networking curriculum
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networking > why set up a network?

Why set up a network?

It is worth considering a network wherever more than a few computers are needed. There are many significant benefits to networking PCs, mainly related to capabilities, convenience, communication and cost. Networks offer many advantages to people and organisations, regardless of whether the network involves two computers at home, six computers in an office, or ten thousand computers scattered across the globe.

We look at some of the core reasons for setting up computer networks:

• Communications
• Sharing:
    - Information
    - Equipment
    - Resources and Services

Communications

Communication is the lifeblood of any organisation. No organisation can ever be too efficient or effective with this, and networks are great for communication purposes.

1. Email
2. Online chat
3. Videoconferencing
4. Browse the net

Sharing information

The main attraction of networking is the ability to share information. Here are some ways networks can help.

1. File sharing - collaborative documents
2. Intranet
3. Group Calendaring
4. World Wide Web
5. FTP
6. Virtual private networks

Sharing equipment

Networking saves money by sharing expensive devices between computers. On a network, you can let any number of computers share a single resource such as an Internet connection, a printer, a software licence or a download cache.

Just about all networks of any size have one or more servers, powerful central computers that offer services to workstations, which are computers connected to the network.

1. Sharing Hardware
2. Sharing Software

Sharing resources and services

Networks offer centralised services for all users. It is far easier to manage important services from a central location than it is to install and maintain them on hundreds of stand-alone computers.

1. Centralized file saving
2. Centralised backups
3. Centralised virus scanning
4. Centralised help using remote control
5. Centralised software deployment
6. Centralised Internet provision
7. Centralised Internet Address allocation (DHCP)

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