internet. These are essential in the modern world, in our business and personal lives, whether messaging a friend across the street or working with a colleague based in another country. In this lesson, we’ll learn about: 1. Setting up an ad-hoc network 2. Security issues with open networks 3. Performance issues with ad-hoc networks 4. Issues affecting network availability Setting Up an Ad-Hoc Network Ad hoc networks, in the context of Wi-Fi and tethering/personal hotspots, refer to a temporary network connection set up for a specific purpose, usually in a limited area. These networks are “decentralised”. This means that each device is independent and can function as both a transmitter and a receiver. There is no need for a specific central device like a router or wireless access point. Two primary ways to set up ad hoc networks are through open Wi-Fi networks and tethering/personal hotspots. Setting Up an Ad-Hoc Network Open Wi-Fi This refers to a Wi-Fi network that does not require a password to join. A user can create an open Wi-Fi network in the Wi-Fi settings on their router, allowing anyone within range to connect. Tethering/Personal Hotspot This involves using one device (often a smartphone) to share its internet connection with other devices. You can set up a personal hotspot in the settings menu of your mobile device, which then can be connected to other devices through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. Advantages of Ad-Hoc Networks Simplified Connection It is easier to connect devices, so setting up the network is quicker and simpler. This is very important in situations where the users are not very IT literate. Reduced Costs It is less expensive because it lacks a central access point, such as a home router. This saves us money on purchasing this device and means we don’t need to carry an additional device around with us. Disadvantages of Ad-Hoc Networks Slower Performance Ad-hoc networks are slower than traditional networks. This is because devices using the ad-hoc networking mode usually only support slower transfer speeds. Weaker Security They are usually less secure because wireless connections are commonly used (which are less secure than wired ones), and there is no central device for managing the security of the network. Security Issues with Open Networks As convenient as ad hoc networks may be, they come with a significant risk: security. Open networks lack the security mechanisms of password-protected networks, making them susceptible to unauthorised access and misuse. Specifically, open networks don’t have encryption. Encryption is where your data is jumbled up to make it unreadable should someone manage to intercept your data. We’ll learn more about encryption later in the course. Let’s look at some more specific security issues related to the use of open networks. Security Issues with Open Networks Data Interception On an open network, an attacker can easily intercept the data that you send and receive, including sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords. Malware Distribution Attackers can also use open networks as a platform for distributing malware and infecting connected devices. Unauthorised Access With no security barriers, attackers can gain access to your device through the network, manipulating data and settings. Performance Issues with Ad-Hoc Networks A major limitation of ad-hoc networks is the performance issues that these networks suffer from. Maximum Speed Ad-hoc networks cannot transfer data as fast as networks in infrastructure mode as they have a smaller maximum data transfer speed. The speeds can also be affected by the increased interference. Maximum Range Wireless routers have higher-powered antennas and can provide much greater ranges than wireless connections directly between devices. Further, when in ad-hoc mode, operating systems usually hide the signal strength indicator. Performance Issues with Ad-Hoc Networks Interference Ad-hoc networks produce a lot more interference when many devices are connecting, as each has its own connection, with devices often moving around and crossing signals. This interference can increase the corruption of the data being transferred, which means this data will need to be re-sent. This can reduce range, lead to dropped connections and reduce speed. Issues Affecting Network Availability Network connections, most notably your connection to the Internet, are not equal across the entire world. There are many issues that will affect the availability & performance of both mobile & traditional broadband for end users. Some of the most common issues include: Location of the network Developed vs developing countries Available infrastructure Mobile network coverage Blackspots Let’s look at each of these issues in more detail. Location of the Network Cities are likely to have excellent network coverage, as telecom providers will invest far more in these areas due to their higher population levels. This includes having far more phone masts offering mobile broadband connectivity as well as providing access to superfast broadband, including FTTP (Fibre to the Premises). This will mean that for those in rural areas you may not have fast fibre- optic broadband in your area and 4G mobile broadband, and even if you do, the speeds will be significantly poorer. In the case of mobile broadband, it’ll also be more like that you will get dropouts where your internet stops working. Developed vs Developing Countries The issues discussed above are even more true of the difference between developed and developing countries. Developed countries will likely provide excellent network coverage as money will be appropriately put into developing these networks. A developing country often lacks enough money devoted to its network infrastructure to provide coverage across the country and modern broadband speeds. The image below shows the difference between 4G availability in Zimbabwe and the UK. Red areas indicate the availability of 4G broadband. Available Infrastructure The state of network infrastructure in an area significantly affects network availability. This includes the physical hardware like cables, towers, satellites, and routers, as well as software systems managing these networks. Regions with well-developed, modern infrastructure usually offer reliable, high-speed connections. If the infrastructure is outdated or poorly maintained, it can lead to slow speeds, frequent disruptions, and limited coverage. Mobile Network Coverage Mobile network coverage can also affect internet access, especially in areas without wired connections. Similar to general network infrastructure, mobile coverage is usually better in densely populated urban areas and can be spotty in rural locations. Generally speaking, 4G broadband covers around 90% of the UK landmass, but this can vary a bit depending on the provider. Factors such as the distance from the nearest cell tower, the frequency band used by the service provider, and physical obstructions (buildings, trees, etc.) can impact the quality of mobile network coverage. Blackspots A blackspot is an area where network service is unavailable. This could be due to the lack of available infrastructure, but it can also be due to physical barriers. Geographical features like mountains, valleys or hills will disrupt wireless signals as the signals can’t pass through solid stone. This can be similar in big cities with buildings made of thick concrete, where signals will have an equally tough time getting through. We could find that our mobile broadband connections drop out while travelling, such as when passing through a tunnel. This would stop anything we’re downloading and cause us to lose something we’ve been working on. Lesson Summary The ad-hoc mode of a network allows two devices to directly communicate with each other. Open networks are unencrypted Wi-Fi networks from which you can connect to the Internet. Any information sent over an open network is at risk of being intercepted and viewed. Ad-hoc networks have a limited maximum speed that is low, have a shorter range and are more susceptible to interference. There are many issues that can affect network availability, including location of the network, developed vs developing countries, available infrastructure, mobile network coverage & blackspots. Copyright © 2024 KnowItAllNinja.com This presentation and its associated worksheets are protected by copyright and are licenced for resale by KnowItAllNinja.com. No part of these publications may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of KnowItAllNinja.com, except as per the terms of use. Terms of Use By purchasing and downloading these resources you are entering a licence agreement that allows for you to share these resources with members of a single educational institution. They must not be shared with or used by any third-party outside of the institution in any form. Features & Uses of the Cloud Effective Digital Working Practices Introduction Cloud storage and computing are two buzzwords you’ll hear frequently. This is because they offer very efficient and reliable services for both individuals and businesses. Due to this, they are now heavily used in both our personal and professional lives. In this lesson, we’ll learn about: 1. Features and uses of cloud storage 2. Features and uses of cloud computing Features & Uses of Cloud Storage Cloud storage is where data is stored on remote servers and is accessed via the Internet. Services like OneDrive or Dropbox are common examples of this. Cloud storage has many unique features that make it a more viable option for businesses trying to upgrade their storage than traditional systems (like hard drives). These features include: Setting & sharing of access rights Synchronisation of cloud & individual devices Availability Scalability Let’s look at each of these features in more detail. Setting & Sharing of Access Rights Files stored on cloud storage can have their access rights altered so that they can be shared between multiple users. This way, a team of individuals can access the files while working in completely different locations, even in different countries. Furthermore, this feature lets you create folders where multiple users can upload and edit files. We could use this to work collaboratively on a document with co-workers who are working from home. It could also be used to share photos with family members, such as holiday pictures. Synchronisation of Cloud & Individual Devices Whenever you make changes to a file while using a service like Google Drive or OneDrive, it can be configured to automatically save and synchronise your changes directly with the main server where your files are stored. This means that if you make changes on one device and immediately check another, you will see your files up-to-date, provided both are connected to the Internet. It also means all of your files are automatically backed up to a remote location in case your computer is damaged, such as by a virus or fire. Availability Cloud servers are always online so if you have a stable Internet connection, you will be able to connect to one and manage your own files. Even if there are outages, there are likely to be several backup servers from which the service can operate off, meaning it is truly online 24/7. This is extremely useful, as it means you will always have access to your files, not just on your own computer but on any computer that has an internet connection. You can just log in to your cloud account and access all of your files. This makes it easier to work remotely, such as from home, while commuting or while abroad. Scalability Cloud service providers like Google and Microsoft ordinarily give you a certain amount of “free space”, so if you do happen to run out of space, you can always buy more. For example, for £8/month, you can get 2 terabytes of storage space in Dropbox. Cloud storage is highly scalable due to a lack of physical constraints (like hard drives). If you need to get space, you can simply change your subscription to one that is more appropriate. This will prevent bottlenecks if the company suddenly grows significantly and means you don’t need to spend large sums of money on excessive storage, just in case your business grows. Features & Uses of Cloud Computing Cloud computing includes cloud storage. However, it is more than just this. When we talk about cloud computing we are usually referring to accessing software running on a remote server via our web browser. Google Docs is an example of this. Some of the common features of cloud computing include: Online applications Consistency of versions between users Single shared instance of a file Collaboration tools/features Let’s look at each of these features in more detail. Online Applications Google and Microsoft both offer the ability to access applications through your browser. This is commonly used for Office productivity software, but there are many other examples, such as webmail clients (e.g., Gmail, and Outlook.com), cloud-based music, photo editing, and appointment calendars. These online applications are accessed through a browser over the internet, which means that we can use our software on any computer that has an internet connection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is helpful in the modern world where we often have several different devices, as we needn’t buy software for every device. Consistency of Version Between Users A great benefit of using cloud computing software in a business is ensuring that all users are running the same version of the software. When subscribed to cloud computing, the provider will keep your software up-to-date, and all users will access the exact same version. This means all users have the same features. Also, because different versions of software often lead to changes in file types, this can ensure we don’t have issues where files are compatible with some users' software. This helps users work collaboratively on files. Also, because the provider is in charge of updating software, this saves you on the administrative costs involved with maintaining your software. Single Shared Instance of a File A single file can be shared with many people all at once for them to view or modify. This viewing can be done simultaneously with somebody editing the file, and that change will appear on other users’ screens in real time. This way, you do not need to worry about people loading up a file at the same time and overwriting each other’s changes, as you can see the changes as they’re happening. You can also allow several users to edit the file all at once, with all their changes being registered as they go. This means that you can work together collaboratively on a file while on different computers, even in different countries. Collaboration Tools/Features Many cloud computing services have excellent features built in to allow users to work collaboratively. For example, Google Slides allows multiple users to edit a single presentation simultaneously. This means two co-workers could work on a presentation together while in different countries. Some additional tools include those that track changes or add comments. This allows you to see what changes somebody has made to a file while you’ve not been accessing it, so you can catch up and see what they’ve done and edit any of the changes they’ve made (or indeed reject and remove those changes). Lesson Summary Cloud storage allows us to store data on remote servers that we access over the internet. Common features include setting & sharing of access rights, synchronisation of cloud & individual devices, availability, and scalability Cloud computing encompasses cloud storage but also includes cloud-based software that runs on external servers, which we access through our web browser. Common features include online applications, consistency of versions between users, single shared instances of a file, and collaboration tools/features. Copyright © 2024 KnowItAllNinja.com This presentation and its associated worksheets are protected by copyright and are licenced for resale by KnowItAllNinja.com. No part of these publications may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of KnowItAllNinja.com, except as per the terms of use. Terms of Use By purchasing and downloading these resources you are entering a licence agreement that allows for you to share these resources with members of a single educational institution. They must not be shared with or used by any third-party outside of the institution in any form. Selection of Cloud Technologies Effective Digital Working Practices Introduction Choosing a cloud service isn’t always a simple task, as there are many similar services out there. However, each service usually has unique characteristics that help you to make this decision. Choosing a cloud service doesn’t mean we have to completely forget our traditional computing technologies, though. In fact, they can often work in tandem very effectively. In this lesson, we’ll learn about: 1. How the selection of platforms & services impact on the use of cloud technologies 2. How cloud and ‘traditional’ systems are used together Features & Uses of Cloud Storage A cloud service provider is a business that runs one or more data centres filled with cloud servers and provides access to these, usually in return for a fee. There are many cloud service providers offering various unique characteristics to suit different needs. Some of the key factors to consider include: Number & complexity of features Paid vs free Interface design Available devices Let’s look at each of these factors in more detail. Number & Complexity of Features Depending on the cloud service you select, it will offer different features—some may be more complex or simple than others. For example, if you choose between Google Docs and Microsoft Office Online, you will see some differences in the features. Office Online has great features for interacting with your local versions of the software, while Google Docs allows you to install add- ons that provide all kinds of extra features that allow you to customise the software to your needs. It isn’t just about choosing the service with the most features, though. You want to choose a service that offers the features you need without having excessive features that you won’t use and might make it confusing to use. Paid vs Free Free cloud services will offer a starting amount of storage or software access, meaning you will have to pay for more. Although the quality of the service cannot be guaranteed, this doesn’t mean all free services are bad. For example, reputable providers, like Google, will offer fantastic features at no initial cost. Though, you can then pay to extend your access, such as gaining a further storage allowance. Businesses are usually required to use a paid cloud service, which charges on a per-user basis. This service usually gives you more storage right away and offers increased features compared to free services. It’s tailor-made for business use, providing additional features and better customer support. Paid vs Free A comparison of the free and paid features for the Google One cloud service can be seen below: Figure 1 – The four pricing levels of Google One. Interface Design The interface design of the cloud service being used is particularly important as it affects its ease of use. If somebody has trouble navigating the interface, they may move to a different service. This is particularly true if the users are not very IT literate. Therefore, when choosing a cloud service, you would need to consider some of the following user interface design features: Layout Accessibility Mobile vs desktop Let’s look at each of these in more detail. Interface Design Layout The user interface should be simple and intuitive. Users should be able to use it without extensive training and support. It's helpful if the interface is similar to one you are experienced in using. For example, Microsoft Office web apps are almost identical to the Office software on your computer and so would be easier to use than Google Docs. Accessibility Ensuring cloud service accessibility for individuals with visual impairment is a key consideration for businesses. This includes ensuring the interface can be adapted, such as by changing colours and font sizes and is compatible with screen reading software and other accessibility technologies. Interface Design Mobile vs Desktop Most cloud services are accessed via a web browser, which means they will be available to both desktop & mobile users. But does the interface adapt to be usable on a smaller mobile screen? Often, on mobile devices, we’ll make use of a mobile app instead, but some may not have a mobile app, which will make the cloud service less useful to mobile users. Available Devices This refers to what kind of device the service is available on. As mentioned, most cloud services are accessed via the web, which makes them available on all platforms (platform-independent). Cloud services often have apps that provide specific features. For example, to sync your computer with a cloud storage service, you need to install a specific software program. However, it may be the case that a cloud service app is only usable on certain platforms, for example, Windows and not Mac OS, or only on Android and not iOS. If the cloud service provider only offers apps on platforms that you are not using, then you are likely better off choosing a different service. Using Cloud & Traditional Systems Together Rather than relying on one system or the other, it is more efficient and advantageous to use both cloud and traditional systems together. Many cloud service providers provide apps that will allow for cloud services to work with local storage and software effectively. There are certain features that make this particularly easy to do so, including: Device synchronisation Online/offline working Notifications Let’s look at each of these features in more detail. Device Synchronisation Many cloud storage services will allow you to sync your devices with cloud storage. Usually, when you install a cloud services app, it will create a folder for that service on your computer. When you save files to the cloud folder on your computer and you're connected to the Internet, they will be synced with the cloud server and updated on any other device you connect to the service. This way, you can still store your files locally for quick loading and saving but still have consistent versions across your different devices. It also means that all of your files are automatically backed up to a remote location should something happen to your local copy. Online/Offline Working Cloud services are primarily designed for online use, therefore certain features will be disabled if used offline. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t access the cloud, provided if the files are stored locally. Once you go back online, and if you’ve made any edits, the cloud will be updated. Both OneDrive and Google Drive have these features, but you need the files to be downloaded to your device. Otherwise, you won’t be able to view and edit them while offline. This is obviously very closely related to the device synchronisation we mentioned previously. Some online software applications, like Google Docs, also provide offline modes. This way, you can continue to use your software should you lose your internet connection. Notifications Installing the cloud services app on your computer often creates an icon in your system tray that provides notifications when certain events occur. For example, it might let you know whether all local files have been successfully synced with the cloud or if upload/download is currently taking place. It can also inform you of issues where syncing has failed and identify upcoming events on your calendar. We can see this often when using Windows 10, which will display notifications from your connected email & cloud storage accounts. Notifications We can see an example of the Microsoft OneDrive notifications tray below. Figure 2 – The Microsoft One Drive System Tray Notification. Lesson Summary A cloud service provider operates data centres with cloud servers. Key factors to consider when choosing a cloud service provider include the number and complexity of features, paid vs. free options, interface design, and supported devices. It is more efficient and advantageous to use both cloud and traditional systems together. Key features that facilitate this integration include device synchronization, online/offline working capabilities, and notifications. Copyright © 2024 KnowItAllNinja.com This presentation and its associated worksheets are protected by copyright and are licenced for resale by KnowItAllNinja.com. No part of these publications may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of KnowItAllNinja.com, except as per the terms of use. Terms of Use By purchasing and downloading these resources you are entering a licence agreement that allows for you to share these resources with members of a single educational institution. They must not be shared with or used by any third-party outside of the institution in any form. Implications of Cloud Technologies Effective Digital Working Practices Introduction Cloud technologies have brought considerable benefits to organisations, but choosing the right ones can be difficult. Many factors will have to be contemplated to decide what kind of cloud service will work best for a company. In this lesson, we’ll learn about: 1. Consideration of disaster recovery policies 2. Security of data 3. Compatibility 4. Maintenance 5. Getting a service/software up and running quickly 6. Performance considerations Disaster Recovery Policies A disaster recovery policy is a plan that a business implements to limit the damage caused when a disaster occurs. By “disaster”, we could mean, for example, a fire that destroyed computer equipment, a cybersecurity incident, or a major network failure. The disaster recovery policy might include things like: Taking regular backups Having reserve equipment to replace anything that fails or is damaged Having an alternative site to switch business operations to. Disaster Recovery Policies Cloud services support a business’ disaster recovery policy as their data is stored on the cloud, in a remote location from the business and therefore somewhat protected from damage. They also will almost all provide automatic backup services to the data they store for you and the ability to sync your local data to the cloud to ensure you always have up-to-date backups to recover with. Cloud providers will have their own disaster recovery policies, such as having multiple backup servers. This way, if one of their systems suffers damage, there will be other systems to fall back on, so you’ll always be secure. Security of Data Organisations have a legal & ethical responsibility to ensure the data they store is kept secure. So, when storing on the cloud we need to be sure that this will not leave our data vulnerable to harm. There have been notable leaks from data stored on the cloud in recent years, but this has led these cloud service providers to put many measures in place to protect data, such as: Multi-factor authentication System & network monitoring Regular secure backups Physical access security, like locks Encryption of personal data. Security of Data It’s also important to consider where the data is being stored. Many cloud service providers will be based in countries outside of the UK. Data protection legislation doesn’t allow personal data to be transferred outside of the EU unless the country has strong data protection legislation. You might find you’re storing your data in a country that doesn’t have good data protection laws and are therefore breaking the Data Protection Act. Compatibility Compatibility concerns whether the cloud service you use can work with the hardware, software, and data you are currently using. You need to be sure that the cloud service is compatible with your systems. Usually, you can access cloud services via your web browser. This method is platform-independent. However, the interface may not be optimised for your type of device, such as a small mobile screen. It might also not be compatible with the accessibility devices you’re using if you have an individual need, such as a visual impairment. Compatibility Additionally, the apps provided by the cloud provider (such as those to allow you to sync data) may not be available for the operating system you use. This would seriously limit the benefits of using the cloud service. You also need to make sure that it can load the file types that all your existing data is stored in. If the cloud service isn’t compatible with the file types you have been using it may be impossible to load any of your historical data. Maintenance Cloud services can hugely reduce the workload within a business for maintaining the software. The service providers maintain this software, so you won’t need to run your updates yourself. Unfortunately, downtime will still have to occur for larger updates (like updating the software the cloud service is running on) Downtime can also occur due to cyber-attacks and network disruptions. When any of the above happens, the servers will have to go down so nobody can access the service. Maintenance If downtime is scheduled, then it may be carried out in the hours when most customers aren’t accessing the service anyway. However, this may be more of an issue if the customer base is global due to multiple time zones across the world. Of course, one of the biggest benefits of using a cloud service is the fact that maintenance is performed by the cloud service provider and not yourself. This means you’ll have access to much more specialised staff expertise for the maintenance of your systems. Getting Up & Running Quickly Cloud services are designed to be implemented very quickly – especially when compared to setting up a local server. We won’t need to purchase and configure the physical hardware and software, this is handled by the service providers specialist staff. Many cloud services offer ways to automatically move a business’s applications and storage to the cloud and configure automatic syncing between local and cloud storage. This will save an organisation a lot of time. In addition, if you have any issues while using the system, paid cloud service providers will usually offer premium support to help you learn the software and correct any teething issues you are initially facing. Performance Considerations Due to cloud storage and computing performing storage and processing on remote servers, there can be issues where things take longer to perform than you would normally expect. For example, when saving a file, you must wait for it to upload to the cloud server. There are several performance considerations that must be thought about when choosing a cloud technology for business: The responsiveness to the user The complexity of the task Available devices & communication technology Let’s look at each of the in more detail. Performance Considerations The Responsiveness to the User When accessing the cloud services website, you would normally expect it to load in a few seconds so you can quickly access your files and data. Additionally, when using cloud software, you would not want there to be a long lag time between pressing an input (such as typing a letter) and the output being displayed on screen. The Complexity of the Task Complex tasks require far greater processing than simpler ones and can take too long to perform by cloud services. The same is said if you are running multiple tasks at once. For example, cloud-based gaming services continue to struggle as video games are too complex to perform quickly via the cloud, given current internet speeds. Performance Considerations Available Devices & Communication Technology Your local device will generally have little impact on cloud services running as the cloud servers perform the workload. However, the speed of your connection will often significantly impact performance. If your connection is less than 5Mbps, uploading and downloading files to a cloud server could be too slow compared to a 50Mbps connection. Lesson Summary Cloud services support disaster recovery policies by providing regular, remotely stored backups. Data security is a concern, so it is essential to ensure that the provider has robust security procedures & legal compliance. Compatibility issues with an organisation’s devices may arise but is less likely since these systems are mostly platform-independent. Cloud services usually reduce maintenance workload by handling software updates and providing specialist staff expertise. Implementing cloud services is typically straightforward as they automate much of the configuration and offer migration services. Cloud service performance can be influenced by factors such as user responsiveness, task complexity, and the devices and communication technologies used. Copyright © 2024 KnowItAllNinja.com This presentation and its associated worksheets are protected by copyright and are licenced for resale by KnowItAllNinja.com. No part of these publications may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of KnowItAllNinja.com, except as per the terms of use. Terms of Use By purchasing and downloading these resources you are entering a licence agreement that allows for you to share these resources with members of a single educational institution. They must not be shared with or used by any third-party outside of the institution in any form.