Hardware and Network issues in e-commerce
Hardware and Network issues in e-commerce Introduction This review will discuss the issues and outline some future developments related to the three most prominent forms of network technology, broadband, m-commerce and wireless broadband. What is broadband? A good definition of broadband is: "Broadband refers to any communication technology that permits clients to play streaming video and audio files at acceptable speeds - generally anything above 100 Kbps" (Laudon and Traver, 2002). Typically, broadband is characterised by very high upload and download speeds and most interestingly it is an 'always-on' technology as opposed to narrowband where the user has to 'dial-up' to the server every time they begin a new session on the internet, whereas with broadband the user simply has to click on the internet icon on their desktop and they are instantly linked to home page of their choice. Types of broadband There are many types of broadband access available to the internet user. The most commonly used type of broadband connections made by the general consumer is via cable modem and DSL connections. Cable Modem is usually used by consumers who cannot get DSL connections in their area or who live in a cabled area and is characterised as a shared network service. Internet connection is 'piggybacked' on the television signal received by consumers who have cable television. It
The Internet is an important part of our everyday lives however it is not perfect. There are many merits and pitfalls of having easy access to the vast amounts of media and information provided on the Internet.
The Internet has evolved over time. It all began in 1969 as ARPANET. ARPANET was a project of the United States Department of Defense to create a 'nuclear-proof' computer network. This meaning that the network would continue to function even if a part of the network was destroyed. Today, the Internet extends around the globe and includes numerous networks and computers connecting millions of people from all around the world. ( What is the Internet? ;2001) The Internet is a collection of computer networks that use a common software standard to exchange data with each other. Using satellite links and telephone wires, Internet users can share information in different ways. The Internet allows users to easily connect through local computers, exchange e-mails with colleagues, friends and family around the world, post information for others to see, connect with friends and family through social networking sites such as 'Facebook' and 'Myspace', research information and online banking, to name just a few. (What is the Internet?; 2001) The Internet is an important part of our everyday lives however it is not perfect. There are many merits and pitfalls of having easy access to the vast amounts of media and information provided on the Internet. The Internet provides a quick, easy and simple method of searching for information. The Internet has become one large cyber library with
