Advantages and disadvantages of networks
Advantages
- Sharing devices such as printers saves money.
- Site (softwareThe programs, applications and data in a computer system. Any parts of a computer system that aren't physical.) licences are likely to be cheaper than buying several standalone licences.
- Files can easily be shared between users.
- networkA group of interconnected computers/devices. users can communicate by emailElectronic mail. A method for sending messages and files to other people. and instant messengerAn application that allows users to send instant messages (text) to one another..
- Security is good - users cannot see other users' files unlike on stand-alone machines.
- dataValues, typically letters or numbers. is easy to backupA copy of important files that is kept separately in case the original files are lost or damaged. as all the data is stored on the file serverA networked computer that provides large amounts of shared storage, it can be accessed by workstations on the same network..
Disadvantages
- Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.
- Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network manager usually needs to be employed.
- If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible. Email might still work if it is on a separate server. The computers can still be used but are isolated.
- virusA small program written to cause harm to a computer. can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.
- There is a danger of hackingGaining unauthorised access to a computer., particularly with wide area networks. Security procedures are needed to prevent such abuse, eg a firewallAn application that prevents unauthorised connections to and from the Internet..