Advantages & Disadvantages of Networks

• Data can be pooled and therefore accessed by a wide range of users. This helps to ensure data integrity.

• Hardware resources such as printers and scanners can be shared. This is a much more cost effective solution than providing each user with their own set of peripheral devices.

• Software resources can be shared. One version of the software can be purchased and installed centrally which cuts down on management needs.

• Security is centralised and so improved. The network manager can control access by setting access rights and user permissions and by auditing computer use etc.

• Back up procedures are easier to complete if centrally located and managed. Instead of each user being responsible for backing up their data, the network manager will take responsibility for running regular back-ups and recoveries.

• Setting up a network is more costly than running a group of standalone computers. In addition to the stations a central server is needed.

• Networks are particularly vulnerable to viruses. If one machine is‘infected’, it is easier for this infection to spread than would be the case in a standalone environment.

• Network management requires a degree of specialist knowledge and this will mean employing a network manager for this purpose.

• Networks are vulnerable to crashes and if the network crashes you cannot use any of the computers.

• Networks require more maintenance. There are more things that can go wrong, cables can break, network files can be corrupted, the system can be jammed due to network traffic. Staff have to be employed to complete this maintenance.