The Bead Bar Network Paper Introduction The present paper outlines IT recommendations for The Bead Bar, discusses preferable suggestions for the network topology and architecture for the organization. It includes the background for the company, describes the technology that already exists at the Bead Bar, includes the network topology proposed for the Bead Bar and the factors leading to make these recommendations. Finally, the paper explores the network architecture recommended for the Bead Bar, the reasoning behind the proposal, and discusses the potential advantages and drawbacks that network recommendation will provide to the Bead Bar. Background Understanding the companys IT needs implies understanding the functional and administrative structure. The Bead Bar was founded in 1998 by Meredith S. The company offers beads, wire, and string, and provides its customers with the possibility to create their own bead jewelry. It consists of three divisions: six studios, five franchises, and Bead Bar on Board. The Bead Bar hires 15 full-time and 20 part-time employees.
Its annual revenues make up about $1.5 M. The Bead Bars executives require a solution to enhance the companys efficiency, as its current network system is inefficient. At the moment, the company uses paper-based forms and systems. In addition, the paper forms used in the Bead Bar are inefficient for the current size of the company, and result in lost orders, incorrect invoicing, and fulfillment delays. From here it follows that the company should develop a computer network. The computer network will be effective as it allows improving studio operations, improving franchise record keeping and marketing, tracking sales leads, creating financial statements, tracking inventory and automatically setting reorder points, better managing employees and inventory in studios, sharing information between the employees, interacting with each other (or the customers) easily, via teleconference, IP phone, and e-mail, to mention a few.
The Essay on The Bead Bar Systems Development Plan 2
... 6 studios, and Bead Bar on Board.In order to enhance the companys efficiency, the company needs to restructure its current network system, ... the bus computer network) requirements that were identified in the analysis phase, will be met; The recommendations are to consider ... the possibility of implementation of a bus network, a web-server, and ...
Recommendation Overview Taking into account the companys needs, the recommendations will be as follows. The IT network should connect all locations, as connectivity will allow easier and faster exchange the information and ideas with franchisees. The best model of the computer network will provide remote access to corporate network and connect all locations. It will be conductive to minimization of costs and enhancing data collection and communication with all locations; The Bead Bar will also need a possibility to use workflow systems to reduce paperwork, require electronic sales data and marketing materials, and use of electronic forms instead of previously used paper forms. From here it follows that The Bead Bar will require bus network topology, as it is the most widely used in business due to its simplicity and inexpensiveness. The bus network architecture is as shown on figure 5.5a (Malaga, 2005).
Network Topology As it was already noticed, bus network topology (also called a daisy-chain topology) implies each computer to be directly connected on a main communication line, called a bus (Bus network).
Bus network topology is the simplest network topology, where all devices are connected to a common central cable. It is widely used in businesses, as it is inexpensive and can be easily expanded if necessary. However, it has some disadvantages, as in case the cable fails, the entire network will shut down. There is a controller on the one hand, and a terminator on the other one. The computer that wants to exchange data or to talk to the main computer awaits its turn to get an access to the transmission line. Bus Network Architecture It is important to understand the fundamentals of bus network architecture, as network architecture determines how network functions at a logical level.
The Essay on Computer Architecture 2
Computer architecture covers the design of system software, such as the operating system (the program that controls the computer), as well as referring to the combination of hardware and basic software that links the machines on a computer network. Computer architecture refers to an entire structure and to the details needed to make it functional. Thus, computer architecture covers computer ...
Bus architecture presents a set of connections between the functional units in the computer (Fiber Optic Network Topologies for ITS and Other Systems).
As the name implies, buses occur within the CPU (central processing unit), and connect CPU to external memory and peripheral devices. The bus width usually defines the size in bits of the largest data unit that may be carried by the bus. The number of data units transmitted per second, and the width of the bus determine a computers performance. Although a true bus network is passive (as the computers listen for a signal, being not responsible for the signal transmission), some active architectures may also be called bus architectures, as their logical functions are the same as a passive bus (i.e. switcher Ethernet is a logical bus network).
It should be also said that almost all wireless networks are passive bus networks, where radio propagation serves as a shared passive medium. Network Advantages and Drawbacks Bus network topology has both advantages and drawbacks. First of all, as it was already mentioned, bus networks are the simplest ones (Network Topologies), as bus network is the simplest way to connect multiple computers.
They are inexpensive, as they require less cable length compared to a star topology. Bus networks are perfect for small networks that require no high speed. At the same time, bus networks have specific drawbacks. For example, bus networks often have problems, when two clients in the network desire to transmit data at the same time on the same bus. In order to solve this problem, bus networks are usually equipped by a scheme of collision handling or collision avoidance (using carrier sense multiple access, or having a bus master in order to control access to the shared bus device).
Bus networks have limited number of stations and limited cable length.
The maintenance cost for a bus networks may be higher compared to the other networks in the long run. The performance decreases proportionally to additional computers being added to the network (or due to heavy traffic).
The Essay on Local Area Networks Lan Lans Computer
LANs: Local Area Networks Local Area Networks also called LANs have been a major player in industrialization of computers. In the past 20 or so years the worlds industry has be invaded with new computer technology. It has made such an impact on the way we do business that it has become essential with an ever-growing need for improvement. LANs give an employer the ability to share information ...
Finally, the amount of data flowing may cause the network to slow down. Conclusion Taking into consideration the information about bus network topology and architecture, the conclusion is that bus network is the best solution for The Bead Bar. Despite some drawbacks (which are not very important for a small- or mid-sized company like The Bead Bar), bus network will be very effective, as it is the most simple and inexpensive network that will allow the company to enhance its productivity and to achieve all its objectives, such as improving operations, record keeping, marketing, tracking sales, and sharing information and interacting with the customers and employees easily. References Bus network. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 10, 2007, from http://www.amazines.com/Bus_network_related.html Fiber Optic Network Topologies for ITS and Other Systems. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 10, 2007, from http://www.fiber-optics.info/articles/its-networks .htm Malaga, R. (2005).
Information systems technology. Prentice Hall. Pearson Education. Network Topologies. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 10, 2007, from http://compnetworking.about.com/od/networkdesign/a /topologies.htm.
