Properties

Facilitate communications 

Using a network, people can communicate efficiently and easily via email, instant messaging, chat rooms, telephone, video telephone calls, and video conferencing.

Share hardware 

In a networked environment, each computer on a network may access and use hardware resources on the network, such as printing a document on a shared network printer.

Permit sharing of files, data, and information 

In a network environment, authorized user may access data and information stored on other computers on the network. The capability of providing access to data and information on shared storage devices is an important feature of many networks.

Permit sharing of software 

Users connected to a network may run application programs on remote computers.

May be costly

The cost involved in setting up a computer network may be high. Factors which may contribute to the high cost of establishing a computer network may include cost of network components, hiring the services of network administrators, among other things.

May breakdown

If some of the components in a computer network break down, it may affect the performance of the entire network.

May be insecure

A computer network may be infiltrated by computer hackers, computer viruses or computer worms. It must also be noted that an enhanced network security system may also be difficult to set up.

Posted in: Networking