Communications Software

7) Communications software provides a number of important functions in a network. Most communications software packages provide error checking and message formatting. In some cases, when there is a problem, the software can indicate what is wrong and suggest possible solutions. Communications software can also maintain a log listing all jobs and communications that have taken place over a specified period of time. In addition, data security and privacy techniques are built into most packages.

8) In Chapter 4, you learned that all computers have operating systems that control many functions. When an application program requires data from a disk drive, it goes through the operating system. Now consider a situation in which a computer is attached to a network that connects large disk drives, printers, and other equipment and devices. How does an application program request data from a disk drive on the network? The answer is through the network operating system.

9) A network operating system (NOS) is systems software that controls the computer systems and devices on a network and allows them to communicate with each other. A NOS performs the same types of functions for the network as operating system software does for a computer, such as memory and task management and coordination of hardware. When network equipment (such as printers, plotters, and disk drives) is required, the NOS makes sure that these resources arc used correctly. In most cases, companies that produce and sell networks provide the NOS. For example, NetWare is the NOS from Novell, a popular network environment for personal computer systems and equipment. Windows NT and Windows 2000 are other commonly used network operating systems.

10) Software tools and utilities are available for managing networks. With network-management software, a manager on a networked personal computer can monitor the use of individual computers and shared hardware (such as printers), scan for viruses, and ensure compliance with software licenses. Network-management software also simplifies the process of updating files and programs on computers on the network—changes can be made through a communications server instead of being made on individual computers. In addition, network-management software protects software from being copied, modified, or downloaded illegally and performs error control to locate telecommunications errors and potential network problems. Some of the many benefits of network-management software include fewer hours spent on routine tasks (such as installing new software), faster response to problems, and greater overall network control.

11) Network management is one of the most important tasks of IS managers. In fact, poor management of the network can cause a whole company to suffer. With networks now being used to communicate with customers and business partners, network outages or slow performance can even mean a loss of business. Network management includes a wide range of technologies and processes used to automate infrastructure monitoring and help IS staffs identify and address problems before they affect customers, business partners, or employees.

12) Fault detection and performance management are the two types of network-management products. Both employ the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to obtain key information from individual network components. SNMP is the standard management protocol used on TCP/IP networks. It allows virtually anything on the network, including switches, routers, firewalls, and even operating systems and server products and utilities, to communicate with management software about its current operations and state of health. SNMP can also be used to control these devices and products, telling them to redirect traffic, change traffic priorities, or even to shut down.

13) Fault management software alerts IS staff in real-time when a device is failing. Equipment vendors place traps (code in a software program for handling unexpected or unallowable conditions) on their hardware to identify the occurrence of problems. In addition, the IS staff can place agents—automated pieces of software—on networks to monitor different functions. When a device exceeds a given performance threshold, the agent sends an alarm to the company’s IS fault management program. For example, if a CPU registers that it is more than 80 percent busy, an alarm may be generated.

14) Performance management software sends messages to the various devices (i.e., polls them) to sample their performance and to determine whether they are operating within acceptable levels. The devices reply to the management system with performance data that the system stores in a database. This real-time data is automatically correlated to historical trends and displayed graphically so that the IS staff can identify any unusual variations.

15) Today, most IS organizations use a combination of fault management and performance management to ensure that their network remains up and running and that every network component and application is performing acceptably. With the two technologies, the IS staff can identify and resolve fault and performance issues before they affect customers and service. The latest network-management technology even incorporates automatic fixes—the network-management system identifies a problem, notifies the IS manager, and automatically corrects the problem before anyone outside the IS department notices it.

16) Con Edison Communications is testing management software from Hewlett-Packard Co. on the fiber-optic network it operates in the New York metropolitan area. By installing HP Open View Network Node Manager software, Con Edison Communications network administrators will be able to monitor all elements on its metropolitan area network from a single management console, enabling them to react more quickly when problems occur. Con Edison has already spent more than $ 1 million to roll out HP’s Open View TeMIP Operations. Support system, which offers a set of telecommunications-infrastructure-management capabilities, including fault-management and service-activation tools. Network Node Manager will feed network alarms and fault information into the TeMIP software.

1. Answer the questions:

· What do we need computer networks for? What do we have to know to take full advantage of networks and distributed processing?

· Name three basic processing strategies. How do they differ?

· How does an application program request data from a disk drive on the network?

· What are the functions of communication software?

· What types of network-management products do the companies use? In what way?

2. Decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Correct the wrong ones:

1. With centralized processing, processing devices are placed at various remote locations.

2. Terrorist attacks sparked many companies to distribute their workers, operations, and systems much more widely.

3. Network-management software simplifies the process of updating files and programs on computers on the network.

4. Fault detection and performance management employ the TCP/IP to obtain key information from individual network components.

5. The IS staff can identify and resolve fault and performance issues after they affect customers and service.

3. Fill the gaps with an appropriate word:

illegally error mainframe protocols management incorporates tools database distribution NOS

1) You should understand basic processing strategies, communications software, and communications _________________.

2) It uses a proprietary Retail Information System (RIS) that runs on a single __________ computer.

3) Most communications software packages provide _______ checking and message formatting.

4) When network equipment is required, the ______ makes I sure that these resources arc used correctly.

5) Network-management software protects software from being copied, modified, or downloaded __________ and performs error control to locate telecommunications errors and potential network problems.

6) Poor ______________ of the network can cause a whole company to suffer.

7) Support system offers a set of telecommunications-infrastructure-management capabilities, including fault-management and service-activation __________.

8) The devices reply to the management system with performance data that the system stores in a _________.

9) The latest network-management technology even __________ automatic fixes.

10) The ______________ of the processing across the organizational system ensures that the right information is delivered to the right individuals, maximizing the capabilities of the overall information system.

4. Match the word with its definition:

1. centralized processing	A. Software that provides a number of important functions in a network, such as error checking and data security.
2. decentralized processing	B. an output device that draws graphs and other pictorial images on paper, sometimes using attached pens.
3. distributed processing	C. A software program specifically designed to help manage and tune the computer hardware, operating system or application software, and perform a single task or a small range of tasks; as opposed to application software which tends to be software suites.
4. communications software	D. Systems software that controls the computer systems and devices on a network and allows them to communicate with each other.
5. network operating system (NOS)	E. A temporary suspension of operation, especially of electrical power supply.
6. network-management software	F. The software that monitors traffic in and out of a private network or a personal computer and allows or blocks such traffic depending on its perceived threat.
7. plotter	G. Software that enables a manager on a networked desktop to monitor the use of individual computers and shared hardware (such as printers), scan for viruses, and ensure compliance with software licenses.
8. firewall	H. Processing alternative in which all processing occurs in a single location or facility.
9. utility	I. Processing alternative in which computers are placed at remote locations but connected to each other via a network.
10. outage	J. Processing alternative in which processing devices are placed at various remote locations.