networks

networks

1. advantages

   • hardware can be share. for example a printer on a network can be used by all the computers connected to that network so there is no need to buy a seperate printer for each computer.
   • software ca be shared a computer progrm may be installed on one com,puter on a network, but can be run on any of the other computers. this is generaly not a good idea because the speed of running would be slowed down as many computers try to access the same software at the same time
   • data can be shared. a database can be stored on one of the networked computers but can be accessed by a user on another computer. the computer where the database is stored is usually reffered to as the file server. it is possible for several users to access the database at the same time. a number of office workers may wish to work on the same file.
   • networked computers can communicate. messages or files can be speedily sent from one networked computer to another. users can send messages, data files or emails to each otherwhether the network is a LAN in a office or a global WAN.
   • the usage of computers on a network can be controlled by a network manager, who ca allocate permissions to users to restict their actions or limit the amount of storage space they can use.
   • if data files accessed by users on a network are stored in a file server, then it is easier to mkae scheduled back-ups than if the files are stored on several different computers.

2. disadvantages

   • the cost of cabling and setting up can be high.
   • hackers may gain unauthorised access to files saved onto a network server and use them for malicious purposes
   • computers on a network are liable to attacks by viruses if files are being sent between the computers. a virus can spread from one computer to another very quickly and precautions need to be taken to prevent this
   • sometimes a ntwork failos to work properly and this can cause havoc-work which relies on shared data, hardware and software cannot continue . large networks can be very complex and need to be maintained by skilled IT staff.

3. types of network

   • peer-to-peer network
     • in a peer to peer network all the computers are equal in the status; no computer is more important than any other. the computers on a peer to peer network probably have similar specifications and are such as you might find in an office environment.
   • client-server network
     • a client-server network