Oct 22nd 2012, 17:11:14
Disadvantages and advantages of networks
Since the first concoction of a nexus of computational processing power in the late 1960s,
never has the practicality of networks been bought into question due to the advancements of on
going assemblages excogitating advantageous intimations for the ever changing cycle of headway
to the modern day network. Providing valuable resources to organisations, innumerable technicians
give their time to creating and perfecting a cornucopia of networks.
The advantages of networks are prominent and numerous, and very well documented. So
you might be asking yourself why there is debate over aspects of networks, from home networks
up to large corporate networks. This is due to the widespread fear that networks are essentially
never safe, due to the interlacing of computers providing an ideal environment for viruses which are
going to exploit a security loophole to contaminate multiple computers, which ultimately prevails
to high costs for companies. Once one computer in a network is infected, the virus can competently
let itself in to other computers on the network; it only takes one computer linked to yours to infect
you. This has led to concerns over the security of organisations having a system which can be taken
down with just one file.
However, networks are frequently used without such problems, as multifarious companies
never get infected due to the right hardware and software, infections can be avoided as firewalls are
going to block unwanted access. However, the cardinal advantage of networking is transferring files
to other computers on the network. This is beneficial to companies where manual file sharing has
run its course and become impractical to maintain, due to the amount of time it takes for files to get
around employees. In addition to this, many people can access a particular database at a single time
and update it simultaneously, which keeps it up-to-date. Using a network based database, users can
desert the system while another user maintains the system, a process made significantly harder if
you are using standalone computers, so users are more free time to spare time they would probably
never have had if using individual databases. Multiple users can also track changes on documents,
going into the shared drive to access the same file other users have open. This is particularly useful
to conferences, where people working in different locations can work on the same document, and
make changes which are updated in real time over WAN. Similarly, you can make files read only, so
you can stop other people making changes, while allowing them to view the file easily. Users can
cry out for technical help to, using simple IM protocols over a network.
Another advantage of networks is the ability to share resources; expensive printers would
never be given to individual employees of a company, but with networking, that one laser printer is
going to be shared among dozens of users, decreasing overall costs and counteracting the costly sum
to set up the network. This initial sum increases as the size of the network increases, but users often
say that it is well worth the cost, as the advanced technology essentially means users can say
goodbye to transferring external memory and cross over into a system where file sharing speeds
never decrease so long as it is maintained, and due to the nature of networking solutions, always
going to see new advancements in technology.
In a system of standalone computers, all files are saved on individual hard drives, and have
to be transferred to new devices if the computers are upgraded. But in networks, the file server can
tell the new computer everything that was saved on their user account, which ultimately means that
a complete file transfer is not needed. The belief that documents are saved on local hard drives is a
lie, however software common to all computers on the network is saved on the drive; both software
and the operating system need to be saved locally to ensure computers run at a reasonable speed.
Hurt computers can be removed for repair easily due to the network, as the file server ensures that
you and other users can still access files easily.
Great Britain has recently begun to understand the problems facing government networks;
we've invested £500million into upgrading the security of defence networks, which is currently
known to be susceptible to cyber attacks. This is a major disadvantage of large, private networks, as
each security measure has to be addressed to avoid a catastrophe, costing money which could go to
other causes. Security issues are commonly investigated by a third party, who "hack" the network
for the network owner, establish the problems efficiently, and quickly patch any security loopholes,
so the network is not susceptible to any viruses, backdoor Trojans and other security problems for a
long time as hacking technology advances faster than the network security. Ultimately, the risk of
your network being hacked decreases if network security is updated regularly, while the network
heart's kept protected consistently provided it is up-to-date. However, this process is known to have
been expensive, which adds more costs to the network.
While internet connections can be established through individual routers, users are often
aching for faster speeds, and networks using a router and dedicated line provide these fast speeds;
but again, the cost of setting this up is high. However, if you a part of an online company, it is likely
you're going to recuperate these costs with faster speeds, increasing income; websites which are
too slow for users is unlikely to profit, and cannot work well with other companies. Networks that
shy away from faster broadband speeds are therefore likely to profitless.
File networks accessed by multiple users can easily establish variegating levels of privileges
to different users, which means that certain groups of users can only gain access to what the admins
say they need access to, preventing privacy issues of users backing data up one external hard drives.
It also means that higher level users, such as CEOs, can access employee files where needed, to look
inside their documents in cases of suspicious activity in the workplace.
Worldwide, companies are aware of the possibilities of network, and the security problems.
We as users of these networks also understand the consequences of getting viruses on networks, as
both security and common sense are needed to avoid security breaches. Modern companies also
know the advancements of present networking technology, and how this upcoming technology is
what's going to define the way organisations work in the future. Many networks have also already
been subject to security problems, and it's due to these problems that security on other networks is
going to advance, while also becoming cheaper for smaller businesses. Advancement is yet going
on, and networks will one day be accessible for all to create.
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