Networking provides numerous benefits. Networks are easier to install than ever before. In spite of the technical nature of this in-depth network coverage, just using networks is easy and the benefits quickly become obvious.
Simplified Resource Sharing
Resource sharing is easier over a network; whether the network uses a peer or client/server configuration is immaterial.
1) Shared Disk Space
Networked computers can share their hard disk space with each other. At first glance, this doesn't seem momentous; after all, many computers have large hard drives. But it's not the file-storage capabilities that are important here - it's sharing applications and files. It is satisfying to be able to find a copy of a file you require, copy it to your desktop computer, and work on it without leaving your chair.
2) Shared Applications
Although sharing files is an important reason for networking, sharing applications is another, equally important reason. Shared applications can be as prosaic as using a copy of Microsoft Word stored on another user's drive or as elaborate as a groupware application that routes data from user to user according to complex preset rules.
A groupware application (also called groupware or collaborative software) is an application that enables multiple users to work together using the network to connect them. Such applications can work serially, where (for instance) a document is automatically routed from person A to person B when person A is finished with it, or it can be software to enable real-time collaboration. IBM's Lotus Notes software is an example of the former, and Microsoft's Office has some real-time collaborative features.
3) Shared Printers
A third aspect of resource sharing is shared printers. Standalone printers-that is, printers attached to computers that aren't networked-represent a significant capital expense. Printers typically also cost a lot to run; they consume ink or toner when they print, and inkjet and toner cartridges are typically expensive.
4) Networking Is Faster
Given everything else that has been said here, it seems obvious that networking is faster than not networking. And, in fact, it is faster. Just think about it:
No more printing memos-use email!
No more running from desk to desk to check everyone's availability for a meeting-use the group calendar!
No more wondering whose Rolodex has the name of the person you need to call-you can get it from the contact database.
No more racing around from computer to computer to get the file you need-just copy or open it from the network drive.
5) Centralized Management
If you were a preschool teacher with a bevy of three-year-olds, you wouldn't try to manage them all individually. Instead, you'd try to do activities in groups. Imagine trying to fill the needs of 25 three-year-olds, each engaged in a different activity. The mind boggles at the management strategies you'd need. Most reasonable people agree that this is the case; they also agree that managing children as a group works better.
Yet a great many of these same people, faced with a computer network, continue to treat network users' needs totally outside the context of the network. All too often, system administrators wind up running from desktop to desktop, installing, fixing, and managing idiosyncratic software installations. This is extremely inefficient and it wears down the patience of the network users and the technical person whose job it is to support them.
A better solution to managing networks is to centralize management functions. Once computers are networked, there are a host of software utilities that enable the administrator to diagnose and fix problems and install and configure software.
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