COMPUTER NETWORK

When computers were first developed, they were mainly intended for a person to work on their own machine. However, one day, a bright spark suddenly thought, "Wouldnt it be a good idea to link two machines together so that can share files". And so, the first computer network was created. This web site will introduce you to the various types of networks that are commonly available and the advantages and disadvantages of each one. A computer connected to a network is known as a 'work-station' Sharing hardware peripherals At home, your computer might be connected to its own printer and scanner. This works well as you are the only person who will be using them. Much of the time though, they probably aren't being used and just lie idle. A computer which isn't connected to a network is known as a 'stand-alone' In a school or an office, it would cost a lot of money for every computer to have its own printer and for the majority of the time, like your printer at home, it wouldn't be used. By joining computers together to form a network, they are able to share one printer. This means that more money can be spent buying a better quality printer and that the printer is being used much more of the time. Sharing files

Networks allow you to share files with other users. You might have a folder at school called the 'shared area' or something similar. This is often where teachers might put documents or resources that they want you to use during the lesson. All students can open these resources and save them to their own area, but they usually can't alter the original copies in the shared area. In many organizations, some workers might have permission to alter the documents in the shared area. This means that they can work collaboratively on a project or document and each person can update it as required. Disadvantages of networking Viruses If a virus is introduced to the network, either intentionally or unintentionally, it will rapidly spread around all of the workstations and could start to cause havoc to peoples' files or to the efficient working of the network. Network failure If the file server fails then no-one on the network can access any files or folders. This means that nobody can do any work. For an organisation, this would be extremely costly and disruptive. If a cable, hub or switch on the network fails, this would mean that any computers connected to that part of the network couldn't be used to access network resources. They could still be used as individual, stand-alone machines. Slow service As more users log onto the network and request files, send things to be printed and open more software applications, the network can start to slow down. There is only a limited amount of bandwidth and the more data that is travelling around the network, the slower things become. Cost Building a network isn't cheap. Every machine has to be connected to the network either by physical cables or perhaps by wireless technology. Every workstation needs a network interface card to enable it to be connected to the network. Other hardware such as hubs, switches and routers are often needed. Expert support required Networks need constant monitoring to ensure that the performance is maintained and that all of the components are working properly. This requires specialist staff such as network managers and technicians who will spend all of their time ensuring that the network works

efficiently whenever you need to use it. These staff adds a large cost to running a network, but without them, things would start to fail. Local Area Network (LAN) When the computers are fairly close to one another say, in a single office or two buildings that are separated by a road, they can be joined together either by cables or wireless means. These computers then form a Local Area Network (LAN). Once the computers are connected together into a LAN, many people (users) can share and use the same resources at the same time. They can share files, software, hard disks and peripherals such as a printer or CD-ROM. Users can also use the LAN to communicate with each other by e-mail. Data can be transmitted very quickly between networked computers. To log onto a LAN, you usually need a user name and password. The user name identifies you to the file server so that it can 'serve' you the correct files. The password ensures that the user name really does belong to you. Your school will probably be using a LAN network. Ask your teacher or the network technician. Question For Students Fill in the blank with the correct answer 1. 2. 3. 4. A computer connected to a network is known as _______________________. On a network your files and folders are stored _________________________. The computers on a WAN would normally be connected using ________________. One of the main advantages of a computer network means that people can share peripherals. True or False True False 5. If you use a network , you must log onto the same computer each time True False 6. The speed of the network is affected by the amount of people that are True False Using it. 7. The most likely type of network that would be used in a school would be _____________________. 8. To use a LAN your normally need to log on with a user name and password True False 9. The computers on a LAN would normally be connected using __________________. 10. If the file server fails then no one can access their work from the network True False