There are a number of known architectural patterns for TCP/IP server design. I present a survey of design choices based on some of the most common of these patterns. I have demonstrated, with working code samples, that most of these architectural patterns are readily portable between UNIX and Windows NT platforms without necessarily incurring significant performance penalties. / Computing / M. Sc. (Computer Science)

This study examined how online social networking (OSN) leads to increased communication and collaboration across inter-firm boundaries. This online social networking behaviour represents significant opportunities to firms in the form of improved problem-solving, increased collaborative innovation and enhanced engagement with stakeholders. There are also risks inherent in the widespread use of OSNs, such as the loss of control over information flows to individuals outside the organization, potential damage to the reputation of brands and organizations, and loss of productivity due to excessive usage of OSNs during work hours. In particular, this study sought to test four research propositions, specifically, that usage of one particular OSN, LinkedIn (LI), results in: 1) an increased number of inter-firm connections; 2) an improved ability to communicate across inter-firm boundaries; 3) greater access to problem solving or innovation collaborators; 4) increased organizational problem solving or innovation ability. The study methodology involved both quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative portion of the study involved survey research among over 500 LinkedIn (LI) users to determine changes they reported in various dimensions related to inter-firm relationship-forming, information-sharing and collaborative problem solving since using LI. The sampling approach was purposive and the sample frame consisted of the researcher’s own extended LI network, and an effort was also made to make the survey link available to all LI members through public posting in the site’s Q&A section. Though no individual or group was systematically excluded from the opportunity to take the survey, some limitations are inherent in the approach taken. The survey respondents were self-selecting, which makes it difficult to confirm that the sample is reflective of all LI users. Also, the use of the researcher’s own LI network as a key source of survey respondents may have biased the study toward more open networkers, since the researcher’s network was built up over time by practicing open networking behaviours. As a result, the sample may tend to under-represent more closed or restrictive networkers. Notwithstanding these limitations, no one particular group of respondents was excluded from the opportunity to take the survey, and the resulting data suggests that there were significant numbers of respondents who considered themselves closed networkers. Also, the spread of respondents by geographic area, occupation and age was found to resemble published statistics from LI on its user base, so it appears that the data is reasonably reflective of the LI user base, though this would be difficult to verify or measure. Qualitative research was also undertaken among senior managers at companies that have embraced the use of OSNs by staff to determine their experiences along similar dimensions. The findings from the quantitative survey showed that users of LI have experienced an increased number of social connections with individuals as a result of using LI, and that these connections are often with people in other organizations, including competitors and customers. Survey respondents also reported that they have been able to draw upon their LI networks in order to solve problems and be more innovative in their work. Analysis of the qualitative research yielded a list of suggested best practices that could be adopted by firms wishing to harness the collaborative power of OSNs. These suggested best practices have been grouped under the areas of strategy, listening, communication, guidelines, training, diffusion and measurement. Some suggested areas for future research included: the role of performance measurement and reward systems in managing OSN usage behaviour; the organizational risks of centralized versus decentralized control of messaging via OSNs; the role of training in the effective deployment of OSNs in an organizational context; and the organizational risk of increased connectedness with competitors resulting from OSN relationships. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Library and Information Studies)-Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. viii, 71 leaves / The aim of the study was to investigate management and maintenance procedures that were used by other sites and how these could be used as a basis for formulating management and maintenance procedures for the SALO subject directory.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Technology Degree in Information Technology, Durban University of Technology Durban, South Africa, 2013. / This study reports on the development of a model for the improvement of understanding the extent of Enterprise Resource Planning system usage at the Durban University of Technology. Previous research revealed that university ERP systems are not fully utilized by end-users, resulting in low usage and institutional inefficiencies. Consequently this leads to stakeholders (particularly students and government) pressurizing universities to improve their efficiency and performance. To address the problem, this study developed a research model by adapting the TAM2 theoretical model with additional IT usage factors of training, management support, perceived behavioural control and technical support. A dataset of 312 full time academics was generated by a survey method. Partial Least Square (PLS) technique was used to determine the predictive power of the developed research model which was then compared to other adoption and usage models to determine its superiority. The model was empirically tested and the findings demonstrated an improvement on the model predictive power as a result of the additional IT usage factors and the interaction effect of gender, age and experience. The predictive power comparison shows that the research model better explained 23% of the variability in ERP system usage compared to the original TAM2 model of 3.6% and the original TPB model of 5.2%. With the exception of management support, the additional IT usage factors of training, technical support and perceived behavioural control were found to have a significant relationship with ERP system usage. The test of gender, experience and age interaction effect revealed that gender and experience moderated the relationship between the independent factors of technical support and management support on the dependent factor of ERP system usage. In addition gender moderated the effect of perceived behavioural control on ERP system usage but not the effect of training which was however moderated by experience. Age did not moderate the relationship between the additional IT usage factors and ERP system usage. Consequently, the Durban University of Technology will have to address these additional IT usage factors and gender and experience interaction effect more precisely in its attempt to improve ERP system usage.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: lP networks offer scalability and flexibility for rapid deployment of value added lP services. However, with the increased demand and explosive growth of the Internet, carriers require a network infrastructure that is dependable, predictable, and offers consistent network performance. This thesis examines the functionality, performance and implementation aspects of the MPLS mechanisms to minimize the expected packet delay in MPLS networks. Optimal path selection and the assignment of bandwidth to those paths for minimizing the average packet delay are investigated. We present an efficient flow deviation algorithm (EFDA) which assigns a small amount of flow from a set of routes connecting each OD pair to the shortest path connecting the OD pair in the network. The flow is assigned in such a way that the network average packet delay is minimized. Bellman's algorithm is used to find the shortest routes between all OD pairs. The thesis studies the problem of determining the routes between an OD pair and assigning capacities to those routes. The EFDA algorithm iteratively determines the global minimum of the objective function. We also use the optimal flows to compute the optimal link capacities in both single and multirate networks. The algorithm has been applied to several examples and to different models of networks. The results are used to evaluate the performance of the EFDA algorithm and compare the optimal solutions obtained with different starting topologies and different techniques. They all fall within a close cost-performance range. They are all within the same range from the optimal solution as well. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: lP-netwerke voorsien die skaleerbaarheid en buigsaamheid vir die vinnige ontplooing van toegevoegde-waarde lP-dienste. Die vergrote aanvraag en eksplosiewe uitbreiding van die Internet benodig betroubare, voorspelbare en bestendige netwerkprestasie. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die funksionaliteit, prestasie en implementering van die MPLS(multiprotokoletiketskakel)- meganismes om die verwagte pakketvertraging te minimeer. Ons bespreek 'n doeltreffende algoritme vir vloei-afwyking (EFDA) wat 'n klein hoeveelheid vloei toewys uit die versameling van roetes wat elke OT(oorsprong-teiken)- paar verbind aan die kortste pad wat die OT-paar koppel. Die vloei word toegewys sodanig dat die netwerk se gemiddelde pakketvertraging geminimeer word. Bellman se algoritme word gebruik om die kortste roetes tussen alle OT-pare te bepaal. Die tesis bespreek die probleem van die bepaling van roetes tussen 'n OT-paar en die toewysing van kapasiteite aan sulke roetes. Die EFDA-algoritme bepaal die globale minimum iteratief. Ons gebruik ook optimale vloeie vir die berekening van die optimale skakelkapasiteite in beide enkel- en multikoers netwerke. Die algoritme is toegepas op verskeie voorbeelde en op verskillende netwerkmodelle. Die skakelkapasiteite word aangewend om die prestasie van die EFDAalgoritme te evalueer en dit te vergelyk met die optimale oplossings verkry met verskillende aanvangstopologieë en tegnieke. Die resultate val binne klein koste-prestasie perke wat ook na aan die optimale oplossing lê.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The distributed control system network involves analog data acquisition nodes interconnected through CAN and USB protocol interfaces to form a network. The network is designed to be generically applicable to various control problems. This network of controllers was specifically utilised on a scaled-down electrostatic roll separator plant used in the mineral processing industry. A SISO and a MIMO regulator was designed to demonstrate the regulation of plant parameters. The MIMO regulator was employed in a scheme that optimises the plant yield automatically. Analog data acquisition nodes were designed and built especially for the purposes of this project. These nodes were installed on the electrostatic roll separator plant. PC based application software was written so that plant ID experiments could be performed. SISO and MIMO regulators along with a yield optimising scheme was designed and implemented in the application software. Both SISO and MIMO regulators successfully regulated plant outputs. The nonconducting mineral product grade was regulated by the SISO regulator. The non-conducting mineral product grade and conductor mineral mass flow was regulated by the MIMO regulator. The yield optimiser successfully employed the MIMO regulator to optimise the plant yield automatically.

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Computer Science / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy