MaintenanceCircleTeam Page 1 November 25, 2007

maintenance
NEWSLETTER FOR MAINTENANCE COMMUNITY
c ircle
Word for the day: Internet

Although internet does not directly influence working of any machines, it has made such a profound impact on our
methods for gathering information & communicating that we took the liberty of explaining in brief about the
technological wonder of this century. Manufacturing technology took more than 200 years to develop and reach
today’s state of advancement. But internet has outgrown all by around 1000 times within 20 years of its presence. Let
us discuss in brief about what internet means and how it can help us to perform our work better.

Internet broadly stands for “International Network,” which is nothing but a “network of networks.” So let us
understand what a network is and how it is formed. A network is a structure formed by more than one computer
connected together by cables and other communication components. Refer to figure 1 for a typical representation of
network of computers. When more than one computer is linked together within a smaller area it is called Local Area
Network – LAN as it is popularly known – which is commonly found within an organization or a complex. When this
area increases, the network is called Wide Area Network – WAN as it is popularly known – and is spread across the
world. Internet is the most advanced and bigger form of such a computer networking concept.
A

TERMINAL - 2

NETWORK ROUTER
/ REPEATER
TERMINAL - 1

MAIN SERVER

TERMINAL - 3
Network Cables – Multi-
core type (CAT-5)
Terminal is nothing but a normal
computer with all its accessories.
From networking point of view,
it is usually called terminals
which are broadly classified as MODEM &
Dumb & Smart types. TELEPHONE
SYSTEM

Figure-1 (Network-1) OUTSIDE COMPUTER

Let us understand the structure of networking from figure-1, which falls under LAN category. Conventionally like an
organizational hierarchy, there is always a central unit called “Server” which will store all the common and specific
information. This server sometimes is also referred as master or host. Each of the terminal-x is connected to the server
thru a network router or repeater. The job of this router is to control all terminals on certain predefined “priority” and
exchange the information. The connections are done either using hardwired cables (called network or multi-core
cables, wireless LAN cards and many methods) or telephone modem systems and have to monitored regularly. Each
person – called user or “client” – uses one of the terminals and accesses the main server. Each “client” is given a user
ID and password which will decide the type of information he or she can access on the main server. It is possible to
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have more than one server within a given network. For instance, one of the terminals itself can be configured as a
server when the need arises. Now let us add one more terminal computer located “outside” the building – for example,
a corporate office located inside the city – which also needs to access the main server which is located quite far away.
In this case, typically the terminal makes use of existing telephone line and communicates with the server. So a
MODEM – short form of MOdulation & DEModulation – is installed in the system, which converts digital signals to
analog and vice-versa. In the above figure, note that the outside computer is directly connected to server which means
it has the “highest authority” to directly access any information. In a typical organization, it can belong to the owner or
Managing Director. Such a direct priority connection is loosely referred to as “hotline connection.” Since such a
network contains many hardware and software components, one person is authorized to look after all the tasks and he
or she is referred to as “Network Administrator.”

When we combine thousands, millions of such a small networks across the entire world sharing lot of information, it
transforms into an Internet. Refer figure 2 for reference which shown how networks are connected infinitely together.

Network-1
Network-2

Network- 85
Network-4

Network-
10000

Network-50 Network-n

Networks across the World

The connections are done using many of the following components: Hard wired cables, Satellites, under the ocean
optic fiber cables, wireless networks, telephone systems. Compared to conventional communication systems that
existed during 70s and 80s, let us see how internet helps us complete a task much faster. Here is a small scenario
taken from maintenance department for understanding purpose. The task is to place an order for an engine component
which is needed very urgently. The engine is located in Bangalore, India and it was manufactured in Washington,
USA.

Step 1 – The utility technician locates part number from manual and e-mails the details to his manager. (Here
technician uses a local terminal with a specific user ID & password)

Step 2 – Manager receives the e-mail on another terminal and notes down the details. He logs on to the internet and
finds the “web site” (will be explained in future articles) of engine manufacturer. Thru the website, he sends the details
of part required to their spares department.

(Steps 1 and 2 are done within an organization and hence uses network cables and local router for communication. It is
a part of LAN except communicating with the manufacturer which is a part of internet)

Step 3 – The engine manufacturer receives the mail within a very short time and sends back the quotation by return e-
mail.
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(The message from manager’s terminal passes thru local telephone line and either thru under water optic fiber or
satellite system and reaches the manufacturer’s terminal which is located more than 10000 kilometers away within a
very short time, 3 to 5 minutes. Similarly, the quotation from engine manufacturer is downloaded on manager’s
computer. This is the part of Internet)

Step 4 – Once the quotation is received, the manager must obtain approval from his superior who is sitting at the
corporate office located in city. They exchange e-mails and approval is obtained.

Step 5 – Engine manufacturer mentions that money be paid in advance before shipping the part. So manager forwards
the details to accounts department. They instruct their corporate bank thru e-mail about the payment details.

(Steps 4 and 5 are happening within the network system of Bangalore and hence may not be using satellite network,
but will be using local telephone and optic fiber network)

Step 6 – The corporate bank authorizes electronic transfer of money thru their internet account to the engine
manufacturer’s account.

(Step 6 is an electronic transaction taking place using internet between two banks, one located in Bangalore, India
and other in Washington, USA)

Step 7 – Engine manufacturer confirms receipt of electronic payment and starts processing the order. Since this is an
emergency situation, they instruct their Singapore office thru e-mail to ship the part immediately by flight.

Step 8 – Singapore office advices their courier partner immediately to pick up the part. A tracking number is
assigned to the consignment and the details are e-mailed to manager. The manager now logs onto internet and finds
the website of the courier company and enters the tracking number to find its current status. The manager is happy that
material has reached Bangalore Airport’s customs department and awaiting clearance.

(Steps 7 & 8 are happening electronically on internet and hence does not involve any paper or physical work except
for shipping of material)

Step 9 – Using their centralized networking system, the Bangalore Customs finds out that the engine part is genuinely
imported for its purpose and hence clears them immediately. This information is “updated” on Indian customs
“website.”

Step 10 – Now the same courier company’s local representative picks up the material and delivers it to Manager, who
in turn hands it over to utility technician. The part is replaced and engine starts running again.

Step 11 – The transaction is closed and hence all the information pertaining to this particular transaction is kept in
background on all computers for future references.

This whole process when ideally executed has taken 3 working days and company has saved a lot of downtime,
money and production loss and all this was made possible by internet.

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This document contains information for reference only. We assume no responsibility for its implication.