Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Apple's Network

Apple uses a variety of networks such as LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi to keep their retail stores in constant communication. The software that is used in the network is developed by Apple called Concierge. Accessible by employees from anywhere at concierge-admin.apple.com. The most commonly communication software used is what they call retailme.apple.com it keeps employees informed of what is new in stores and also there are video tutorials for training there. Their retail stores connect to their internet via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. The speed that is shared between a few stores is T1. Voice over IP is an option and it is used when necessary to communicate with employees in different parts of the country, sometimes video is also used. The four principles of security are met, since Apple keeps all information confidential and the authenticity of the user is revised in the beginning of a session. The authenticity provides an pi address to a database to keep track of who is searching what at any given time. Integrity is kept by giving only privileged users the right to manipulate certain information. Availability is kept by a series of maintenance of the servers and the network software.