Introduction
Why have networks?
The original computers were standalone computers, not connected to any other machine or device. As computers became more widely used in the military, universities and industry, the need to connect computers together became paramount.
The advantages of networking include:
- Hardware sharing, such the sharing of printers and scanners.
- Communication – the ability to send information between computers, networks and countries.
The disadvantages of networking include:
- Reduced security – each new device added to network is a new potential site of attack for a hacker.
- Increased complexity – there are more devices to configure and more devices to break
- Increased cost – networks require additional dedicated hardware to function.
