Protocol

In information technology, a protocol is the special set of rules that end points in a telecommunication connection use when they communicate. Protocols specify interactions between the communicating entities. Protocols exist at several levels in a telecommunication connection. For example, there are protocols for the data interchange at the hardware device level and protocols for data interchange at the application program level. In the standard model known as Open Systems Interconnection (OSI), there are one or more protocols at each layer in the telecommunication exchange that both ends of the exchange must recognize and observe. Protocols are often described in an industry or international standard. The TCP/IP Internet protocols, a common example, consist of: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which uses a set of rules to exchange messages with other Internet points at the information packet level Internet Protocol (IP), which uses a set of rules to send and receive messages at the Internet address level

Additional protocols that include the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP), each with defined sets of rules to use with corresponding programs elsewhere on the Internet There are many other Internet protocols, such as the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). The word protocol comes from the Greek protocollon, meaning a leaf of paper glued to a manuscript volume that describes the contents. >>>>>>>>An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. The protocol determines the following: the type of error checking to be used data compression method, if any how the sending device will indicate that it has finished sending a message how the receiving device will indicate that it has received a message

There are a variety of standard protocols from which programmerscan choose. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages; for example, some are simpler than others, some are more reliable, and some are faster. From a user's point of view, the only interesting aspect about protocols is that your computer or device must support the right ones if you want to communicate with other computers. The protocol can be implemented either in hardware or in software. >>>>>>>.Ethernet cards are PCI cards that fit in an available PCI slot inside a desktop computer. For smaller computers such as laptops, the Ethernet card may be a smaller card hardwired to the motherboard. There are also PCMCIA Ethernet cards which fit into available slots on laptop computers that lack an internal Ethernet card. The Ethernet card allows the computer to connect to a high speed Internet connection by connecting an Ethernet cable from the card to a cable modem, DSL modem, or a router connected to a network.

Function Typically, the Ethernet cable is connected from the card to a cable or DSL modem that has an Ethernet port. Once this connection is made, the computer can access the high speed Internet through the modem. Sometimes an Ethernet card is used to connect the computer to a larger network that is not the internet connection itself. This Local Area Network (or LAN) allows multiple computers to connect their Ethernet connection to routers that allow them to share Internet access or share common devices such as printers or scanners. Types The most common type is the internal PCI Ethernet card. This card is connected to a PCI slot on a computer's motherboard with access to the Ethernet cable ports generally located in the rear of the computer. This type of card is similar to video and sound cards often installed via PCI slots in a computer. A built-in Ethernet card is usually just a Ethernet port hardwired to the motherboard. Some desktop computers come with these built in, but they are most common on laptop computers where space is an issue. A PCMCIA card is a thin external card inserted in an available CardBus slot on some laptop computers. Another type of Ethernet card is a small box that connects via USB connection. It works in a similar fashion to the PCMCIA card, but connects instead to USB. Benefits The widespread availability of Ethernet cards has allowed millions of users to switch from dial up Internet services to high speed Internet services such as cable Internet. Ethernet cards allow users to connect to the Internet with speeds far faster than traditional internet connections that relied on telephone lines and dial up modems. They also allow users to connect multiple computers to a single Internet connection through a router, as well as allow multiple computers to connect to shared devices such as printers, faxes and scanners. Misconceptions Ethernet cards do not allow a computer to connect directly to a wireless (WiFi) Internet connection or network. A separate card known as a wireless card is needed to connect to wireless networks. However an Ethernet card can be connected via an Ethernet cable to a wireless router, allowing the computer to access the internet while other computers access the Internet through WiFi. The connection is still established through a wired connection, but this connection allows non-WiFi enabled computers to still get access to the Internet or network.

EDI
Short for Electronic Data Interchange, the transfer of data between different companies using networks, such as VANs or the Internet. As more and more companies get connected to the Internet, EDI is becoming increasingly important as an easy mechanism for companies to buy, sell, and trade information. ANSI has approved a set of EDI standards known as the X12 standards. >>>>>EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is a standard format for exchanging business data. The standard is ANSI X12 and it was developed by the Data Interchange Standards Association. ANSI X12 is either closely coordinated with or is being merged with an international standard, EDIFACT. An EDI message contains a string of data elements, each of which represents a singular fact, such as a price, product model number, and so forth, separated by delimiter. The entire string is called a data segment. One or more data segments framed by a header and trailer form a transaction set, which is the EDI unit of transmission (equivalent to a

message). A transaction set often consists of what would usually be contained in a typical business document or form. The parties who exchange EDI transmissions are referred to as trading partners. EDI messages can be encrypted. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>What is EDI? Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is widely-used technology for the automated exchange of documents between dissimilar applications. It allows value chain partners to exchange purchase orders, invoices, advance ship notices, and other business documents directly from one business system to the other, without human intervention. Proven advantages are fewer errors, lower administrative costs, and faster order-to-cash cycles. >>>>>>>>Online Banking vs e-Banking The advent of internet has not been beneficial for just getting loads of information; it has helped enormously in making life easier in all walks of life. One such industry that has benefited enormously is banking. Internet banking has made lives easier for not only banks; it has made possible for customers to access their bank accounts without having to go physically to their banks. Internet banking is also referred to as online banking or e-banking. A person with a PC and internet connection can log onto his bank account and make payments or conduct other financial transactions easily and quickly thus saving a lot of time and money. For customers, online banking and e-banking have brought a lot of convenience in their wake but for banks, they are much more than that. Banks switching to online banking have experienced reduction in operational costs. Earlier customers had to come physically even to know their account balances and certainly every time to withdraw money from their accounts. Even when they had to make payments to other accounts from their saving or current account, they had to come to the bank to deposit Cheques. All this was done by personnel at the bank which unnecessarily resulted in wastage of time and manpower. But the use of online banking and e-banking has obliterated the need of personally visiting the bank for such purposes. E-banking is a broader concept than online banking which is when a person has to log on to his bank account for financial transactions. The use of Automated Teller machines (ATMs) is one example where a person can access his bank account by swapping his debit or ATM card in a machine and entering the PIN allotted to him by the bank. Ebanking is sometimes also referred to as Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) where financial transactions are possible even without logging on to internet. The use of swap machine where you make payments to a merchant for products using your ATM, debit or credit card is another instance of e-banking where the information of your purchase reaches your ban electronically and it debits your account by the amount that you have used from your account for making purchases. Though the use of technology in online banking and e-banking has been made secure for all purposes, there are instances of forgery and hacking where people with malicious intentions crack the password and code of another persons account and harm him financially. This is why online banking and e-banking must be used with caution by following all the rules and guidelines issued by the bank for ones own safety. In brief: Online Banking vs e-Banking Online banking and e-banking are modern ways to conduct banking transactions sitting in the comfort of ones own hoe without going to the bank physically. E-banking is broader in spectrum than online banking in the sense that it encompasses the use of ATM cards for withdrawal of money and making payments to merchants even without going online.