Preview

PDF (Whole thesis) whole_ColemanDa...pdf | Download (16MB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License. | Preview

Abstract

Developments now taking place in computer hardware and broadband data
communications promise to provide users hundreds of miles apart with access to
the same equipment and data at comparable levels of performance. However,
before adopting such technology, both suppliers and potential customers in the
spatial data handling community require a clear understanding of potential network
usage and the performance, capacity and cost tradeoffs involved.
This research tests the hypothesis that broadband communication networks
possess the performance necessary for organisations to manage their geographic
information system (GIS) software and databases from a single location while
maintaining satisfactory response times to end-users. Approaches to determining
representative GIS operations and network usage patterns within an organisation
are proposed and tested under actual operating conditions. Controlled experiments
measuring GIS performance across high-speed metropolitan area networks are
then described, and the corresponding results are compared for different
organisational configurations, over varying distances and under different simulated
loading conditions.
Experimental results using Telecom Australia's 10 Mbit/sec FASTPAC service
indicate that satisfactory file transfer and GIS performance can usually be
maintained even over long distances. Specific Network File System (NFS)
characteristics which adversely affect response-time performance under certain
conditions are identified, and operational tradeoffs are assessed using a model of
the current FASTPAC tariff structure. Finally, the implications and applications of
broadband communications networks in the spatial data handling community are
discussed and possible extensions to the research are identified

Item Type:	Thesis - PhD
Authors/Creators:	Coleman, David J
Keywords:	Geographic information systems, Broadband communication systems
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1994 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tasmania, 1994. Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-227)
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page