ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses information technology (IT) connectivity or networking and discusses the implications of net-working for IT application development and design. Most people understand that the telephone network consists of wire lines, radio relay towers, and communication satellites that connect devices such as telephones, FAX machines, and answering machines. Three basic modes exist for describing the direction of data transmission: simplex mode; half duplex mode; and full duplex mode. Commercial networks are operated by organizations that sell many networking features, for example, America Online and Usenet. Several hardware components are involved in networking. Intranets allow agencies with little networking expertise to develop networks because the Internet service provider manages the network and many standard internet tools can be used. The chapter presents a brief travel guide to cyber-space. Cyberspace is the nonphysical place where people meet and share resources using telecommunications.
