Discussion 1

• Compare the direction of current and past trends in both communication and networking and explain how these changes have impacted business.

• Analyze why the burden on managers is greater today than in previous years when it comes to using technology efficiently. Give two examples that defend this claim.

• Identify an acceptable system response time for interactive applications. Compare how this response time relates to an acceptable response time for Websites.

• Suggest two real-world examples of user and system response times that demonstrate their importance and significance.

Discussion 2: Mainframes.

Please respond to the following:

• Take a position on the following statement, "Mainframe computers are still needed even though personal computers and workstations have increased in capabilities." Defend your position by providing at least one example to support your position.

• Analyze the differences between distributed data processing and centralized data processing. Provide an example of each. Then compare each to the processing used in cloud computing.

Discussion 3: Circuit Switching and Packet Switching.

Please respond to the following:

• Cite two examples of a circuit switch and packet switch environment. Base one example on a circuit switch and the other on a packet switch. Describe the trade-off between the two technologies and the reason why packet switching is more appropriate for the Internet.

• Assuming your daily routine stayed the same, speculate the problems you would have if the Internet didn't exist. Speculate the problems of a familiar organization given the same scenario.

Discussion 4: IPv6 Adoption.

Please respond to the following:

• Take a position on the idea of IPv6 being hailed as the next generation of the Internet. Support your response with evidence or examples.

• Critique the adoption and deployment of IPv6, and determine the security and networking issues associated with this process.

Discussion 5: Fat Clients and Servers.

Please respond to the following:

• Provide a scenario in which the use of fat servers would be preferred over the use of fat clients. Describe why fat servers, rather than fat clients, should be used in your scenario.

• Compare the pros and cons of Intranets to those of the Internet from an organizational perspective. Suggest one way to integrate the two and the benefits this may bring.