1 - Introduction to Internet Computing Flashcards
Internet Computing
Internet Computing is concerned with the applications provided on the internet, the architectures and technologies used in applications on the internet, and the systematic matters that shape the design of applications on the internet. Internet Computing encompasses all applications irrespective if they are built for the general public (e.g. social network services), or solely used in a single organization (e.g. Enterprise Resource Planning Systems) or in a closed group of organizations (e.g. supply chain management systems)
Forms of Internet Applications (3)
- Designed for the general public vs. specific organizations
- Private use vs. commercial use
- Open-Source vs. proprietary
Applications (2)
- Variety of internet based applications
- Can target a wide range of different user groups
Architectures (3+2)
- foundation of applications
- describe the basic components and structures, that allow applications to work
- Considerations about both:
- > technical infrastructure of the Internet
- > structural considerations about the design of software and systems
Technologies (2)
- underlying technical capabilities of the Internet
- describe the entities to solve specific internet-based real-world problems
Systematic Matters (2)
- trends and paradigms that influence design of applications
- ethical aspects or internet landscape as holistic system
Distributed Systems
A distributed System is a collection of independent computers, that appears to its users as a single coherent systems
Information Systems
Information Systems are interrelated components that work together to collect, process, store and disseminate information to support decision-making, coordination, control, analysis and visualization in an organization
Design Challenges of distributed information systems (6)
- Reliability
- Scalability
- Information Security
- Integration
- Interoperability
- Usability
Reliability
System’s ability to satisfactorily perform a specified task
Scalability
System’s ability to accommodate an increasing number of elements or objects and/or it’s ability to enlargement
Information Security
System’s ability with regard with regard to confidentiality, integrity and availability
Integration
Unification of modularized (possibly third-party) components into coherent system
Interoperability
System’s ability to exchange information with other systems
Usability
System’s ability with regard to effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction
What role did ARPANET play in the creation of the Internet?
- ARPANET represented a platform of the first 4-node computer network between four university using the RFC (Request for Comments) process
- First version of TCP/IP was introduced based on RFC 675, which was later implemented to ARPANET
- TCP allowed different network protocols to to work coherently -> first time term “internet” was used
- ARPANET as one foundation network and TCP/IP as protocol for interoperability of networks lay basis of the creation of Internet
Why are distributed IS important for Internet-based applications?
Most internet applications are distributed IS:
- Distributed storage and retrieval of data
- Distributed processing of information geographically
- Distributed Users
Examples of internet-based applications (5)
- eCommerce: Amazon
- Enterprise Systems: Salesforce
- Enterprise Systems: SAP ERP
- Search Engine: Google
- Social Media: Instagram
What are the key characteristics of distributed IS?
It’s sociotechnical nature:
- not only examines software, hardware and data components
- also: organizational structures, users, interactions between IS and users
