NETWORKS & STANDALONE COMPUTERS

NETWORKS & STANDALONE COMPUTERS

1. NETWORKS

   • Advantages
     • the ability to share files
       • Easier to back up files
     • the ability to share hardware
     • the ability to share software
     • Improved security
     • Lower software costs
   • Disadvantages
     • Costly to set up
     • Experties are needed to run the network
     • If server goes down then so do all clients connected
   • LAN (local area network)
     • this is confined to a single building or site
     • the organisation actually owns the equipment needed to connect the terminals
   • WAN (wide area network)
     • hardware spread over multiple buildings or sites
     • third party telecommunications hardware and techniques are used. these are usually rented from companies such as BT

2. STANDALONE COMPUTERS

   • Advantages
     • cheaper hardware as no wires or network cards needed
     • cheaper softare
     • less IT knowledge needed
     • fewer virus problems
   • Disadvantages
     • files cant be transferred easily through a network
     • harder to install software as it must be done for each client individualy
     • backing up files must be done manually by users. this may lead to some files being lost