What is a Network?
A network can be set up between any number of computers. Let's say that at home you have two computers that you want to network. This would be called a peer to peer network. The computer that you are accessing the files from will need to be turned on. You can have a printer attached to one of these computers and you can access that printer from the other computer. Quite a handy idea for the home office.
These two computers can be networked using rj45 cable.
They can also be networked with wireless network, and no cables need to be run between the computers.
It is also possible to network a large number of computers. We do this using a router.
Each computer has a network cable attached to the router.
Some networks have a Server. Each computer on the network can access information from this server. Using a server can be very handy, as all important information can be accessed from one computer, the other computers don't have to be turned on. The Server is left on at all times.
Security needs to be high at all times when running a server on your network. Clients use passwords to access the server.
When all the important information is on one computer it is also much quicker and easier to do backups.
- Easy access to files on other computers.
- Backups can all be done from one computer.
- Only one computer needs to have a CD/DVD burner, fax, scanner or printer.
- View movies on one computer, having accessed it from another.
- Keep pictures on one computer, allow other computers to access those pictures.
