DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

A knowledge-based system is an application software that has some knowledge or expertise about a specific, narrow domain, and is implemented such that the knowledge base (KB) and the control architecture are separate. It is also the process of capturing, developing, sharing, and effectively using organizational knowledge, it refers to a multi-disciplinary approach to achieving organizational objectives by making the best use of knowledge. The knowledge management system is the framework of an integration of organizational elements in organizational culture, organizational information technology infrastructure and the organization’s store of individual and collective experiences. Members can effectively accomplish organizational goals through knowledge management processes and procedures. A firm that effectively manages knowledge is likely to be considered a learning organization (Mellander, 2001). Knowledge dissemination and responsiveness to knowledge are cited repeatedly as the most effective way to a competitive advantage while the need for effective managing of knowledge is accepted.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Knowledge-based systems (KBSs) implement the heuristic human reasoning through specific techniques, procedures and mechanisms, in order to solve problems that do not have a traditional algorithmic solution. Research on this topic is being done in numerous organisations all over the world, from higher education laboratories to research institutes and software development organizations. During the 80s and especially in the 90s, a huge number of projects were developed and implemented in this field, and there was an important effort to streamline the development of KBSs by creating engineering methods and tools like Common-KADS and Protégé. But in the last ten years, this attention seemed to continually fade and KBSs almost disappeared from the scene, being mentioned less and less often.

The need to manage knowledge in organizations has increasingly become the key factor for success in the knowledge economy. Organizations around the globe are developing knowledge management (KM) projects and strategies to harvest knowledge and remain competitive and innovative. Much of the recent KM research effort has concentrated on finding effective ways of managing knowledge through social and managerial approaches. The argument is that because knowledge resides in humans, human centered techniques are necessary for its management.

Knowledge management efforts have a long history, including on-the-job discussions, formal apprenticeship, discussion forums, corporate libraries, professional training, and mentoring programs. With increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century, specific adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases, expert systems, knowledge repositories, group decision support systems, intranets, and computer-supported cooperative work have been introduced to further enhance such efforts. In 1999, the term personal knowledge management was introduced; it refers to the management of knowledge at the individual level.

In the enterprise, early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management dimensions of strategy, process, and measurement. Key lessons learned include people and the cultural norms which influence their behaviors are the most critical resources for successful knowledge creation, dissemination, and application; cognitive, social, and organizational learning processes are essential to the success of a knowledge management strategy; and measurement, benchmarking, and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change. In short, knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and organizations if they are purposeful, concrete, and action-orientated. Although the term knowledge management formally entered popular usage in the late 1980s (e.g., conferences in KM began appearing, books on KM were published, and the term began to be seen in business journals), philosophers, teachers, and writers have been making use of many of the same techniques for decades (Denning, 2002).

1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation revealed that computer hardware may fail, telephone line may fail and more likely, the computer software may have bugs that make the network stop working. A company that puts all its important data in line runs the risk to go out of business if that information is boss or incorrect. Furthermore, support the owners of a saved data based want only certain people to use it one way to limit use, is to give a password to those people alone, that will have access to it and before opening the data base, the computer will ask the user to enter a password. Password protection is not parted, though if someone finds out your password and use it, the computer will not know that such password is been used illegally by such person.

Finally, inability of the computer scientist to observe appropriate procedure in connection during installation poses treat to them, which however may lead to damage of the computer and cards.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to design and implement an Online Local Area Network (LAN) Knowledge-Based System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will:

1. Render assistance to the computer scientist during the installation and maintenance of a computer network;
2. Quick response to student’s complaints or challenges is guarantee;
3. Assist the students or staff makes better contribution;
4. Give instant feedback from user interaction; and
5. Enable students or staff link to various instant massages platform of knowledge management systems.

1.5 Significance of Study

The following are the significance of the proposed system which is stated as follows:

1. It will aid in creating a manageable, flexible and efficient information system.
2. It will enable students make their complaint and get instant feedback.
3. It will help reduces delay during the course of feedback.
4. It will enable the user login and out at their own time.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.6 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Design and Implementation of an Online Local Area Network (LAN) Knowledge-Based System. There are different kinds of computer network system, such as Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) etc. But this project is limited to only Local Area Network (LAN) and using about 100 workstations.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

1.8 Definition of Terms

Computer Network: This is the process whereby two or more computers are connected together so that they can communicate with each other at the same time share resources, files and other peripherals devices, like scanner and printer.

It a collection of computers (PCS) and other devices connected together with cable (Cats) and RJ45 plus. This allows than to communicate with each other and other to exchange, preserve and protect information, and it also make it easier to share expensive hardware/printer, scanner, and CDROM and software's.

Installation: Installation is the process whereby a device apparatus, or piece of machinery is fixed of fitted in a place to perform some specific functions.

Maintenance: This is the performance if present maintenance in the aid to prevent incipient hardware faults or to correct hardware faults that has occurred.