What to Expect from Computer Networks

If you say computer networks, it's actually a group of computers that facilitate connectivity and sharing among the users. The computers and other hardware devices are connected through communication channels.

There are several benefits that you can get from using computer networks in the office or even at home. These include the following:

• Sharing of hardware. A computer network saves you from having to provide a printer, a fax machine, a modem, a scanner and other resources for each user in the office. Instead of preparing 20 units of these resources for all 20 computers, you can share them through the network. Yesterday I shared a Microsoft office product key, an Adobe Acrobat serial number, and a Microsoft Windows product key with a colleage. A printer, modem, and scanner can be used for all the computers instead.

• Sharing of files. A central server can save all your files so your employees can easily open, read or edit them as necessary. This makes for better delegation of work among the employees, with one mailing them, the other printing or faxing them. File sharing through networks provides better data storage.

• Internet sharing. You only need a lone broadband Internet connection for all your computers if you can use LAN. LAN allows everyone in the office to communicate with each other, research online, keep track of a project's progress, and maximize the use of the Internet.

• Low setup cost. Sharing the resources keeps you from having to invest in more hardware, which lowers your IT cost. When you can share files, this also reduces the need for more memory or file storage. Software can be installed on one server and shared among the connected computers, which reduces the cost of buying the software and the time necessary to install it for many computers.

• More storage capacity. A network consists of more than one computer, which significantly increases the network's storage capacity. Compared to the storage capacity of a single computer, an entire network can certainly accommodate more files.

• More flexibility. Users can access everything in the network if they operate any of the computers in it. This gives the users a chance to work wherever they feel comfortable. This can help increase the productivity of employees and minimize downtime because they can work on any computer if their first computer stops working.

• Security. The admin can determine who will open what file. For instance, he can allow Employee #1 to read and edit File A, while Employee #2 can only read the file. This gives the admin more control on the security of important files.

To address some of the weak spots of computer networks though, you have to take note of the following tips:

• Hackers can easily access data on the network, which would have required physical access if they are saved on a standalone computer. You can prevent this security breach though by using the latest network security software to protect important data.

• Viruses can affect all the computers in the network quite easily. Malware can also cripple the network if it affects the central server. Again, you have to make sure that you use the best anti-virus software there is.

• The network would be useless if the file server breaks down. However, you can prevent this from easily happening if you choose a powerful computer as your server.

Computer networks help businesses gain a lot by slashing the expenses for the Internet, software, hardware, and other resources. They also foster flexibility, increased productivity, and security for data as long as you have the right software protection for the entire network.