The need for the implementation of a spatial information management system in the
telecommunication sector has been the focus point of numerous studies (Halfawy et al.,
2002; Meehan, 2007; Turkstra et al., 2003; Barbu & Cumblidge, 2002; Cai, 2002; French &
Jia, 2007). Telecommunications infrastructure, including computer networks, can create
complex networks, which has to be managed and maintained. A spatial information
management tool is needed to store the spatial and non-spatial information at a central
point, while accurately displaying the data visually. Due to the fact that a large quantity of a
computer network’s infrastructure is located indoors, it is essential for the information
management tool to represent the network elements indoors as well as outdoors.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) offers numerous benefits such as a central
storage environment for all the spatial and non-spatial data, data validation measures,
analysis options as well as accurate visual representation of the spatial data. The aim of this
study is to determine to what extent GIS software can be implemented in order to manage,
analyze and visually illustrate an IT-network between buildings as well as inside of buildings
on a campus. In order to achieve this aim, the study will present a pilot data model
representing the computer network for a part of the Potchefstroom campus of the North
West University.
The data model will be able to perform various analysis methods on the feature attributes, as
well as the network. In order to accurately display the infrastructure inside a building on
multiple levels, the spatial features will be viewed in a three-dimensional environment. The
study concludes by describing to what extent a GIS implementation can be applied for a
computer network in terms of its data storage and management abilities; its visual
representation capabilities and analysis potential. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/11069 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Bester, Carl Benjamin |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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