Computer Network 

When computers are interconnected, data and information can be transferred from one computer to another. 

Computer network is a group of interconnected computers through transmission media to communicate and share resources like hardware, data and software. 

The computers on the network may be connected through network cables, telephone lines, infrared beams, microwaves or communication satellites. When computers are on the network, they can share hardware resources like printers, scanners, hard disks, optical drives, etc. and communicate and transfer data, information and software.

Advantages of computer network: 

1. a)    Computers on the network can share hardware like printers, hard disks, Blu-ray, disk drive, scanner, etc. among themselves. Hardware sharing is one of the major advantages of computer networks. The sharing of hardware in offices, organizations, companies, etc. reduces the economic burden on them. Although users can use the same hardware and they don't need to have individual hardware. For example, all users can use the same printer efficiently in the office, organizations or company. 

1. b)    Data and information stored in the centralized server can be shared with other computers on the network. A network user can use the files present on the server computer or other workstations directly without copying them onto a hard disk or pen drive. The network software can be loaded or installed on only the server computer on the network and can be used on client computers on the network. Network license software is cheaper than individual licensed software, so it helps to reduce expenses in offices. 

1. c)    Files can be transferred from one computer to another without using external storage devices like pen drives, optical disk, hard disk on the network. 

1. d)    The computer network enables a user to send or receive messages among the computers on the network at low price and high speed. 

1. e)    The computer network enables a computer user to access the remote database. Due to remote accessing facilities, a person can make reservation for airplanes, trains, hotels, check bank balance, withdraw money and transfer money from bank at any time from any location with the instant confirmation. 

1. f)    The resources available on the computer network can be accessed by only the authorized person. It provides a high level of security for the resources. 

1. g)    A file or data can have copies on two or more different computers, so if one of them is unavailable, the other copies could be used. That makes our network more reliable. 

1. h)    Computer networks reduce the expenses of offices, companies, organizations, etc. 

   
   

Disadvantages of computer networks: 

1. a)    If the security system of the network is not reliable, then there is a high chance of stealing of data and information on the computer network by computer hackers. 

1. b)    If the security system of network is not strong, then there is a high chance of computer viruses spreading on the computer network. 

1. c)    In case the main server of a computer network breaks down, the system becomes useless. In the case of big networks, the server should be a powerful computer, which often makes it expensive. 

1. d)    The sharing of information may leak the privacy of other clients. 

Note: Computer network is also called communication network.