What exactly is a computer network? According to Wikipedia: “A computer network is two or more computers connected together using a telecommunication system for the purpose of communicating and sharing resources.” Arguably, network experts debate about this—they feel a computer network should be defined as a minimum of three or more computers connected together, not two.
Whether it’s a minimum of two or three computers to constitute a computer network, clearly the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. What are some of the advantages?
Let’s briefly cover the five advantages of computer networking. As Hutchinson & Sawyer brought out in Computers, Communications, & Information, the advantages of computer networks are: “sharing peripheral devices, sharing of programs and data, better communications, security of information, and access to databases.”
Sharing Peripheral Devices- Print sharing (where multiple users share the same printer) can cut operational costs. For example, large and expensive laser printers are used by multiple users within company networks. Providing a business has a network, large in-house printers can affordably be leased or purchased.
Sharing of Programs and Data- File sharing in the business environment is important, because it saves space, time, and paper. Digital files on a share drive are not only cost effective and convenient, but a company’s database is accessible to only authorized personnel and inaccessible to unauthorized personnel. Network-linked employees can share groupware and work together on shared projects. Purchasing network versions of software is yet another advantage of having a company network.
Better Communications- Schedules and task assignments can be easily shared and organized in a network. When emailing within a network, group settings and contact lists are easily kept up-to-date. Attaching scanned documents and emailing business communication is cheaper and easier than faxing information to another department at a different location.
Security of Information- When information is shared on a network and accidental data loss occurs, data recovery is much more likely to occur when working on a network. When shared information is stored on multiple computers and databases, it stands to reason that if a hard drive fails, others will have the shared information residing in another repository. Firewall appliances that are built for networks go far beyond what a consumer grade firewall can do.
Access to Databases- Typically, extensive databases (whether public or private) are shared on a network. Sophisticated databases have built-in parameters to protect the data from accidental overwrites or misuse by disgruntled employees.
As you can see, computer networks have many advantages and are understandably gaining popularity for small-medium sized businesses. It is no wonder why computer networks are notable for their cost-saving features and ease-of use for end-users worldwide. If you are concerned about your budget and need to set-up or improve your home or business computer network, call us at Genesis Global, Inc.: 1-800-908-9665. We can help you meet your networking equipment needs, as well as work with your financial budget in conjunction with getting you improved network communication devices.
Resource: Computers, Communications, & Information, 2000. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
By: Deb Jensen
Posts Tagged ‘Laser Printers’
Fast Network Printers For Multipurpose Use
November 19th, 2009
The network printers are the printers installed over the private network such as LAN; these printers are used for printing documents from various computer terminals in the network. The network can be established over the whole department or a building of an organization. These network printers make connection to the network by being installed at some specific USB port of the main computers of the central offices and take commands of printing from the various terminals connected, only if the permission from the main computer is granted.
These Printers are the multifunctional printers that offer many features within a single unit. These printers include scanner, photocopier and sometimes-even Fax machine within it. Such printers find great use in the offices as the need of buying other equipments is prevented. The other equipments, if bought separately, cost even more amount and also occupy more space. For this reason, very high performance, all-in-one printers are being used today.
These printers can be either laser printer or ink jet printers. Laser printers deliver high speed of operation while the ink jet printers are comparatively slow. Today printers are available in many configurations, types, capacity, functionality and style. Printers can be either colored or monochrome. They can be chosen on the basis of user capacity, that is, the connectivity to the terminals. A few manufacturers offer even up to 200 user terminals connectivity.
The multifunctional printers are offered by many manufacturers in the market. Some of the famous manufacturers include Brother, Canon, Copystar, Kyucera, Lexmark, NEC, OKi, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Xerox etc. The Copystar CS 1635, NEC NEFAX-805 and Sharp AR-M162 are a few of the best seller printers which are in current trend. The cost of these printers comes in the range of 600-1100$.
The printers can be selected on the basis of printing speed based on their printing requirements. The speed varies as number of pages it can print in a second along with maintaining a good quality print. Few printers come in with networking capability, if the requirement is for the whole department then printer with networking facility should be used. Their network installation is also very easy, many a times the company sends a serviceman for installing the printer.
Today network printers have become a very common device in any office department. Its utility is nowhere hidden; any user from his terminal can use them anytime. By network printer the need of buying several printers is vanished. And when these printers include scanner, copier and Fax machine, then it satisfies all the needs of an office.
Thus the multifunctional network printers are the choice of the time; these should be installed in places such as offices, companies, departments, business houses etc. The easier is the use of technology, the more is speed of operation of the system. So for making an efficient operational system there should be continuous revision in the accessories and equipments used.
By: Keith Reynolds
