Computer Network - Use of Computer Networks

Use of Computer Networks

1. Networks for companies :
Many organizations have a substantial number of computers in operation, often located far apart. For example, a company with many factoires may hava a computer at each location to keep track of inventories, monitor productivity and to do the local payroll. Management may have decided to connect them to be able to extract and correlate information about the entire company.
The issue here is resource sharing and the goal is to make all programs, equipment and especially data available to anyone on the network without regard to the physical location of the resource and the user.
A second goal is to provide high reliability by having alternative sources of supply. For example all files could be replicated on two or three machines, so that if one of them is unavilable, the other copies could be sued.

• Another goal is saving money. Small computers have much better price/performance ratio than large ones.

Another networking goal is scalability, the ability to increase system performance gradually as the workload increases.
Another goal of setting up a computer network has to do with technology. A computer network can provide a powerful communication medium among widely separated employees.

2. Networks for People :

Starting in the 1990's computer network began to start delivering services to private individuals at home. These services and the motivations for using them are quite different thatn the "corporate efficiency" model.

• Access to remote information
• Person to person communication
• Interactive entertainment

Access to remote information : Access to remote information will come in many forms. Many peoples pay their bills, manage teir bank accounts and handle their investments electronically. Home shopping is also becoming popular.

Person to person communication : Electronic mail or email is widely used by millions of people and contain audio and video as well as text.

Interactive entertainment : It may possible to select any movie or television program, in any country and have it displayed on the screen instantly. Live television may also become interactive , with the audience participating in quiz shows.