Communication Networks A computer network is the infrastructure that allows two or more computers (call ed hosts) to communicate with

each other. The network achieves this by providing a set of rules for communication, called protocols, which should be observed by all participating hosts. The need for a protocol should be obvious: it allows differ ent computers from different vendors and with different operating characteristics to speak the same language . Communication networks based on serial data transmission are the platform of up-to-date automation systems. Whether this is office automation or automation of manufacturing or process plants, the task remains always the same, exchanging data between different devices or participants within a system. Communication networks provide a number of advantages over systems in which a point-to-point line enables only two participants to communicate with each other. Classification of communication networks Depending on the application, i.e. manufacturing, process, office or building automation, the communication tasks to be performed vary in complexity and are sometimes even contradictory. The use of only one communication network would therefore not yield optimum results. So the market offers very different networks and bus systems that are more or less tailored to a specific application. A quite general classification criterion is the distance over which communicatio n takes place. There are local networks, LANs (Local Area Networks), as well as widely distributed networks, WANs (Wide Area Networks) (Fig. 1). With LAN, emphasis is put on fast and powerful data exchange within a locally restricted area, whereas WAN must be able to transmit data on very different data media and over several thousand kilometers. Wireless network

Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and enterprise (business) installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between various equipment locations.[ 1] Wireless telecommunications networks are generally implemented and administer ed using a transmission system called radio waves. This implementation takes pla ce at the physical level (layer) of the network structure. Types of wireless connections Wireless PAN Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) interconnect devices within a relatively small area, that is generally within a person's reach. Wireless LAN A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices over a short dist ance using a wireless distribution method, usually providing a connection through an access point for Internet access. Wireless mesh network A wireless mesh network is a wireless network made up of radio nodes organized i n a mesh topology. Each node forwards messages on behalf of the other nodes Wireless MAN Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks are a type of wireless network that connects several wireless LANs. Wireless WAN Wireless wide area networks are wireless networks that typically cover large are as, such as between neighboring towns and cities, or city and suburb E-business Ebusiness is a term used to describe businesses run on the Internet, or utilizin g Internet technologies to improve the productivity or profitability of a business. In a more general sense, the term may be used to describe any form of electronic business that is to say, any business which utilizes a computer. This usage is somewhat archaic, however, and in most contexts ebusiness refers exclusively to Internet businesses. Electronic business Electronic business, commonly referred to as "eBusiness" or "e-business", or an internet business, may be defined as the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in support of all the activ ities of business. Commerce constitutes the exchange of products and services between businesses, groups and individuals and can be seen as one of the essential activities of any business. Electronic commerce focuses on the use of ICT to ena ble the external activities and relationships of the business with individuals, groups and other businesses Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce, eCommerce or e-comm, refers t o the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer network s. However, the term may refer to more than just

buying and selling products online. It also includes the entire online process o f developing, marketing, selling, delivering, servicing and paying for products and services. The amount of trade conducted el ectronically has grown extraordinarily with widespread Internet usage. The use of commerce is conducted in this way, spurrin g and drawing on innovations in electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), i nventory management systems, and automated data collection systems. Modern elect ronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web at least at one point in the transaction's life-cycle, although it may encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail, mobile devices and telephones as well.