Networking computers

Networking computers

1. Sharing hardware peripherals

   • Computers can be joined together to form a network and share a single computer.
     • The money saved by doing this can be spent on buying a high quality printer that is being used much more of the time.

2. Sharing files

   • Networks allow users to share files with other users. In schools, this is usually a folder where teachers put revision resources that students can then copy to their own area.
     • There are usually access rights that prevent students from modifying files saved on the network. However, companies may allow employees to modify network files so that they are able to work collaboratively on projects.

3. A computer that isn't connected to a network is known as a stand-alone

   • These are connected to their own printer and work well if only one person is likely to be using them.
     • In a school or office it would not be cost effective to allow every computer to have its own printer which wouldn't be used for the majority of the time.

4. Log on to any workstation

   • At home, when work is saved, it is usually saved onto the hard disk of the computer being worked on.
     • However, with a network, files can be accessed from any workstation using a username and password.
     • Files on network aren't stored on the computer's hard disk, they are stored on the server.
       • This means that if a single client (work station) failed, the files would be safe on the server.
         • However, if the central server failed, unless the data was backed up it would be lost forever.

5. Central backups

   • Computer networks make backups an easy task by allowing everything to be backed up centrally from the file server each evening after everyone has gone home.

6. http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2_ict_new/ocr/AS_G061/317_role_impact_ict/networks/miniweb/pg3.htm