Networking Case Studies

Identify the Network Environment used and its suitability.

You will need to know….

For this task you need to know the three different types of Technology Environments and their properties.

Stand AloneLocal Area Network (LAN)

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Consists of only ONE computer

2 or more computers that are connected in close distance to each other.

2 or more computers that are connected more than a kilometre away from each other.

Questions to Consider

Answer the following questions for each of the following 4 Case studies;What is the most suitable information

technology environment? Provide a rationale for your choice.What are the advantages and

disadvantages of this type of environment? Identify a local business that would use this

type of business environment. Why?

Case Study 1;The New Business

Annie Brown and Jake Japoli were both former students of the same secondary school. Several years after graduation, Jake and Annie met at a small business conference. After drafting a business plan and successfully applying for a business loan, they opened AJ Web Searching Online. Their business provides an Internet, web-search service to companies, students, or anyone requiring fast research results. They employ four online searchers. Their employees access sites of interest, they print the reference material for the customer. One printer is utilized for this purpose.

Case Study 2;The Doctor’s Office

Dr. Billie Khan recently renovated her office and was deciding on the best way to implement information technology in order to improve operations. She decided that the receptionist should use a database to keep track of patient appointment information because each day the receptionist will need to print the appointment list and patient information. Also, the receptionist will have to maintain information on prescriptions written and any charges billed to the customers. This information will be printed and kept in the patient’s file.

Case Study 3;TU International

TU (Technology is Us) is a global company with offices across the globe. They have a Web site that is located at www.TU.com. The employees at TU are always working, from distant locations, on joint projects. They use electronic communication tolls such as e-mail to communicate. TU employees each have personal IDs and passwords that must be entered before they can access their computer workstations.

Case Study 4; Pringle High School

Pringle High School has 1200 students attending grades 9-12. Currently, there are several rooms at Pringle that students can use to access computers. Room 112 has 22 computers. This room does not have Internet access, students must save their work on a USB, and each cluster of four machines has one printer. The Information Technology Resource Centre has 15 machines that have internet access. When students print, all material prints on the one printer at the back of the room. In the main office, there are four secretaries and three administrators. They use their computers to access information about students. This information is stored at the Education Centre which is a 55-minute drive from the school. They also use their systems to share files and communicate electronically.