Computer Networking

 

Introduction

As computer usage develops, even the smallest of businesses can get benefit of networking to divide the cost of peripherals, such as printers and scanners, and offer access to shared information. However, the growth of wireless networks and the rising use of virtual private networks, allows a consumer to access a business' network by means of the Internet. It has not only resulted in a broader choice of solutions for the business proprietor, but also a number of additional business benefits. Networks connect things collectively. For example, the purpose of a network of roads is to allow people to expeditiously move from one place to another. Computer networks contain interlinked computer systems. The principle of networking these elements together is to share information and computing resources.

A clear example of a Computer networks is the Internet, in which millions of inhabitants access information and computer resources all over the world. Most of the people using these resources have little notion of how those resources are made available to them or what tasks are necessary to offer such resources. System and network executives possess the task of assuring that computer resources stay available. While the chores of these two different parts often convergence, it is the job of the network administrator to make sure that computers and other devoted network devices, such as repeaters, bridges, routers, and application servers, remain interconnected. To accomplish this task, the network administrator should be familiar with the software and hardware applied to efficiently join the variety of components. This familiarity should start with the idea of network types and models.

Business Networks

For a lot of businesses, the primary Computer networks they would desire will be in a single building. This is usually done by means of a local area network (LAN). The two types of LAN are - peer-to-peer and client/server.

Peer-to-peer Networks

Peer-to-peer networks join two or more computers directly, allowing them to divide files or plans. They are especially appropriate for collaborative work, fairly straightforward and relatively cheap to create. On the other hand, they can be much slower than server-based networks and are unsuitable for extremely complex networks.

Client or server Networks

Client or server networks will use one computer as a server where shared files and programs are kept in which other PCs are connected to. This central machine can be an ordinary PC, even though it is best to use a powerful computer or a purpose-built server computer. Moreover, client/server networks contain numerous advantages. As files are stored centrally, these schemes are more competent in supporting and managing data. For instance, users cannot alter files all together. You can also have relation to different kinds of computer, and can support more users constantly than you use a peer-to-peer network. Additionally, peer-to-peer systems would connect users through other users' computers, so a failure at one point in the network will have an effect on each computer connected to that network. A failure at a particular point in a client/server network will have no affect on the other computers on the network, as long as the server remains intact.

Wireless Networking Technology

Wireless networking technology can restore all or some of the wiring requisites for a network.

Benefits of Using Networks

As your business develops, good communication between workers is required. You can ameliorate competence by sharing details such as ordinary files, databases and business application software over a computer network. With betterments in network capability and the power to work wirelessly or remotely, successful businesses must frequently reconsider their requirements and their IT infrastructure. Suitably planned, effective network brings a broad range of benefits to an organization.

You can ameliorate communication by connecting your computers and working on standardized systems, so that:

The employees, providers and consumers will be able to share information and get in touch more easily

Information sharing can create your business more competent for e.g. networked accession to a common database can keep away from the same information being keyed numerous times, which would waste time and could result in errors

As employees are prepared to deal with inquiries and deliver a better standard of service, they can share details about consumers

You can decrease the expenses and can ameliorate competence by storing particulars in one centralized database and reformation operational exercises, so that:

Workers can deal with more clients at the same time by accessing client and product database

Network management can be centralized and less IT support is expected

Costs are reduce by sharing peripherals such as printers, scanners, external discs, tape drives and Internet access

In addition, you can reduce the errors by having all staff work from a particular source of information, so that standard editions of manual and directories can be made accessible, and data can be backed up from a single point on a planned basis, assuring reliability.

Preferring Cable or Wireless

Local area networks (LANs) were usually implemented using electrical system. On the other hand, wireless LANs have become easier to produce and preserve and are now offering flexible networking choices for many businesses. As with most technology solutions there are advantages and disadvantages for both the approaches. Moreover, wireless networking rejects cabling that can be predominantly helpful in new sites and older buildings where you cannot bore through the walls. Releasing the consumer from being physically attached to a network also provides much better flexibility and mobility where office based wireless employees can be networked without sitting at devoted computers, and they can continue to work although they are off-site.

On the whole wireless networks cost less to install and keep up than cabled networks. You do not need to bore holes through walls and floors to lay cables, and you don't need to rewire the office if, a department relocates. Intermittent troubles with signal quality may be practiced with wireless networks. For instance, where neighbors in the same construction uses the same wireless channels, or where the other sources of radio interventions are present. Additionally, it can be hard to obtain reliable coverage in some constructions, leading to black spots where no indication is available. Wireless networks are usually slower than cabled networks, and so in better wireless networks the backbone network will generally be cabled. Maintaining wireless networks protected can be hard. They are more vulnerable to attack than traditional cabled networks, as wireless communication can be intercepted.

Related Topics

Multimedia Networking

Home Networking

Wireless Networking

Computer Network Technology